Wednesday 23 April 2008
Kicking techniques (dhe)
EnglishThaiTransliteration
Straight KickเตะตรงDhe Dhrong
Nutcracker Kickเตะผ่าหมากDhe Paa Maak
Roundhouse KickเตะตัดDhe Dhad
Diagonal KickเตะเฉียงDhe Chiyang
Half-Shin, Half-Knee Kickเตะครึ่งแข้งครึ่งเข่าDhe Krueng Kheng Krueng Kao
Spinning Heel Kick
เตะกลับหลังDhe Glab Lang
Down Roundhouse KickเตะกดDhe KodAxe Heel KickDhe Khouk
Jump KickกระโดดเตะGra-dode DheStep-Up Kick Yiep Dhe
Straight KickเตะตรงDhe Dhrong
Nutcracker Kickเตะผ่าหมากDhe Paa Maak
Roundhouse KickเตะตัดDhe Dhad
Diagonal KickเตะเฉียงDhe Chiyang
Half-Shin, Half-Knee Kickเตะครึ่งแข้งครึ่งเข่าDhe Krueng Kheng Krueng Kao
Spinning Heel Kick
เตะกลับหลังDhe Glab Lang
Down Roundhouse KickเตะกดDhe KodAxe Heel KickDhe Khouk
Jump KickกระโดดเตะGra-dode DheStep-Up Kick Yiep Dhe
The two most common kicks in Muay Thai are known as the teep (literally "foot jab,"), and the TAE(kick)chieng (kicking upwards in the shape of a triangle cutting under the arm and ribs) or angle kick. The Muay Thai angle kick has been widely adopted by fighters from other martial arts. The angle kick uses a rotational movement of the entire body. The angle kick is superficially similar to a karate roundhouse kick, but omits the rotation of the lower leg from the knee used in other striking martial arts like Karate or Taekwondo. The angle kick draws its power entirely from the rotational movement of the body. Many Muay Thai fighters use a counter rotation of the arms to intensify the power of this kick.
A Thai fighter uses this to his advantage, and if a round house kick is attempted by the opponent the fighter will block with his shin. Thai boxers are trained to always connect with the shin. While sensitive in an unconditioned practitioner, the shin is the strongest part of the leg for experienced Muay Thai fighters. The foot contains many fine bones and is much weaker. A fighter may end up hurting himself if he tries to attack with his foot.
Muay Thai also includes other varieties of kicking, such as the axe kick, side kick or spinning back kick etc. These kicks, depending on the fighter are utilized as to the preference of the fighter. It is worth noting that a side kick is performed differently in Muay Thai than the traditional side kick of other martial arts. In Muay Thai, a side kick is executed by first raising the knee of the leg that is going to kick in order to convince the opponent that the executor is going to perform a teep or front kick. The hips are then shifted to the side to the more traditional side kick position for the kick itself. The "fake-out" always precedes the kick in Muay Thai technique.
A Thai fighter uses this to his advantage, and if a round house kick is attempted by the opponent the fighter will block with his shin. Thai boxers are trained to always connect with the shin. While sensitive in an unconditioned practitioner, the shin is the strongest part of the leg for experienced Muay Thai fighters. The foot contains many fine bones and is much weaker. A fighter may end up hurting himself if he tries to attack with his foot.
Muay Thai also includes other varieties of kicking, such as the axe kick, side kick or spinning back kick etc. These kicks, depending on the fighter are utilized as to the preference of the fighter. It is worth noting that a side kick is performed differently in Muay Thai than the traditional side kick of other martial arts. In Muay Thai, a side kick is executed by first raising the knee of the leg that is going to kick in order to convince the opponent that the executor is going to perform a teep or front kick. The hips are then shifted to the side to the more traditional side kick position for the kick itself. The "fake-out" always precedes the kick in Muay Thai technique.
Foot-thrust techniques (teep)
Foot-thrust techniques (teep)
Landing the "Foot jab"
Foot-Thrusts also known as Push Kicks or literally "foot jabs" are one of the most common techniques used in Muay Thai. Teeps are different from any other Muay Thai technique in terms of objective to use. Foot-thrusts are mainly used as an offensive technique to block opponent's attacks, and get an opponent off balance. Foot-Thrusts should be thrown quickly but yet with enough force to knock an opponent off balance.
English Thai Transliteration IPA
Straight Foot-Thrust Teep Dhrong
Sideways Foot-Thrust Teep Kang
Reverse Foot-Thrust Teep Glab Lang
Slapping Foot-Thrust Teep Dhob
Jumping Foot-ThrustGra-dode Teep
Landing the "Foot jab"
Foot-Thrusts also known as Push Kicks or literally "foot jabs" are one of the most common techniques used in Muay Thai. Teeps are different from any other Muay Thai technique in terms of objective to use. Foot-thrusts are mainly used as an offensive technique to block opponent's attacks, and get an opponent off balance. Foot-Thrusts should be thrown quickly but yet with enough force to knock an opponent off balance.
