10 Epic Power Blows in Muay Thai

VIDEO:Watch this epic demo showing how to guard against an oncoming jab

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)

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.

• Punches– when it comes to punches, you need to start using your legs especially your back leg. To be able for you to get true power, you need to push off your back leg in order to throw powerful punches. It is important to always keep your hands up all the time when you are throwing punches. Muay Thai training on Koh Samui will help you acquire all the skill that you need for fighting.

• Straight punch/jab across- jab is a type of punch that is called a straight punch using your lead hand. If you are a right hander, you need to throw jab using your left leg that is slightly forward, then twist your body and throw straight left directly to the face of your opponent. It is the opposite for the right hander fighter. It is important to always make sure that you get your balance to avoid the attack of your opponent.

• Hooks- the power that you need for your hook will come from the hips and the technique that you have. The part of the body that will give power to the hook is your hips and body torque. The technique lies on the hands and the right positioning of your arm. It is important to always keep your elbow at the same height or a little lower than your hands to maintain the power and to avoid injury as well.

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

Basic Punches

Punching starts with your legs, mainly your back leg. To get true power, you push off your back leg as you throw the punch. Never forget to keep your hands up at all times when throwing a punch. Never let your guard down.

Straight Punches (Jab/Cross) – The jab is the straight punch with your lead hand. For a right hander, to throw a jab, step slightly forward with your left leg and twist your body throwing a straight left directly forward. Be sure to get your shoulder in the punch. A cross is a straight punch with your power hand. For right handed people, throw your right hand straight forward twisting your body and getting power from your back leg. Keep in mind to stay balanced at all times.

Hooks – The power in hooks comes from your hips and your technique. Your hips will and body torque will provide the power. Technique has to do with your hands and arm positioning. To throw a hook, keep your elbow at the same height or slightly lower than your hand or you will lose power and risk injury. Never let your hands loop down around your body when throwing this punch. Letting your hands loop down takes too long, and you leave yourself vulnerable to a punch from your opponent.

Upper Cuts – It’s very easy to throw in upper cut strictly with your arms. This is a common mistake made when throwing this punch. The key when throwing and upper cut is to bring your body down squatting at the legs in almost into a coil position. Then explode upward with your legs throwing an upward moving punch like you are trying to hit underneath your opponents chin.

Again with all these punches keep your hands up and never let them drop!

Once you get the feel for your punches and kicks start using them in combos. Each combo below is represented by a number:

1 = Left Jab
2 = Left Jab – Right Cross
3 = Left Jab – Right Cross – Left Hook
4 = Left Jab – Right Cross – Left Hook – Right Cross
5 = Left Jab – Right Cross – Left Hook – Right Cross – Left Upper Cut
6 = Left Jab – Right Cross – Left Hook – Right Cross – Left Upper Cut -Right Cross