Safely and Successfully Holding Thai Pads for Muay Thai: A Guide for Beginners

Holding Thai pads for Muay Thai requires proper technique to ensure the safety of both the pad holder and the person practicing their strikes. Here is a basic guide on how to hold Thai pads for Muay Thai:

1. Start by selecting the right size of pads. The pads should be long enough to cover the forearm and the elbow, and wide enough to cover the palm and fingers.
2. Stand in a comfortable stance, with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. The pad holder should be slightly angled to the side to absorb the impact of the strikes.
3. Use proper grip: When holding the pads for punch striking, use a closed grip with your fingers wrapped around the handle of the pads. This will help you to maintain a secure grip and ensure that the pads don't slip out of your hands. Your thumb should be placed on the same side as your fingers, wrapped around the handle of the pad. This grip is often referred to as a "closed grip" or a "monkey grip," and it is the most secure and stable way to hold the pads.
4. Wrapping your thumb around the handle of the pad alongside your fingers helps to create a solid grip that allows you to absorb the impact of the strikes without the pads slipping or moving around too much. This grip also helps to protect your wrist and forearm from injury, as it helps to distribute the force of the strike more evenly across your hand.
5. Make sure to communicate with the person striking the pads before starting. This will help ensure that they understand which strikes to perform and how to perform them safely.
6. When holding the pads for punching, keep them at shoulder height and slightly in front of your body. Instead of holding pads vertically, it is recommended to maintain a slight angle towards the floor. This technique can help to absorb the impact of strikes more effectively, decrease pressure on the shoulder joint, and reduce the risk of injury. This can be especially important during longer training sessions or when working with heavier hitters.
7. As the striker performs the strikes, the pad holder should absorb the impact of the strikes by pivoting on the balls of their feet, turning their body slightly, and bending their knees. Don’t confuse this movement with striking back. The pad holder should aim to absorb the strike with their forearm and elbow, rather than their hands or shoulders.
8. After each strike, the pad holder should quickly return the pads to the starting position, ready for the next strike.

Remember, safety is the top priority when holding Thai pads for Muay Thai. Always make sure to communicate with your training partner, wear appropriate protective gear, and follow proper technique when holding the pads.