MaeMai MuayThai means
Muaythai techniques of using fists, feet, knees, and elbows efficiently
in the attack and defense. The skills in Muaythai are acquired by practice
and use of fists, feet, knees, and elbows harmoniously. The techniques
used in teaching Muaythai vary from teacher to teacher, depending on the
style each teacher can adapt. A style invented by a teacher will be given
a name according to the action. When time goes by, the styles have considerably
increased. They are therefore grouped and rhymed for the students to memorize.
In the past, Muaythai boxers did not put on gloves. They fought with bare
hands or hands wrapped with cotton yarn. The fighters could use their
hands to throw, break or twist the opponents. They made use of a wide
range of fighting techniques rather than strength. There emerged a lot
of fighting styles accordingly. Later, the boxers are required to put
on gloves like the international-style fighters and numerous rules and
regulations have been issued to protect the fighters from any dangers
and to facilitate the scoring system. Certain fighting styles are banned
in the competition because they are regarded as a foul whereas boxers
are unable to use certain skillful styles due to the guards or protectors
put on their bodies. These styles were finally forgotten.
Muaythai techniques are grouped differently according to the teachers.
In many Muaythai manuals, the techniques are obviously classified according
to the features. The attack and counterattack is called Khon Muay or Muaythai
strategy. The use of fists, feet, knees, and elbows is called Cherng Muay,
Mae Mai and Look Mai, Mai Khru and Mai Kred, or simply Muaythai maneuvers.
Mai Khru is the main technique that all students must learn. When it is
acquired, it can be split into numerous Mai Kred or techniques.
Mae Mai
Mae Mai Muay Thai means the major fighting styles regarded as basic maneuvers
in Muaythai fighting. The students have to learn and put them into practice
before other trivial techniques or Look Mai will be taught. Mai Muay Thai
is divided into 15 styles as follows:
1. Salab Fan Pla (Cross-switch movement)
2. Paksa Waeg Rang (Bird peeping through the nest movement)
3. Chawa Sad Hok (Java throws spear movement)
4. Inao Thaenk Krit
5. Yoh Khao Phra Sumain
6. Ta Taen Kham Fak
7. Maun Yan Lak
8. Pak Look Thoy
9. Jorake Phad Hang
10. Hak Nguang Aiyara
11. Naka Bid Hang
12. Wiroon Hok Klab
13. Dab Chawala
14. Khun Yak Jab Ling
15. Hak Kho Erawan (To break the elephant's neck movement)
#Salab Fan Pla (Defend in long range)
It is a major or basic maneuver used to defend and avoid the straight punch of the opponent that leads off by stepping aside to make him miss.
The attacker walks in and strikes the defensive's face with the left punch.
The defensive steps aside with the right foot and ducks to the right around 60 degrees. The weight is on the right foot. The right leg is slightly bent to avoid the punch. Turn the attacker's upper arm down with the right hand and turn the fist up with the left hand (like breaking the opponent's arm).
#Paksa Waeg Rang (Defend at close quarters)
This technique is used to get at close quarters so that the other techniques can be further used.
The attacker walks in and throws the left punch to the defensive's face.
Defensive steps the foot obliquely to the left and ducks by 60 degrees with the weight on the left foot. Both arms will be held up to guard the punch with both fists kept close to each other (like wai). The elbows must be slightly extended whereas the head and face are behind both-hand guard. The defensive has to keep the eyes on the attacker's right fist.
#Chawa Sad Hok (Throwing elbow at long range)
This technique is used to avoid the straight punch of the attacker and counter the attack with elbow strike.
The attacker walks in and pushes out the left punch to the defensive's face.
The defensive steps aside to the right and ducks by 30 degrees with the weight on the right foot. The left arm must be bent and the elbow cast to the rib of the attacker.
#Inao Thaenk Krit (Elbow strike at close quarters)
This technique is usually used to defend the straight punch and strike the elbow at close quarters.
The attacker throws the right punch to the defensive's face.
The defensive deflects the punch with his left hand. He then steps the right foot forward and ducks to the left by 60 degrees with the weight on the right foot. Bend the right elbow in the manner that it is parallel to the ground and strike the elbow to the rib of the attacker.
#Yoh Khao Phra Sumain (Strike the tip of jaw while inclining by 45 degrees)
This technique is used to defend the straight punch by ducking so that the blow goes over the head and throw an uppercut.
The attacker walks in with the left foot and throws the left punch to the defensive's face.
The defensive steps forward with the right foot and ducks by 45 degrees with the weight on the bent right foot. Stretch the right foot and throw an uppercut to the tip of the attacker's jaw. The left arm is held on guard to the chin.
