Muay Thai is referred to as the "Art of Eight Limbs" because it makes use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes, thus using eight "points of contact", as opposed to "two points" (fists) in Western boxing and "four points" (hands and feet) used in sport-oriented martial arts.
TECHNIQUES:
Punching (chok)-
Punches like Cross-fertilization with Western boxing and western martial arts mean the full range of western boxing punches are now used: jab, straight right/cross, hook, uppercut, shovel and corkscrew punches and overhands as well as hammer fists and back fists. the fighter can use either the Western or Thai stance which allows for either long range or short range attacks to be undertaken effectively without compromising guard.
Elbow (tee sok)-
The elbow can be used in several ways as a striking weapon: horizontal, diagonal-upwards, diagonal-downwards, uppercut, downward, backward-spinning and flying. The diagonal elbows are faster than the other forms, but are less powerful. The uppercut and flying elbows are the most powerful, so that blood might block his vision.
Kicking (Tae)-
Basically ther kicks which is use in Muay Thai is known as Front Kick and Slap Kick. Front kick is attack to the components face or direct to the chest. If a roundhouse kick is attempted by the opponent, the Thai boxer will normally check the kick, that is he will block the kick with his own shin. Thai boxers are trained to always connect with the shin.Muay Thai also includes other varieties of kicking such as the axe kick, side kick and spinning back kick. These kicks are only used in bouts by some fighters. Unlike other martial arts.
Knee (Tee kao)-
Knee or thai attack includes lots of styles, likes- straight knee (also known as a front knee), diagonal knee, curving knee , slap knee, bomb knee etcost powerful knee kick is "flying kick". A flying knee (known as hanuman thayarn in Muay Thai, and sometimes called a jumping knee) is a knee strike very similar to a front knee, except that it is performed in stand-up fighting by jumping, and often by rushing towards the opponent.
Clinch & Neck Wrestling (Djab-ko)-
Muay Thai has several other variants of the clinch, including:- arm clinch: One or both hands controls the inside of the defender's arm(s) and where the second hand if free is in the front clinch position. This clinch is used to briefly control the opponent before applying a knee strike or throw
- side clinch: One arm passes around the front of the defender with the attacker's shoulder pressed into the defender's arm pit and the other arm passing round the back which allows the attacker to apply knee strikes to the defender's back or to throw the defender readily. etc
Muay Thai scoring rules
A panel of three judges decide at the end of each round if the round resulted in a draw (scores 10:10), a win by significant margin (score 10:9) or a win by undisputed margin (10:8). At the end of the match the score judges add up the points scored and nominate a winner to the referee. If there are three different votes (win, defeat, draw) at the end of the match the verdict is a draw.
Muay Thai rules of dress
Contestants must wear no shirt or shoes. The sacred headband (Mongkon) must be removed on completion of Ram Muay ritual dance, before the start of the bout. The application of any ointment or herb that may be repugnant to your opponent is prohibited. Hands should be wrapped with soft tape not longer than 12 yards and not wider than 2 inches. This can be taped into place.
Other Rules
A Muay contest is divided into no more than five rounds. Each round is three minutes long, with a two minute rest period in between. Contestants must weigh in naked before the fight. Contestants must have been taught the art of Muay Thai boxing by a teacher. There must be a time keeper in every contest. Contesnats must complete the Ram Muay before the bout can begin.
