Muay Thai Shooting Drills

There are three main drills for Muay Thai shooting. Those are top, mod and lower level styles of shooting. This article will bring you specific drills for each type of shooting plus drills to use for any style shooting.

1. Top-Shelf Shooting This is the technique for shooting an opponent up high. It is the least effective, but if your opponent has an exceptional take down defense, this may be the way to go. The drill consists of using a live sparring partner or a Muay Thai grappling bag. The drill will have you either leading with a punch or forward kick and then shooting the upper shoulder area (armpits) and throwing your opponent to the ground, mounting and working ground and pound or submission. Run this technique over and over for consistency, three to five times within ten reps.
2. Resistance Running (Burst) With a parachute or resistance band around your waist, use this drill to work quick movement and thrusting towards the opponent. The drill consists of you from a stand still bursting towards an imaginary opponent or Muay Thai bag. The idea of this drill is to work the leg muscles and to get you muscles in shape for quick agile movement when you burst towards the opponent to shoot for a take down.
3. Mid-Shelf Shooting A more effective means of shooting your opponent is to the waist area. Attacking the center of their balance will aid in taking them down, which is the goal of shooting. This drill will use a Muay Thai Bag or sparring opponent. This drill consists of shooting the midsection of the opponent and wrestling him to the ground. This can be done by bull rushing or by a Muay Thai throw. Work this drill at ten shoots per three repetitions.
4. Resistance Crawl Place a resistance band around your waist and secure it tightly. This drill will have you moving against the resistance bands on your hands and toes. Crawl against the band in quick burst will all your energy. This drill will work your legs and toes, which are both important components to successful shooting. Do this drill at a pace of one minute pushing forward had for five repetitions.
5. Bottom-Shelf Shooting This is the drill with a sparring partner or heavy bag that works the most effective part of your body: your legs. The idea with this drill is to grab your opponent’s legs, lift and run them into the mat. The drill should be a swift and continuous motion. Capture the legs and move through the opponent until they are grounded or backed against the cage. This drill is the most effective shooting mechanism for the Muay Thai fighter.