Thai Kickboxing Basics
Learn about the fascinating ancient sport of Thai kickboxing, or Muay Thai, with this basic guide.
What is Thai kickboxing?
Thai kickboxing, or Muay Thai, is the national sport of Thailand. It has a centuries-old history, evolving from the traditional fighting skills of the Thai military who were often engaged in regional wars. Thai soldiers developed unarmed fighting techniques which through the ages became known as the martial art of Thai kickboxing. By the 13th century, Thai kickboxing had become a popular spectator sport in Thailand. Thai kickboxers can use not only punches and kicks, but also their elbows and knees during fighting. Thai kickboxing tournaments can often seem much more intense than other martial arts competitions for this reason.
Thai kickboxing lessons If you are starting out in Thai kickboxing you will first be introduced to the basic techniques, including the correct postures and stances and how to kick and punch. You'll need to repeat these techniques as drills during each class. Also, you will be required to strength train and practice your techniques using kick pads and mitts. Once you have mastered the first level, you will be taught more advanced techniques including holds, grappling and sparring techniques. You will also practice controlled sparring with your classmates. Students have to aim for power, speed and perfecting their moves. There are no belt levels in Thai kickboxing. Kicks The roundhouse kick is probably the most used method. You can kick your opponent’s head, body or legs.
Unlike many other martial arts, you are allowed to strike below the belt, at your opponent’s legs. The most disabling kick is the low kick, which is aimed at the thigh, calf or back of the knee. A body kick should be used when your opponent is not guarding his or her chest. Head kicks leave you in a vulnerable unstable position because your lower body is open to your opponent. However, if properly executed, these are powerful kicks. The thrust kick is used in both attack and defense situations. Rather than kicking your opponent, you basically push him or her backwards with your foot. This can cause your opponent to lose balance. Punches Although you can target the body and face with a punch, most Thai kickboxers punch the face, favoring other modes of attack to the body, like the knee.
As with boxing, punching techniques include jabs, hooks (from the side) and upper cuts (from below). Students are taught to relax their fists and clench them tightly only when executing a punch. Elbow and Knee Moves The use of the elbow and knee in Thai kickboxing makes this sport stand out from many of the other martial arts. You can use your elbow to attack, as a cut or hook, targeting the opponent’s chin or nose. The knee thrust attack targets the body. It is a very powerful and effective strike when opponents are close together. Students are taught to hold their foot pointing upwards when they execute a knee attack so that they can readily turn the move into a thrust kick. Both knee and body kicks score highly in competition fighting.
Basic defense techniques One of the best defense techniques is to keep your elbows well tucked in to prevent your opponent from landing a kick to your mid-section. If your opponent aims a kick to your body, use the arm at whichever side the kick is aimed at to deflect the kick. To avoid a head kick, move in closer to your opponent. In that way, the kick will not land on its target as you will be too close. The leg check is used to block lower kicks. To do a leg check, raise your front leg with the knee bent so that you can check the kick with your shin as it lands.
Competitive kickboxing Thai kickboxing competitions are hugely popular in Thailand and people travel from the provinces to the capital, Bangkok, for the major tournaments. Kickboxing is a way of life for many young children in the provinces. They train at kickboxing schools from an early age. When they reach the stage when they are ready to fight competitively, they take on a new name, their last name being the name of their school.
Thai kickboxers fight regularly and massive bets are placed on the most popular fighters. An integral part of the tournament is the ritual dance (Ram Muay) which both competitors are required to perform before the fight begins. The origin of this dance is ancient, rooted in Buddhism and traditional Thai culture. It is performed in part as a sign of respect to the trainers, who are placed in high esteem. During the dance, fighters wear ritual headbands which are removed before the fight begins. The dance is accompanied by music performed on traditional Thai drums, cymbals and horn instruments. It is a highly spiritual performance and whips the crowd into a frenzy.
It is a world away from the standard American pre-game show! Finding a Thai kickboxing school Depending on where you live, it might not be easy to find a genuine Thai kickboxing trainer. If you find a school that offers Thai kickboxing, investigate further before enrolling. What are the instructor’s credentials? What is the program like? Does it combine Thai kickboxing with other martial arts in its training program? Note that Thai kickboxing is different from kickboxing, which does not use elbows and knees. Thai kickboxing is also not the same as cardio kickboxing, which is an aerobic exercise. Thai kickboxing is a fighting art, not a workout routine.
Author: Lana Claar
About Author: Writer Lana Claar has had a lifelong interest in martial arts. She attained her black belt in taekwondo at age 13 and has also taken lessons in Thai kickboxing and kendo.