English Thai Transliteration IPA
Straight Foot-Thrust Teep Dhrong
Sideways Foot-Thrust Teep Kang
Reverse Foot-Thrust Teep Glab Lang
Slapping Foot-Thrust Teep Dhob
Jumping Foot-ThrustGra-dode Teep
The clinch
In Western Boxing, the two fighters are separated when they clinch, in Muay Thai however, they are not. It is often in the clinch where knee and elbow techniques are used. The front clinch should be performed with the palm of one hand on the back of the other. There are three reasons why the fingers must not be intertwined. 1) In the ring fighters are wearing boxing gloves and cannot intertwine their fingers. 2) The Thai front clinch involves pressing the head of the opponent downwards, which is easier if the hands are locked behind the back of the head instead of behind the neck. Furthermore the arms should be putting as much pressure on the neck as possible. 3) A fighter may incur an injury to one or more fingers they are intertwined, and it is harder to release the grip to quickly elbow the opponent's head.
A correct clinch also involves the fighter's forearms pressing against the opponent's collar bone while the hands are around the opponent's head rather than the opponent's neck. The general way to get out of a clinch is to push the opponent's head backwards or elbow him or her, as the clinch requires both participants to be very close to one another. Additionally, the non-dominant clincher can try to "swim" his or her arm underneath and inside the opponent's clinch, establishing the previously non-dominant clincher as the dominant clincher.
Muay Thai has several other variants of the clinch, including:
arm clinch, where 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 passing 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
low clinch, with both controlling arms passing under the defender's arms, which is generally used by the shorter of two opponents
swan-neck where one hand around the rear of the neck is used to briefly clinch an opponent (before a strike).In Western Boxing, the two fighters are separated when they clinch, in Muay Thai however, they are not. It is often in the clinch where knee and elbow techniques are used. The front clinch should be performed with the palm of one hand on the back of the other. There are three reasons why the fingers must not be intertwined. 1) In the ring fighters are wearing boxing gloves and cannot intertwine their fingers. 2) The Thai front clinch involves pressing the head of the opponent downwards, which is easier if the hands are locked behind the back of the head instead of behind the neck. Furthermore the arms should be putting as much pressure on the neck as possible. 3) A fighter may incur an injury to one or more fingers they are intertwined, and it is harder to release the grip to quickly elbow the opponent's head.
A correct clinch also involves the fighter's forearms pressing against the opponent's collar bone while the hands are around the opponent's head rather than the opponent's neck. The general way to get out of a clinch is to push the opponent's head backwards or elbow him or her, as the clinch requires both participants to be very close to one another. Additionally, the non-dominant clincher can try to "swim" his or her arm underneath and inside the opponent's clinch, establishing the previously non-dominant clincher as the dominant clincher.
Muay Thai has several other variants of the clinch, including:
arm clinch, where 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 passing 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
low clinch, with both controlling arms passing under the defender's arms, which is generally used by the shorter of two opponents
swan-neck where one hand around the rear of the neck is used to briefly clinch an opponent (before a strike).
A correct clinch also involves the fighter's forearms pressing against the opponent's collar bone while the hands are around the opponent's head rather than the opponent's neck. The general way to get out of a clinch is to push the opponent's head backwards or elbow him or her, as the clinch requires both participants to be very close to one another. Additionally, the non-dominant clincher can try to "swim" his or her arm underneath and inside the opponent's clinch, establishing the previously non-dominant clincher as the dominant clincher.
Muay Thai has several other variants of the clinch, including:
arm clinch, where 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 passing 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
low clinch, with both controlling arms passing under the defender's arms, which is generally used by the shorter of two opponents
swan-neck where one hand around the rear of the neck is used to briefly clinch an opponent (before a strike).In Western Boxing, the two fighters are separated when they clinch, in Muay Thai however, they are not. It is often in the clinch where knee and elbow techniques are used. The front clinch should be performed with the palm of one hand on the back of the other. There are three reasons why the fingers must not be intertwined. 1) In the ring fighters are wearing boxing gloves and cannot intertwine their fingers. 2) The Thai front clinch involves pressing the head of the opponent downwards, which is easier if the hands are locked behind the back of the head instead of behind the neck. Furthermore the arms should be putting as much pressure on the neck as possible. 3) A fighter may incur an injury to one or more fingers they are intertwined, and it is harder to release the grip to quickly elbow the opponent's head.
A correct clinch also involves the fighter's forearms pressing against the opponent's collar bone while the hands are around the opponent's head rather than the opponent's neck. The general way to get out of a clinch is to push the opponent's head backwards or elbow him or her, as the clinch requires both participants to be very close to one another. Additionally, the non-dominant clincher can try to "swim" his or her arm underneath and inside the opponent's clinch, establishing the previously non-dominant clincher as the dominant clincher.
Muay Thai has several other variants of the clinch, including:
arm clinch, where 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 passing 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
low clinch, with both controlling arms passing under the defender's arms, which is generally used by the shorter of two opponents
swan-neck where one hand around the rear of the neck is used to briefly clinch an opponent (before a strike).
