Muay Thai Education System
WMC – IFMA- iGLA
1. Introduction
The WMC – IFMA – IGLA program means the study of Muaythai whereby the instructor uses the IGLA teaching material and media as a means of instruction. Therefore, the instructor must have a full understanding of the teaching material contained herein and know how to actually apply Muaythai in real-world practice. Through the lesson plan of WMC – IFMA – IGLA program, students are able to see a 360 degree animated view of all moves and techniques, and are also able to watch it repeatedly. Moreover, all the strengths, weaknesses and vital points which could happen during practice or when applying a move or technique for a fight must be emphasized by the instructor.
For each Level of the instruction, the instructor must thoroughly understand all teaching procedures and methods of how to warm up in Muaythai style. Also, the instructor must know how to provide various activities using the instruction taught in class, and the most important thing is to evaluate all the strudents afterwards.
There are 3 levels of Instruction Models under WMC-IFMA-IGLA:
Fundamental Level consists of 6 Khan
Intermediate Level consists of 1 Khan
Advanced Level consisst of 2 Khan
The instruction model of the art of Wai Kru Art (Obeisance to the teacher, part of the pre-fight ritual) is as important as the instruction model of the fighting skill or the tactics itself due to the worship of parents, masters and a spiritual belief which the leaner reveres. Besides, it also helps to maintain the traditions of Muaythai.
2. Study period of each Level
| Khan | Subject Matter | Number of Moves | Qualifying Session ( 2 hour/session ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – On Guard | 12 | |
| – Movement to various directions | |||
| – Wai Kru (Basic) | 8 | ||
| 2 | – Punching | 8 | 12 |
| – Defending Punching | 5 | ||
| 3 | – Kicking | 16 | |
| – Push Kick | 9 | ||
| – Kicks | 9 | ||
| – Defending Kick | 5 | ||
| 4 | – Kneeing | 14 | 12 |
| – Defending Knee | 4 | ||
| 5 | – Elblowing | 12 | 12 |
| – Defending Elblow | 4 | ||
| 6 | – Basic of Self Protectinh | 25 | 16 |
| 7 | – Punching Techniques | 7 | 24 |
| – Kicking Techniques | 7 | ||
| – Kneeing Techniques | 7 | ||
| – Elblowing Techniques | 7 | ||
| 8 | – Puching Strategies | 10 | 24 |
| – Kicking Strategies | 6 | ||
| – Kneeing Strategies | 3 | ||
| – Elblowing Strategies | 4 | ||
| 9 | – The Art of Wai Kru | 18 | 16 |
| Total | 172 | 144 | |
3. The procedure of Muaythai instruction using IGLA instruction Material within a period (2 hours)
1. Preparation Stage (20 minutes):
In the preparation procedure the students must prepare both their body and mind. The instructor starts the lesson by motivating students, looking after the student’s costume and warming them up according to Muaythai practice.
2. Teaching (20 minutes):
In the teaching stage the instructor will demonstrate various movements which will be instructed in the class. However, according to the instruction model under WMC-IGLA program, the instructor will show an animation of Muaythai moves to the students. While explaining and pointing out all distinctive points, flaws and cautions, the instructor will demonstrate all moves as an example.
3. Practice Stage (40 minutes):
In the practice procedure the students will practice all Muaythai moves after the animation while the instructor will give advice and suggest improvements. If the students make any mistakes, the instructor has to make sure that every student will practice all movements correctly and powerfully.
4. Applying (30 minutes)
In the applying procedure the instructor can assign students to demonstrate the moves or to play games or other activities related to the skill they have just leaned, to check whether the students can perform correctly and appropriately or not. Also, the instructor must watch out carefully not to let students get hurt or injured.
5. Evaluation (10 minutes)
In the conclusion and evaluation procedure the instructor will summarize all crucial points learned and give advice to students in order for them to practice and then make an evaluation which could be observed and examined through an interview.
4. Patterns of evaluation
Evaluation is divided into 3 parts
1.Knowledge Evaluation is to evaluate all the knowledge, understanding, appreciation, benefit and limitation of special skills which could be evaluated through the following elements:
– Be able to explain all skills
– Be able to describe all the value or benefit of the skill
– Be able to tell all the limitations of the skill
2. Attitude Evaluation is the feeling or the attitude towards admiration and appreciation of the sport which the student was instructed in, also, the attention and interest for learning and practicing, and the observance of the sport culture and custom including the understanding of “Fair Play”.
This aspect can be evaluated from these following aspects.
– Coming regularly to class
– Following all the rules, regulations and customs of Muaythai.
– Treating the instructor with respect, having good relationships with the instructor and other students and being able to cope with other leaners.
3. Skill Evaluation is to evaluate students whether they can perform correctly and skillfully. This skill Evaluation consist of 3 elements
– Precision of movements
– Toughness, nimbleness and agility
– Harmonized movements
5. Student Evaluation Form
| Level | Khan | Subject Matter |
|---|
| Knowledge Evolution (100) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Explaining all the moves (40) | Describing all the value or benefit of the skill (40) | Explaining the limitation of the movements (20) |
| Attitude Evaluation (100) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Learning attentively (60) | Following all rules, regulations and custom of Muaythai (20) | Respecting instructor and senior (20) |
| Skill Evaluation (100) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Precision of movements (50) | Harmonized movements (20) | Toughness / Nimbleness(30) |
6. Evaluation methods
An instructor or specialist evaluates students by observing, interviewing or testing and marks the point, then find the average value of each evaluation.
7. Judging criteria
Students must score at least 80 percent in order to pass standards.
8. Evaluator
Evaluator of Muaythai Learning Skill under WMC- IFMA – IGLA program must be a highly qualified Muaythai instructor by WMC, IFMA or by any sport organizations recognized by WMC or IFMA, and have received Qualified Muaythai instructions from:
C. Khru License
B. Phu Chuay Khru Yai License
A. Khru Yai
But for Khru Chiew Charn (grand master) and Baromma Khru (great master) which is an honorary position can clearly evaluate every level of Muaythai learning result.
By Learning Muaythai under the WMC – IFMA – IGLA program, an instructor with either license must inform students of which Muaythai level they are in, and also give them a Prajiad (arm bands), the Mongkol (Head band) and certificate according to their Muaythai level. Later, the institute will contact the WMC – IGLA office and send them the name list of the approved students and their levels so that WMC – IGLA office could prepare and send all the requested Prajiad (arm bands)and Mongkol (head band) for all students.
One most important things that the instructor or the institute must do is to inform the students before they finish level nine that they must at least once join the Spiritual Ceremony of Phra Chao Suea (Tiger King) and the Wai khru Ceremony on the annual World Muaythai day for their own good luck as they are learning Muaythai. These two significant ceremonies take place every year in Bangkok, Thailand. Additionally, every student must have their own official Muaythai uniform i.e. Muaythai shorts, shirt, Mongkol and Prajiad.