Basic Muay Thai Techniques

The Martial art of Muay Thai has its own unique techniques.

Punching Techniques: ( Chok)

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)
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.

Kicking Techniques: (Dhe)
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). A Muay Thai fighter is always taught to hit with his shin.

Knee Techniques: (Dhe kao)
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 Tone: (Straight Knee Strike) Thrusts it forward.

Foot Thrust Techniques: (Theep)
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. There are several clinching techniques in Muay Thai including:

- Arm Clinch
- Side Clinch
- Low Clinch and
- Swan Neck.

Anticipation: Defender catching a strike or countering it before it strike.

A.   Ancient Muay Thai(thai Boxing)

Muay Boran is the Other name of Ancient Thai Boxing. It is a traditional form of Muay Thai which is still taught and practiced in Thailand. Muay Boran is still practiced and taught in order to preserve the Boxing Techniques from Muay Thai’s History before the introduction of formalized rules and the introduction of gloves in the 1930s. Muay Boran is the ancestor of the modern day Muay Thai Boxing.

The late Arjarn Samai Messamarn from the Buddhai Swan Institute in Thailand was able to make a study of the Thai empty hand system using the scant resources available in Thailand. Only two records of the techniques, hand-painted on parchment now exist. Arjarn Samai’s son, Arjarn Werayut Messamarn recently visited England bringing with him one of these unique documents.

Most people recognize this period in the history of Muay Thai as fighters used to wrap their hands in cotton twine. Today, people refer to this style of fighting (during this period) as “Muay Kaad Chuak” although at the time, this isn’t the term people used. Although the government of the time prohibited this style of fighting(with wrapped hands) people still continued to practice the arts and fight underground.

Eventually, by introducing rules, and providing fighters with better protection, competition became safer, and the sport of Muay Thai was born. Here are some information of the techniques used: Technique 6 (Buddhai Swan) - The boxer grabs the opponent’s neck twisting him from side to side, and then throwing a knee to the opponent’s body, finally the boxer will push the opponent away finishing with a high kick to the opponent’s neck.

From the 60 major techniques in the Buddhai Swan syllabus there are other minor techniques plus many different variations and additional moves that can follow on from the main techniques. Besides the Buddhai Swan techniques, we have uncovered at least another 60 different techniques from various sources including Arjarn Yodthong from the Sityodthong Camp, Arjarn Panya Kraitus author of the book “Muay Thai Most Distinguished Art of Fighting”, the late Khun Bunyuen Suvanatdha former head of the Amateur Muay Thai Association of Thailand and Kru Lang of the Sitpralang Camp in Ayuddhaya.

The discovery of Muay Boran in the West has taken us on a journey back through time.

B.   Muay Thai-thai Kickboxing

Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing has been described as the world’s toughest ring sport and is one the most lethal forms of martial art. Malaysians call it Tomoi, Muay Lao in Laos, Lethwei to Burmese and Pradal Serey in Cambodia.

Punching techniques or Chok are similar to Western boxing: the straight punch (Mud Trong), Mud Wiang San or hook, the swing- Mud Wiang Yao, the uppercut Mud Seuy, Cobra Punch or Kra-dod Chok, and the undercut or Mud Hook. Teh, or kicking techniques are an essential part of Muay Thai combat. It consists of the straight kick Teh Trong, the roundhouse Teh Tud, diagonal kick Teh Chiang, the shin-knee kick Teh Krueng Kheng Krueng Kao, the down roundhouse kick Teh Kod, the axe heel kick Teh Kao, jump kick Gra-dodeh Teh, step-up kick Kha Yiep The, and the spectacular spinning heel kick Teh Glub Lang.

The dangerous Neb or pecking kick is an often executed Muay Thai kick and is very similar to the straight kick. Clinching in Muay Thai involves putting one’s hands behind the head of the opponent and pulling it downwards. The different knee strikes are the Kao Trong or straight knee strike, the Kao Chiang or diagonal knee strike, Kao Kong curving knee strike, Kao Tud horizontal knee strike, Kao Tod knee slap, Kao Youwn knee bomb, Kao Yiep step-up knee strike and the Kao Loi or flying knee strike.

Traditional Muay Thai training methods were grueling and literally took blood,sweat and tears to endure.

C.   Good Tips to Do Muay Thai Training Safely

Because Muay Thai is one of the fitness programs deemed to be intense and difficult without proper training, there are several considerations one has to bear in mind to avoid complications, injuries and hang-ups. To do it correctly, you must seek the guidance and supervision of a professional Muay Thai instructor at all times-from warm-up to your training session proper.

1.   You have to get attuned to the proper Muay Thai techniques so that you can train intelligently and improve progressively.

2.   You can gauge your effectiveness as a trainee when you hit the training court.

3.   Training exclusively is a no-no. Unlike other cardio fat-burning training programs, It’s a very intensive and hard to grasp without consistent training.

4.   You have to possess a great level of discipline so that you can train successively without quitting.

5.   To progress accordingly, you must train as regularly as possible.

6.   Learn the basics before grasping on the advanced techniques.

7.   You have to gain utmost balance, muscle harmony, appropriate timing and preciseness of execution in order to train in Muay Thai with best results.
Bearing these tips in mind will you jumpstart in Muay Thai without a doubt. As you step up in your speed and endurance level, you will realize that this kind of training isn’t just exclusive for boxers but also individuals who can handle intense fat-burning workout.