In Jow Ga ,and I believe most traditional martial arts, We are closer to this version of Muay Thai
1. Train forms
2. Understand Applications in forms - All students are randomly quizzed to explain application from the form
3. Drill Application - This is where most kung fu students stop.
4. Spar - At this point you have a handful that are serious about this.
5. Spar using technique from Drill
6. Spar using technique from Form - At this point you only get those who want to venture into fighting function of the system. Most of the people you see doing kung fu sparring or fighting are not at this level.
7. Spar using variation of technique application.
The majority of kung fu students are happy with 1 - 3.
To show you just how similar.
Muay Thai Boran has a Punching form. Jow Ga has a punching form. I will give you the kung Fu equivalent the techniques here.
@:36 Lead jab or in Jow Ga simply "punch" I've shown videos of this training my son. In Jow Ga we do not cover our head with the other hand.
@ :49 in Jow Ga and other systems lead punch into thrust punch.
@ :1:23 Jow Ga and other systems Reverse punch
@ 2:00 Jow Ga and other systems Hammer fist.
@ 2:19 uppercut Jow Ga and some other systems Pow Choy. We can throw single has show or use a big wheel motion.
@2:42 overhand In Jow Ga Kup Choy But we do not hit with the knuckles that they are striking with, but it takes the same path. Some of you guys in this forum may have seen me do similar punches in my videos.
@3:18 In Jow Ga this would be a Luk Choy
@3:26 Same punch they are just doubling up on it.
@3:36 Jow Ga this is a Pow Choy to the body
@4:12 Pak Guerk. This is a very common kick in Chinese martial arts.
@ 4:56 Double punches. We have one that is horizontal and one that is vertical like this but it's practiced in horse stance in the form I don't remember I don't think it's in any of the forms I know. Maybe it's in some of the advanced forms
@ 5:31. Shadowless kick with punch similar to the video below.
We are far from the Muay Thai that you have in mind..