The Martial art of Muay Thai has its own unique techniques. It consists of the use of nine weapons. The head, fists, elbow, knee and feet are collectively known as Na-wa arwud. But today the use of head is no longer allowed in the Muay Thai fights. In Muay Thai small amount of grappling is used (The Clinch) for both defending and attacking purpose. Muay Thai techniques are divided into two groups: Mae Mai or Major techniques and Luk mai or Minor techniques. All techniques in Muay Thai use the entire body movement, rotating the hip partially or fully with every punch, kick and block. This is the reason which sets Muay Thai apart from other forms of martial art.
Punching Techniques: (Chok)
English-Thai
Straight punch-Mud Dhrong
Hook-Mud Wjang San
Swing-Mud Wjang Yao
Spinning Back fist-Mud Wjang Glab
Upper Cut-Mud Seub
Cobra Punch-Kra-Dod Chok
Over Head Punch-Mud Khouk
The judges in Muay Thai fights scores less to the fighters for the punching techniques as they are generally less effective and powerful than kicks or knee strikes. Body punching is also used less in Muay Thai as it exposes the fighters head to the strikes of knee or elbow from the opponent.
Elbow Techniques: (Dhee Sork)
English-Thai
Elbow Slash-Sork Dhee
Horizontal Elbow-Sork Dhad
Upper Cut Elbow-Sork Ngad
Forward elbow Thrust-Sork Poonk
Reverse Horizontal elbow-Sork wjang Glab
Spinning Elbow-Sork Glab
Elbow Chop-Sork Sap
Double Elbow Chop-Sork Glab Koo
Mid Air Elbow Strike-Gra-Dode Sork
The elbow is used in seven ways in Muay Thai, horizontally, diagonal upwards, diagonal downwards, uppercut, downward, backward spinning and flying. The elbow is also used from the sides as a finishing move or to cut the opponents’ eyebrow so that he bleeds. Bleeding blocks the vision and also affects the fighter’s performance.
Kicking Techniques: (Dhe)
English-Thai
Straight Kick-Dhe Dhrong
Nutcracker Kick-Dhe Paa Maak
Round house Kick-Dhe Dhad
Diagonal Kick-Dhe Chivang
Half-spin, half knee kick-Dhe Krueng Kheng Krueng Kao
Spinning hill Kick-Dhe Glab Lang
Down Round house kick-Dhe Kod
Axe Hill Kick-Dhe Khouk
Jump kick-Gra Dode Dhe
Step Up Kick-Yiep Dhe
The most common kick in Muay Thai are Foot Jab (Theep) and the Kick (Tae), upward in the shape of a triangle targeting the ribs and arms (Chieng). This angle kick in Muay Thai has been adopted by many other forms of martial arts as it is very effective.
The round house kick is almost similar to the kicks used in karate or taekwondo. Many Muay Thai fighters also use a counter rotation of his arms to enhance the power of his kick. A Muay Thai fighter is always taught to hit with his shin. Although the shin is very sensitive for an untrained person the shin is the strongest part of the leg than the foot as it contains fine bones and is much weaker.
Knee Techniques: (Dhe kao)
English-Thai
Straight Knee Strike-Kao Dhrong
Diagonal Knee Strike-Kao Chijang
Curving Knee Strike-Kao Kouwng
Horizontal Knee Strike-Kao Dhad
Knee Slap-Kao Dhob
Knee Bomb-Kao Youwn
Flying Knee Strike-Kao Loi
Step up Knee Strike-Kao Yiep
Other Knee Techniques:
• Kao Dode: (Jumping Knee Strike) Jump on one leg and strike with that legs knee.
• Kao Loi: (Flying Knee Strike) Take step(s), jump forward and off one leg and strike with that legs knee.
• Kao Tone: (Straight Knee Strike) Thrusts it forward. Not upward unless the fighter is holding opponents head down in a clinch and intend to knee upward into the face.
• Kao Noi: (Small knee Strike) Hitting the inside upper thigh (above the knee) of the opponent while clinching.
Foot Thrust Techniques: (Theep)
English-Thai
Straight Foot Thrust-Teep Dhrong
Sideways Foot Thrust-Teep Kang
Reverse Foot Thrust-Teep Glab Lang
Slapping Foot Thrust-Teep Dhob
Jumping Foot Thrust-Gra Dode Teep
It is also known as ‘Push Kicks’ and is commonly used in Muay Thai. It is mainly used to attack opponents’ attack, and get the opponent off balance.
Fighters in The Arm Clinch Position:
There is a difference in Muay Thai from the western Boxing. During the arm clinch position the fighters are separated in western boxing; however they are not in Muay Thai.
There are several clinching techniques in Muay Thai including:
• Arm Clinch
• Side Clinch
• Low Clinch and
• Swan Neck.
Defensive techniques against attack:
It as categorized into six groups:
• Blocking: Defenders hard block to stop a strike in its path, so preventing it reaching its target.
• Redirection: Defenders soft parries to change the directions of a strike so that it misses its target.
• Avoidance: Moving a body part swiftly out of the way or range of a strike, making the position of the opponent for a counter strike.
• Evasion: Moving the body out of the way or range of a strike.
• Disruption: Pre-aiming an attack.
• Anticipation: Defender catching a strike or countering it before it strike.
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