This section provides details for wide variety of Muay Thai techniques (i.e. knee strikes and kicks). Each technique includes video demonstrations and/or written instructions. Given the success of Muay Thai strikes, most MMA fighters incorporate Muay Thai techniques into their training.
The information on these pages and videos are meant to reinforce and supplement the instruction given at your Muay Thai classes. To properly understand these techniques, you need to learn them from a Muay Thai instructor who can provide you with an in-depth explanation of the technique, help correct your mistakes, answer your questions and detail how the technique should be utilized.
Wiki – Best Muay Thai Books
Muay Thai Kicks – Click on the techniques below for instructions and/or videos
- Kradot Te – Jump Kick
- Kradot Thip – Jumping Push Kick or Foot Thrust
- Te Chiang – Diagonal Kick
- Te Khao – Axe Kick
- Te Klap Lang – Reverse Roundhouse Kick
- Te Kot – Downward Roundhouse Kick
- Te Tat – Muay Thai Roundhouse Kick
- Te Trong – Front Kick or Straight Kick
- Thip Khang – Side Foot Thrust
- Thip Klap Lang – Reverse Foot Thrust
- Thip Top – Slapping Foot Jab or Thrust
- Thip Trong – Straight Foot Jab or Thrust
Muay Thai Knee Strikes
FYI – You could see the word Khao written as Kao or Kow for Muay Thai knee techniques.
- Khao Chiang – Muay Thai Diagonal Knee Strike
- Khao Khong – Muay Thai Curving Knee Strike
- Khao Loi – Muay Thai Flying Knee Strike
- Khao Tat – Horizontal Knee Strike
- Khao Trong – Muay Thai Straight Knee Strike
- Khao Yao – Muay Thai Knee Bomb
Muay Thai Punches
- Kradot Chok – Superman Punch
- Mat Nueng – Jab
- Mat Soi Dao – Uppercut Punch
- Mat Trong – Straight Punch, Cross Punch, Reverse Punch, etc.
- Mat Wiang Klap – Backfist Strike
- Mat Wiang San – Hook Punch
- Mat Wiang Yao – Haymaker Punch
Muay Thai Elbow Strikes
FYI – You could see the word Sok written as Sawk for Muay Thai elbow techniques.
- Sok Klap – Spinning Elbow Strike
- Sok Ngat – Uppercut Elbow Strike
- Sok Sap – Downward Elbow Strike
- Sok Tat – Horizontal Elbow Strike
- Sok Chieng – Diagonal Elbow
- Sok Hud – Levering Elbow
- Sok Ku – Double Elbows
- Sok Phong – Front Elbow Thrust
- Sok Ti – Striking Elbow
- Sok Tong – Smash Downward Elbow
Muay Thai Blocks
- Muay Thai Buok – Muay Thai Shin Block
Muay Thai Clinching Techniques
- Muay Thai Djab Ko – Muay Thai Clinch
Muay Thai Questions
What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai is a kick boxing-type martial arts from Thailand. It is renown for powerful striking techniques such as elbow strikes and knee strikes. Given the success of Muay Thai techniques, many MMA fighters utilize Muay Thai training in order to maximize their striking expertise. Muay Thai is known as the “Art of Eight Limbs” because it uses 8 potential points of contact in its strikes (2 fists, 2 feet, 2 knees and 2 elbows). Many other traditional martial arts mainly use either 2 points of contact (2 fists) or 4 points of contact (2 fists and 2 feet).
What does Muay Thai mean in English?
Muay Thai is a term based on words from Thailand. Thai stands for the country of Thailand. Muay is the Thai word for boxing. Therefore, Muay Thai in English means roughly “Thai Boxing”. However, Muay Thai is much more than “regular” western-style boxing because Muay Thai practitioners utilize their fists, elbows, feet/shins and knees as striking points of contact. In contrast, western-style boxers can only use their fists in sparring matches.
Muay Thai Techniques
Muay Thai Image provided by Wikimedia Commons
References
- United World Muay Thai Association, History of Muay Thai, http://www.uwmta.org/history.html