Acknowledgements

Special thanks to my instructors
 “Ajarn” Chi, Guro Inosanto, and Don Garon

Mixed Martial Arts Thai Boxing This manual is based on the Level Three Thai Boxing Association of the U.S.A. instructor requirements. The purpose of this manual is to instruct Thai Boxing so it may be incorporated into a Mixed Martial Arts blend. (Note: this manual is not authorized or sanction by the Thai Boxing Association of the U.S.A.)  For more information about Thai Boxing visit www.thaiboxing.com To all  those interested I strongly suggest you go to the Thai boxing web site and learn the history, philosophy, ceremony, instructor requirement, and additional information not enclose in this manual.

Training Muay Thai

The mindset of a Thai boxer is that of the unstoppable force - nothing can stand in his way. The Thai boxer seeks to dominate the opponent with constant forward pressure, overwhelming power, and superior conditioning. As with any martial art the development of key physical attributes, such as speed, power, flexibility, etc., is essential to the performance of the art. Thai boxers must place additional emphasize on cardio development, abdominal-core conditioning, and nerve deadening-body hardening. Cardio can be developed in the following manner: jumping rope, roadwork, swimming. I do not suggest the bike or elliptical because muscular development should be as specific to the art as possible. Core conditioning can consist of knees raises, straight and twisting, Full “V” Sit-ups straight and twisting, Flags, medicine ball drops, and isometrics. Thai boxing core conditioning exercise should develop the entire abdominal wall not isolate the upper, lower, or oblique portion. Nerve deadening and body hardening: this is the crucible.  The body must be tempered until it becomes as hard as steel. This can only be done by receiving repeated blows to the thighs and mid section. Light blows should be received until the practitioner can receive repeated “full power” blows to the thighs and or midsection. Shin and forearm conditioning must be a consistent part of the Thai boxer regimen. Thai boxers should start by lightly executing techniques into a harder object such as a small tree. This should continue as the Thai boxer gradually increases the power of the blows. The nature of a Thai boxer is to physically dominate the opponent. Through conditioning, they harden the body, temper the mind, and cultivate the sprit, until nothing can stand before them. Many low level M.M.A practitioners neglect this area and enter into the ring without first undergoing the disciple and training it takes to win. By the time you enter the ring, the fight is already be won.

Ranges

Thai boxing consists of the following ranges:

Kick, knee, punch, elbow, and clinch.

Stance

There are two stances in Thai Boxing:

Kicking: Thai boxers prefer the left lead, keeping the strong side back to generate power.  Once the left lead is learned, M.M.A practitioners should also train from the right lead.

Boxing: Used in close-quarters

Guard

Thai Guard is a high open guard.  This, at times, invites the opponent to attack the mid-section or center- line. In close-quarters, the Thai Boxer assumes a Tight Boxing Guard for better protection from elbows and punches.  

 In Thai boxing midsection attacks are at times absorbed.  This is done in order to intimidate the opponent or to take advantage of the opening created by the opponents attack.  The additional benefits to absorbing mid-section attacks will be discussed during training.  

Footwork

With constant forward, pressure the following forms of footwork are used:

Walk-step, Step-slide, Angle-Step, Stutter-Step, Circle Step, Switch Step

Body Movements
                       Jam: used to impede the opponents forward progress or attacking energy.   

Slip, Duck, Bob-Weave, Lean Away: are used in defense of high line attacks.

Hollow-Out: used to avoid mid section attack while staying in kicking range.  

Quick switch: used to avoid lead attacks.

Hop-back: Can be used against all lines.

Blocks & Covers

Shin Block, Knee Shield: used against leg attacks.  These are performed with lead or rear leg in outward, upward, or inward motion.

Windmill block, Palm Stop, Salute, Cutting Block: used to defend the high line. 

Scoop, Parry, Elbow jab, Elbow-Cover: used to defend the high and mid line.

Curve Knee: used against straight mid-line attacks.

Punches

Jab, Cross, Hook, Uppercut, Overhand: Punches are used to attack the high and mid line. They can be done singularly or in combination with other attacks or techniques in offensive or defensive combinations. All punches should be trained with each type of footwork including the “hop.” The M.M.A practitioner should also incorporate Western Boxing principles and combinations (described later) into the Thai boxing format.     

Kicks

Round Kick:  Unlike the karate round kick, which returns back, the Thai round kick strikes and proceeds through the opponent, commonly performed in a downward angled motion. This causes the person to spin 360 and finish to a shin block or knee shield position. Depending on the target, the Thai round kick can also be performed in an up-angle or horizontal motion. All variations can be performed switching to kick, angle step to kick, circle step to kick, or hop into kick.

Foot Jab: The foot jab takes a straight line to its target bringing the chamber up & in before executing the kick. The foot jab can be directed to low, mid, or high line targets. From the lead leg (long foot jab) or rear leg (short foot jab)

Spin kicks: Generally performed in combination with the round kick or in defense of an attack. (not all trainers agree with this however, in my experience if you lead with a spin kick against a seasoned Thai boxer you are asking for a world of pain) Side, Rear, Hook, Crescent kicks are performed to the low, mid, and high. line.

Knee

Flying Knee: done from long or kick range. This knee is used to close the gap and should be preceded by follow-up techniques.

Straight Knee: best used in defense. There are two forms of straight knee; Cover & Knee and Pull & Knee.

Executed from the clinch are:

Skip knee #1: performed in a hip hop or skipping motion generally three or more knees are executed before following.  

Skip knee #2: the leg is drawn back and then proceeds to the target again more than one knee is generally performed.

Additional knees are: Curve Knee (inward and outward), Round Knee, Power Knee, and Down Knee.

Elbows

The body mechanics of the Thai Elbow differs from other arts in that it involves the entire back and chest. The ending hand position is in the center of the chest, in reverse wrist position, thereby allowing the elbow to cross over center-lines and proceed through the target rather than just contacting the surface. Types of elbows: Snap, Horizontal, Down-angle, Up-angle, Vertical, Overhead, Spin, Flying.

The Clinch

Used to set up knees, the clinch can be performed offensively and defensively in combination with any series of techniques. Once the clinic is established, Thai Boxers should understand a wide variety of knee combinations exist. Each knee can be preceded by all other knees. Each knee can be directed to various different targets. This makes the total number of combinations nearly as limitless as the Thai boxer’s imagination. Consider training odd number sets 1-3-5-7 etc. with 3 skip knees, counting as one after the set is executed.  The clinch is released by  neck twist, shoulder push, or angle step cut kick. These are used to set the opponent up for finishing techniques. The clinch may also be released and then re-applied to incorporate elbow strikes. As a general guide, the clinch should be trained in 3 minute rounds. M.M.A should also add pummeling and offensive-defensive throws and takedowns.  

Clinch

Offensively the clinch should never be performed by reaching in without maintaining a guard. Generally this is done in a left right motion with the right maintaining a salute position until control is gained.  The types of clinches are:

Neck Clinch: Hand position “A” “B” “C”.

Neck & Arm: under arm hook, over arm hook.

Body Clink, Hip Check Clink: M.M.A practitioners should incorporate chest pummeling and arm, wrist, head control into the clinch position.

Clinch Escapes
Over & under pry, cross face, inside lift, outside push, elbow to bicep, elbow to chest. M.M.A practitioners must also have an understanding of methods such as the shoot, duck and lift, throw, or takedown performed in defense of the clinch or offensively from the clinch