#Ta Taen Kham Fak (Throw an uppercut to the tip of jaw while ducking by 60 degrees)
This technique is basically used to deflect the punch upward.
The attacker throws the left punch to the defensive's face.
The defensive steps forward to the right with the left foot and bends the right arm to deflect the punch upward. Slightly bend the left knee and throw the left uppercut to the tip of the attacker's jaw.
#Maun Yan Lak (Defend the punch with thrust kick)
This technique is basically used to defend the punch with thrust kick thrown to the chest or abdomen.
The attacker walks in and throws the left punch.
The defensive steps to the right and ducks by 45 degrees to avoid the punch. Stand on the right foot while holding both hands on guard and delivering thrust kick to the chest or abdomen of the attacker.
#Pak Look Thoy (Defend the kick with elbow)
This technique is basically used to defend the kick with elbow.
The attacker is in the kicking range and repeatedly throws the right kicks to the defensive's rib. Both arms are held up to guard the face.
The defensive slips to the left and steps the left foot backward. Bend the right arm so that the right elbow guards the kicks of the attacker whereas the left arm is held up to guard the face.
#Jorake Phad Hang or spin kick (defend the punch with spin kick)
This technique is intended to throw the heel kick to the back. When the opponent is off balance, the spin kick will be thrown.
The attacker walks in with the left foot and throws the left punch.
The defensive steps to the right with the right foot to avoid the punch. Hold the arms up to guard the face while rotating the whole body on the left foot and throwing the right heel to the abdomen or neck of the attacker.
#Hak Nguang Aiyara (Elbow strike to the ham string)
This technique is used to counter the kick by striking an elbow on the hamstring to reduce the strength.
The attacker repeatedly throws the right kicks to the rib of the defensive while holding both hands to guard the face.
The defensive takes the right step forward to get the distance while turning to the left and bending the right knee on the stretched foot. Hold the right foot of the attacker up with the left hand and throw the right elbow to the attacker's hamstring. Pull the right foot of the attacker higher to make him off-balance and prevent the attacker from throwing the elbow on the head.
# Naka Bid Hang ((twist the leg and throw the knee strike to the calf or knee joint)
This technique is used to defend against the kick by holding the foot of the opponent and twisting it while throwing the knee strike to the leg.
The attacker repeatedly throws the right kicks to the rib of the defensive and holds both hands in the guard.
The defensive slips to the left and holds the foot of the attacker with both hands. Twist the tip of foot while throwing the right knee to the calf or knee joint of the attacker.
#Wiroon Hok Klab (Defend against the kick with thrust kick)
This technique is used to defend against the kick by throwing the heel to hit the hamstring.
The attacker throws the left kick to the rib of the defensive.
The defensive delivers a thrust kick to the left hamstring of the attacker and holds up both hand guard. The thrust kick must be performed rapidly and forcefully to make the attacker off-balance.
Picture: Dab Chawala
#Dab Chawala (Deflect the punch)
This technique is used to deflect the straight punch thrown to the face
of the defensive.
The attacker walks in with the left
foot and throws the left punch to the face of the defensive.
The defensive takes a right step forward
and turns to the right while deflecting the punch and pressing it down.
At the same time, the defensive throws the left punch to the face of the
attacker and steps aside on the right.
It is one of the most important techniques used to defend against the punch, kick and elbow of the opponent during clinching. The training practice is divided into 3 stages.
Stage 1
The attacker walks in with the left foot and throws the left punch to the face of the defensive.
The defensive takes a left step toward the attacker and deflect the attacker's left arm with his right hand.
Stage 2
The attacker repeated throws the right kicks to the rib of the defensive.
The defensive takes a left step backward and ducks while throwing the right elbow to hit the right thigh of the attacker.
Stage 3
The attacker bends the right arm and ducks to strike the elbow to the head of the defensive.
The defensive promptly bends the arm to counter the elbow and takes a right step backward.
# Hak Kho Erawan (Hold the opponent's neck down and throw the knee strike)
The attacker walks in with the left foot and throws the left punch while holding the right arm to guard the chin.
The defensive rapidly takes a left step toward the attacker and deflect the attacker's left arm with his right arm. Hold the neck of the attacker down with both hands and throw a jumping knee strike to the face of the attacker.
MuayThai Institute : Created By Kes. Phoemsakul (Bird) E-mail : [email protected]
Model By Mathew Richard Carey & Phoemsakul Kesbumrung. Thank you so much for Thai Clip art. THISTHAI Co.,Ltd.