Muay Thai Weapons Muay Thai is known as "The Art of Eight Limbs". This is due to the fact that it uses two hands, two shins, two elbows, two knees. It utilizes many of the same punching techiques as in Western Boxing plus a whole lot more. Watch this exciting Video Muay Thai Boxers use the following "weapons" in the sport:
Punches: Jab - A quick, straight punch thrown with the lead hand from the guard position. The jab is accompanied by a small rotation of the torso and hips. The fist becomes horizontal upon impact. As the punch reaches full extension, the lead shoulder is brought up to guard the chin. The rear hand remains close to the face to protect the jaw. After the punch the lead hand is retracted quickly to resume a guard position in front of the face. The jab is the most important punch in a boxer's arsenal. It provides its own cover and it leaves only a small space for an opponents counterpunch. It has the longest reach of any punch and does not require commitment or large weight transfers. It is used as a tool to gauge distances, probe an opponent's defenses, and set up heavier, more powerful punches. A half-step may be added, moving the entire body into the punch, for additional power. Cross - A powerful straight punch thrown with the rear hand. From the guard position, the rear hand is thrown from the chin. The rear shoulder is thrust forward and finishes just touching the outside of the chin. At the same time, the lead hand is retracted and raised to protect the chin. For additional power, the torso and hips rotate as the cross is thrown. Weight is also transferred from the rear to the lead foot. Body rotation and weight transfer gives the cross its power. After the cross is thrown, the hand is retracted quickly into the guard position. The cross can follow a jab, creating the classic one-two combination. The cross is also called a straight or right. Hook - A semi-circular punch thrown with the lead hand to the side of the opponent's head. From the guard position, the elbow is drawn back with a horizontal fist (knuckles pointing forward) and the elbow bent. The rear hand is tucked against the jaw to protect the chin. The torso and hips are rotated , propelling the fist through a tight, arc across the front of the body and connecting with the target. At the same time, the lead foot pivots, turning the left heel outwards. Following contact the lead hand is quickly returned to the guard position. The hook may also be thrown with the rear hand. Uppercut - A vertical, rising punch thrown with the rear hand. From the guard position, the torso shifts slightly to the right, the rear hand drops below the level of the opponent's chest and the knees are bent slightly. From this position, the rear hand is thrust upwards towards the opponent's chin or torso. At the same time the torso and hips rotate and the rear heel turns outward, as with the cross. The use of the uppercut depends on its ability to lift the opponent off balance before successive attacks. Elbow Strikes: Elbow strikes are very unique weapons that make Muay Thai different from other martial arts sports. Elbows in Muay Thai can give very severe injuries to the opponent as it will be used to attack when opponent is closer distance and the major targets of elbows are generally head facial areas including jaw, temple, neck and so on. Using elbows is very flexible, you can move or swing elbow in any direction to attack, both vertically and horizontally but different method will give different impact to the attack. There are eight main moves of Muay Thai elbow strikes:
Knee Strkes: Watch this video to view proper knee strike technique Kicks: This basic Muay Thai kick uses the shin not the foot as the weapon. The leg is swung against the target, while the hips and trunk are simultaneously twisted in the same direction as the swing. The roundhouse kick has three areas of target: the low kick, which aims for the side of the thigh, calf or behind the knee, the mid kick which aims for the ribs and the high kick which aims for the chin, temple or neck Low Kicks: If your opponent aims a high kick towards your neck then kick low. You can knock them down as the technique is faster. If you receive low kick from your opponent it could be an opportunity for a back elbow. Low kicks can used at any time. Swing the leg (it is not the same as kicking a football), imagine you are sweeping the floor with your leg. Push Kick: The teep is a push kick that can be used for both defense and attack. It is similar to the jab for keeping an opponent at bay and is good for knocking their balance. In general a foot thrust is quickly followed by some other form of attack. Use the front leg as it is quicker to deploy. Place your toes in your opponent's sternum, or if you kick their leg use the heel. If you kick their face use the heel- but their will not be so many opportunities to do this. You cannot easily knock out an opponent with this technique, but it can be used to put off your opponent's attack. If they are trying to kick it may be possible to push them over while they are swinging their leg. Throwdowns/Clinchwork: An art within Thai boxing covers grappling and clinch work. This involves grappling while standing up and trying to knee the sides or stomach, and to pull the head down while bringing up the knee. Throw downs must be clean: trips, sweeps or hip throws are not allowed. The Muay Thai fighter has fearful arsenal of knee strikes at his diposal as well as numerous throws and fighting holds - including neck hoolds, trunk holds and limb holds. In Thailand grappling and clinch work are some of the most important aspects of muay Thai, an area all fighters spend exhausting hours in the gym practising. In compettion a lot of the time your opponent will want to grab you to set up a knee or elbow strike. When your opponent goes hard you should relax, then begin to pull as your opponent relaxes. Try to hold the neck this has advantage, don’t keep moving your hands if you have the better position. If you have the neck then pull down (even if you can use only one), keep your legs wide. Strike with the knees whenever you can. If you cannot knee anymore then drop your opponent by pulling down while they are on one leg, as they knee strike you. There is a very well known saying regarding Muay Thai techniques: "Kick loses to punch, punch loses to knee, |
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