Muay Thai Basics (Thai Boxing)

Muay Thai Basic 6 DVD Set

Most professional MMA fighters use Muay Thai as their primary method of striking their opponent. One of the reasons for this is how devastating the strikes are (i.e. punches and kicks). This article can help you with proper technique, if you are just starting out in your Muay Thai career, or looking for a new way to exercise.
Stance
This must be a wider stance than you would see with a traditional boxer. Traditional boxers tend to stand more to the side instead of square to their opponents. Thai boxers will stand squarer to their opponents, with their shoulders in the same line (one not ahead of the other). Thai boxers stand this way because in Muay Thai kicks are allowed. Since they are allowed, for defensive purposes, you need to block (check) your opponents leg kicks.

Stand with your feet shoulder width apart with a slight bend in your knees. If you are a right hander, then position your left leg forward, and if you are a left hander position your right leg forward. An added benefit to this stance is you will have more power with your lead hand in punches because you can get more of your shoulder behind your punch. For example, if you are a right hander, then your left jab will be more powerful in this stance then a traditional boxer's stance.

Position your hands in front of your jaw, protecting mainly that part of your face. Keep your elbows low and close to your body for protection from both punches and kicks. The right body shot from a punch or kick can melt you, so it's important to keep this area protected.

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!

Knees and Kicks
To throw a right knee, if you are right handed, start in your basic stance. Explode your hips forward off your back foot and bring your right knee up until you finish up on your left toes. Lifting up on your toes will add power. As your are striking with your right knee bring your both your hands down past your right hip. This is done because in theory you are grabbing the back of your opponents head or neck and bringing that down as your knee is coming up. This is a more devastating blow.


The left knee strike is a "switch" knee. This means that you are in your basic stance then very quickly switch the position of your feet. The Right foot is now forward and the left foot is back and then you explode your left knee the same way you would do with your right knee. Explode your hips forward off your back foot and bring your left knee up until you finish on your right toes. This time bring both your hands passed your left hip.
Kicks can be difficult at first. Do not get discouraged. As with anything practice makes perfect. Kicks in Muay Thai are power kicks. You are not trying snap a kick like you would in Karate. Rather, you are trying to kick through your opponent with sheer power.
To begin we will view these kicks from a right hander's stance. If you are kicking your right leg, you begin by stepping slightly forward rotating your left roughly 45 degrees outward. As you are throwing the kick rotate on the toes and ball of your left foot. To get true power in your kicks lead with your hips. Your hips should be rotating your body entire body.
For the right kick as you are throwing it swing your right hand down passed your right hip and your left hand up across your face. Bringing your right hand down will help with your torque, creating more power in the kick. This will help turn your right leg over so you deliver the kick in a downward angle. Bringing your left hand up is for defensive purposes, in case, your opponent counter attacks your hand is protecting your face.

Land the kick with your lower shin, not your foot. Your shins are much more powerful than your foot and if you land with your foot you risk injury. Return to your fight stance once completing the kick.
The left kick is a "switch" kick. This means (just like the "switch" knee) that you are in your basic stance and then you very quickly switch the position of your feet. Right foot is now forward (45 degrees outward) and your left foot is now back. Then you explode into your left kick the same as a right kick. This time your right foot is pointed outward 45 degrees, your left hand swings down passed your left hip, and your right hand is across your face for a guard.
Where should your kicks land on your opponent? A low kick is landed on your opponents thigh, just above the knee. A roundhouse kick should be landed either at your opponents waist, neck, or head. Again, the lower part of your shin should be connecting with your opponent.
Combos
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
Once you are comfortable throwing these combinations add a kick or knee to finish. If your last punch is with your left hand, then finish with a right kick or right knee. If you finish your last punch with your right hand then finish with a left kick or left knee.
Learning these basic Muay Thai techniques are just the beginning. Muay Thai is one of the best workouts you can perform and for self defense purposes and excellent art to learn. I encourage you to find a trainer and take your skills to the next level.
 

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