The Muay Thai martial art 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 the head in Muay Thai fights is no longer allowed. In Muay Thai a small amount of grip (The Clinch) is used for both defense and attack. Muay Thai techniques are divided into two groups: Mae Mai or Major techniques and Luk mai or Minor techniques. All Muay Thai techniques use movement of the entire body, partially or fully rotating the hips with each punch, kick, and block. This is the reason that distinguishes Muay Thai from other forms of martial art.
Punching Techniques: (Chok)
Direct hit = Mud Dhrong
Hook = Mud Wjang San
Swing = Mud Wjang Yao
Spinning Fist = Mud Wjang Glab
Upper Cut = Mud Seub
Cobra Punch = Kra-Dod Chok
Headshot = Mud Khouk
Judges in Muay Thai fights give fighters lower marks for punching techniques, as they are generally less effective and powerful than kicks or knee strikes. Body shots are also used less in Muay Thai, as they expose the fighter’s head to the opponent’s knee or elbow strikes.
Elbow Techniques: (Dhee Sork)
Elbow Cut = Sork Dhee
Horizontal elbow = Sork Dhad
Upper Cut Elbow = Sork Ngad
Forward Elbow Thrust = Sork Poonk
Reverse horizontal elbow = Sork wjang Glab
Swivel Elbow = Sork Glab
Elbow Chop = Sork’s Sap
Double Elbow Chop = Sork Glab Koo
Airborne Elbow Strike = Gra-Dode Sork
The elbow is used in seven ways in Muay Thai, horizontally, diagonally up, diagonally down, uppercut, downward, twisting back, and flying. The elbow is also used from the sides as a finishing move or to cut the opponent’s eyebrow so that it bleeds. Bleeding blocks vision and also affects the fighter’s performance.
Kicking techniques: (Dhe)
Straight kick = Dhe Dhrong
Nutcracker kick = Dhe Paa Maak
Round kick = Dhe Dhad
Diagonal kick = Dhe Chivang
Half twist, half knee kick = Dhe Krueng Kheng Krueng Kao
Spinning Kick = Dhe Glab Lang
Round House Kick Down = Dhe Kod
Ax Hill Kick = Dhe Khouk
Jump kick = Gra-Dode Dhe
Rising Kick = Yiep Dhe
The most common kicks in Muay Thai are the Foot Jab (Theep) and the Kick (Tae), upwards in a triangle shape targeting the ribs and arms (Chieng). This angular kick in Muay Thai has been adopted by many other forms of martial arts as it is so effective. The roundhouse kick is almost similar to the kicks used in karate or taekwondo. Many Muay Thai fighters also use a counter rotation of their arms to improve the power of their kick. A Muay Thai fighter is always taught to strike with the shin. Although the shin is very sensitive to an untrained person, it is the stronger part of the leg than the foot, as it contains fine bone and is much weaker.
Knee Techniques: (Dhe kao)
Straight knee strike = Kao Dhrong
Diagonal knee strike = Kao Chijang
Curved knee strike = Kao Kouwng
Horizontal knee strike = Kao Dhad
Knee strike = Kao Dhob
Knee Bomb = Kao Youwn
Flying Knee Strike = Kao Loi
Intensify Knee Strike = Kao Yiep
Other Knee Techniques: – Kao Dode: (Jumping Knee Strike) Jump on one leg and strike with the knee of that leg. – Kao Loi: (Flying knee strike) Take step(s), jump forward and with one leg and strike with the knee of that leg. – Tono Kao: (Straight knee strike) Push forward. Not up unless the fighter is holding opponents head down in a clinch and intends to knee up to the face. -Kao Noi: (Small knee strike) Hitting the upper inner thigh (above the knee) of the opponent while he is holding on.
Foot Thrust Techniques: (Theep)
Straight Foot Thrust = Teep Dhrong
Lateral Foot Thrust = Teep Kang
Reverse Foot Thrust = Teep Glab Lang
Pushing foot strike = Teep Dhob
Jump 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 the opponents attack and throw the opponent off balance.
Wrestlers in arm grip position:
There is a difference in Muay Thai from Western Boxing. During the arm hold position, the fighters are separated in Western boxing; however, they are not into Muay Thai. There are various grappling techniques in Muay Thai, including:
– Clinch Arm
– Side closure
– Low clinch and
– Swan neck.
Defensive techniques against attack:
It is classified into six groups:
1. Block – Defenders block hard to stop a strike in its tracks, thus preventing it from reaching its target.
2. Redirection: Soft parries by defenders to change the direction of a hit so it misses its target.
3. Avoidance: Moving a body part quickly out of the path or range of a strike, putting the opponent in position for a counterpunch.
4. Evasion: Moving the body out of the way or range of a blow.
5. Interrupt: pre-aim an attack.
6. Anticipation: Defender catching a hit or countering it before it hits.
