Muay Thai – The Art of Unarmed Defense

Muay Thai literally translates to Thai Boxing and it is a very popular art of unarmed combat. Known for its clinching and stand up striking techniques, this form of martial arts is the national sport of Thailand. Interestingly, the term also has its origins in Sanskrit where the root word mavya means binding together.

Muay Thai could also be termed as a combination of boxing where one uses 2 fists and kickboxing, which makes use of 4 contact points, the fists and the feet. However, Muay Thai when practiced could be far more effective. This is because this martial art form, also referred to as the Art of eight limbs often makes use of 8 different contact points to deal punches and blows on the opponent.

The importance of Muay Thai also lies in the fact that it includes protecting oneself without any weapons from time to time, which is one of the reasons why it is taught even to military personnel. Muay Thai mainly comprises of the use of sork or elbow, mud or fists, khao or knees, tao or foot.

One would be trained to deliver punches, elbow strikes, kicks and knee kicks and foot thrusts. The traditional Muay Thai form of self defense involved dealing in one-on-one blows, although it is also one of the reasons why a lot of schools have mixed feelings about this martial arts form.

The Muay Thai training involves learning about jod or fighting stance, fighting by keeping the opponent closer or away, attacking techniques and guarding techniques. The techniques of Muay Thai are also classified as major techniques and minor techniques. Muay Thai comprises of a variety of punching techniques such as the spinning back-fist, the swing, hook, cross and the upper cut.

Similarly there are elbow striking techniques like elbow slash, horizontal and reverse horizontal elbow, spinning and uppercut elbow, double elbow chop and mid-air strike. Muay Thai also involves Thip or foot thrust techniques like straight, sideways, slapping, jumping and reverse, foot thrusts.

Practitioners of Muay Thai are trained to defend themselves in a variety of ways. There is blocking and redirection to avoid a strike, moving out of range, evasion, anticipation and disruption, each of which help in avoiding punches or kicks and if possible deliver a counter attack.

The training usually involves heavy physical conditioning as well, through running, rope jumping, shadow boxing and weight resistance training. Thai pads and heavy bags are also used to practice the various Muay Thai attacking techniques.

Muay Thai, which has gained widespread popularity because of a spate of Hollywood films, also involves a rigorous training schedule and sometimes weekly bouts. This art form also involves practicing clinching, kneeing and close fighting.

A skilled fighter is also adept at punch combinations, while a lot of focus is paid to hand speed and timing of a punch. Many bouts are so fast that they need plenty of stamina on the part of the Muay Thai boxer. The skills are usually tested during practice through sparring which involves medium contact along with practicing of range and strategies.