KIDS MUAY THAI - SHORTS TESTS AND RANKING SYSTEM
Ranking in Muay Thai
Traditionally, Muay Thai has no ranking system. Because it is a fight sport, similar to boxing, a practitioner’s skill is based on: the number of fights he/she has fought, the competition he/she has faced, and the outcome of the fights. In Thailand, children as young as five fight full rules Muay Thai in professional bouts. For many children, this is a way to escape poverty for themselves and their families.
Ranking at Juniper Muay Thai
We understand that our students are not fighting Muay Thai to escape poverty, that they do not train 5 hours a day, or live and sleep at the gym. Therefore, we have created a ranking system for our youth Muay Thai that feels authentic and practical. The goal of this system is to give students a goal to strive towards--a clear path on how to improve their confidence, grit, and Muay Thai abilities.
Unlike many karate and Taekwondo dojos, this is not a money making scheme, nor are rank increases guaranteed based on age, attendance, or financial support of the gym. The only additional fee we will charge for the completion of a rank increase is the cost of the Muay Thai shorts.
Our Program
We offer Muay Thai to kids between the ages of 7 and 13. Kids age 4-6 are accepted on a case by case basis.
The goal of our program is two-fold:
1. Build confidence and grit;
2. Teach practical Muay Thai technique.
The students will fail before succeeding. They may cry or feel frustrated. Muay Thai is not an easy sport. However, the technique is 100% applicable for real life situations and confrontation. They will gain confidence and learn that they are much tougher than they think.
Shorts Ranking
We will rank students based on three shorts colors: blue, red, and black. ‘Shorts Tests’ will be held periodically, separate from class. Advancement will be based on two separate categories: Technique & Attitude.
Respect and Tradition
Students are expected to know and show basic respect and understanding of Muay Thai tradition. Students must ‘wai in’ at the beginning of class--a Thai bow showing respect to your trainer. Students should raise their hands during class, refer to their coaches as ‘Coach’, and be respectful to their teammates. Basic stuff!