shin hurts like hell

[topdude]

Help anyone. How is it that you can withstand all those attacks? I been in muay thai for a little bit now and even though I can kick the heavey bag like nothing it still hurts so much when my shin clashes against someone elses. So in the end, I end up flinching away. Is there a better way? What can I do? What did you do?

[SoKKlab]

Hello TopDude person,
Well I could say that you could bash your shins with Coke Bottles filled with sand or bits of 4x4 etc, but Deadening the nerves in the shins is not something I particularly like to suggest to people these days.

Hokay your first port of call is to look at the positioning and methodology of your Leg shield/ Kao Bun Shin blocks.

The easiest thing to do in reducing the impact, is learning to Flex the Foot upwards at the point of impact, so that when you are about to block with the toes pointing down, flex toes and foot upwards.

try it now by holding your hand over your shin to feel the difference, do you feel how the muscles of your shins are brought into play to make a cushion??

If you look at Classical Muay Thai practices such as Three strides walk, the foot is flexed to block.

After you've learnt to do that and get better at taking impact, you can start to look at Angles and positioning of your blocking shin/ knee etc.

Also at a later stage you may wish to look into alternatives to Blocking every kick to your legs with a shin block. For example the movements such as 'Stop the Army', sometimes called 'Virun Hok Klab (Bird Somersaults)and 'Neb (Pecking Kick).

'Stop the Army' is basically using a Push front kick to the kicking leg of your adversary to stop their forward motion and off-balance them (immediately punch their face when they jolt forward).

Neb is another version but is often done as a stabbing peck with the ball of the foot or the toes into the soft meat of the thighs, stomach, groin etc.

Each has its merits, best to learn to do Push kick to the leg with the heel/ flat of the foot first and then use variations from there.

I tend to do the Push kick to the leg in two ways, one is to do it with your furthest away leg from the incoming kick, so that you are kicking across your body (Their Right Roundhouse-Your Right Push kick), I also sometimes do it with the inside leg, with a slight sidetsep to gain distance.

Don't Forget to turn your Kicking foot outwards at least at a 45 degree angle, otherwise you'll often sprain your instep/ ankle from the impact.

Anyways, these are just some ideas and a couple of examples, hopefully they help. Good Luck and don't forget-Comfrey oil for the Bones and Arnica for Bruising.

[topdude]

oh ok thanks & i suppose when I kick I pull my foot up in the same way?

[MuayKiDo]

I have my partner kick me with protecting shinpads, while I wear none. This way, he can kick harder, and I learn which parts of my shin are best fit for blocking. And about pulling your toes up while kicking: some teachers say yes, others no. Yes because it softens the impact for the kicker, no because when you don't, your shins will get stronger faster (what a useless sentence!). Try it out ourself and see what situations are best for pulling yer toes up while kicking. Good luck :)

[JamDaMan]

When you shin block you should remember not ot raise your leg too high-keep it relatively low. This will give you a more solid block. Also it will help you to block with the part of your shin just below your knee, which is the part of the shin which naturally has the least sensation.

[topdude]

oh ok that means the thicker part of my shin then.
I'm more worried about kicking back. At least wit blocks I can grab them and buy some time.

[Sagat]

Deadening the nerves in the shins is not something I particularly like to suggest to people these days.


why wouldnt u suggest deadening the nerves? isnt that how its supposed to be?

just a newb question :D

[SoKKlab]

I have my partner kick me with protecting shinpads, while I wear none. This way, he can kick harder, and I learn which parts of my shin are best fit for blocking. And about pulling your toes up while kicking: some teachers say yes, others no. Yes because it softens the impact for the kicker, no because when you don't, your shins will get stronger faster (what a useless sentence!). Try it out ourself and see what situations are best for pulling yer toes up while kicking. Good luck :)

Er, I said Blocking, flex the foot, so that the toes come up when blocking, so that the muscles of the shin take some of the venom out of the stop. This is just one way of softening the blow. If you so choose.

Sagat: I personally don't suggest beating the shins with wood etc, anymore. Pads and Bags are enough to give most people all the deadening they need, unless you are a serious competitor and fighting at world level.

Just my opinion, others will say different, anybody reading this, please wait til yr bones are mature before wacking anything into yr shins, if at all.

Bon Chance.

[topdude]

Sokklab:

When I kick back do I also pull up my toes the same way?

[SoKKlab]

Sokklab:

When I kick back do I also pull up my toes the same way?

No. Point the Toes until you are good enough and Confident enough to be able to throw the kick any old how and land it, if at all.

You do occassionally see people throwing the Roundhouse with the Foot flexed, but personally I don't recommend it-unless you are World Champ sort of level, just look to lamp them with your shin as hard as you can, with the toes pointed.

You want Big Bone cutting impact when throwing the Kick and Shin Muscle cushioning (Hence Flexion) when Blocking/ Absorbing.

This is obviously optional, you don't have to flex the foot upwards on impact, but it does help with Catching their leg on the shin/ trough of the Instep and kneeing/ throwing them etc.

Does that help? Did I understand you correctly?
Good Luck.

[topdude]

Sokklab:

Yes! Loud and clear. Thank you so much.