Defense against attacks
Defenses in Muay Thai are categorised in 6 groups:
Blocking - defender's hard blocks to stop a strike in its path so preventing it reaching its target, (eg the Shin Block described in more detail below)
Redirection - defender's soft parries to change the direction of a strike (eg a downwards tap to a jab) so that it misses the target
Avoidance - moving a body part out of the way or range of a strike so the defender remains in range for a counter-strike, eg defender moving the front leg backwards from the attacker's low kick: then immediately counter-attacking with an angle kick: or defender laying the head back from the attacker's high angle kick: then immediately counter-attacking with a side kick from the front leg:
Evasion - moving the body out of the way or range of a strike so the defender has to move close again to counter-attack, eg defender jumping back from attacker's kicks
Disruption - Pre-empting an attack. eg with defender using disruptive techniques like jab, teep or low angle kick (to the inside of the attacker's front leg) as the attacker attempts to close distance
Anticipation - Defender catching a strike (eg catching an angle kick to the body) or countering it before it lands (eg defender's low kick to the supporting leg below as the attacker iniates a high angle kick).
Blocking - defender's hard blocks to stop a strike in its path so preventing it reaching its target, (eg the Shin Block described in more detail below)
Redirection - defender's soft parries to change the direction of a strike (eg a downwards tap to a jab) so that it misses the target
Avoidance - moving a body part out of the way or range of a strike so the defender remains in range for a counter-strike, eg defender moving the front leg backwards from the attacker's low kick: then immediately counter-attacking with an angle kick: or defender laying the head back from the attacker's high angle kick: then immediately counter-attacking with a side kick from the front leg:
Evasion - moving the body out of the way or range of a strike so the defender has to move close again to counter-attack, eg defender jumping back from attacker's kicks
Disruption - Pre-empting an attack. eg with defender using disruptive techniques like jab, teep or low angle kick (to the inside of the attacker's front leg) as the attacker attempts to close distance
Anticipation - Defender catching a strike (eg catching an angle kick to the body) or countering it before it lands (eg defender's low kick to the supporting leg below as the attacker iniates a high angle kick).
Defense against attacks
Defensively, the concept of "wall of defence" is used, in which shoulders, arms and legs are used to hinder the attacker from successfully executing techniques. Blocking is a critical element in Muay Thai and compounds the level of conditioning a successful practitioner must possess. Low and mid body roundhouse kicks are normally blocked with the upper portion of a raised shin. High body strikes are blocked with the forearm/glove, elbow/shin. Mid section roundhouse kicks can also be caught/trapped, allowing for a sweep or counter attack to the remaining leg of the opponent. Punches are blocked with an ordinary boxing guard and techniques similar, if not identical, to basic boxing technique. A common means of blocking a punch is using the hand on the same side as the oncoming punch. For example, if an orthodox fighter throws a jab (being the left hand), the defender will make a slight tap to redirect the punch's angle with the right hand. The deflection is always as small and precise as possible to avoid unnecessary energy expenditure and return the hand to the guard as quickly as possible. Hooks are most often blocked with a motion most often described as "combing your hair," raising the elbow forward and effectively shielding the head with the forearm, flexed bicep, and shoulder. More advanced Muay Thai blocks are usually counters, used to damage the opponent to prevent another attack being made
Conditioning
Conditioning
A fighter doing some heavy bag work in a training camp in Thailand.
Like most competitive full contact fighting sports, Muay Thai has a heavy focus on body conditioning. Muay Thai is specifically designed to promote the level of fitness and toughness required for ring competition. Training regimens include many staples of combat sport conditioning such as running, shadowboxing, rope jumping, body weight resistance exercises, medicine ball exercises, abdominal exercises, and in some cases weight training.
Training that is specific to a Muay Thai fighter includes training with coaches on Thai pads, focus mitts, heavy bag, and sparring. The daily training includes many rounds (3-5 minute periods broken up by a short rest, often 1-2 minutes) of these various methods of practice. Thai pad training is a cornerstone of Muay Thai conditioning which involves practicing punches, kicks, knees, and elbow strikes with a trainer wearing thick pads which cover the forearms and hands. These special pads are used to absorb the impact of the fighter’s strikes and allow the fighter to react to the attacks of the pad holder. The trainer will often also wear a belly pad around the abdominal area so that the fighter can attack with straight kicks or knees to the body at anytime during the round.
Focus mitts are specific to training a fighter’s hand speed, punch combinations, timing, punching power, defense, and counter-punching are may also be used to practice elbow strikes. Heavy bag training is a conditioning and power exercise that reinforces the techniques practiced on the pads. Sparring is a means to test technique, skills, range, strategy, and timing against a partner. Sparring is often a light to medium contact exercise because competitive fighters on a full schedule are not advised to risk injury by sparring hard. Specific tactics and strategies can be trained with sparring including in close fighting, clinching and kneeing only, cutting off the ring, or using reach and distance to keep an aggressive fighter away.
A fighter doing some heavy bag work in a training camp in Thailand.
Like most competitive full contact fighting sports, Muay Thai has a heavy focus on body conditioning. Muay Thai is specifically designed to promote the level of fitness and toughness required for ring competition. Training regimens include many staples of combat sport conditioning such as running, shadowboxing, rope jumping, body weight resistance exercises, medicine ball exercises, abdominal exercises, and in some cases weight training.
Training that is specific to a Muay Thai fighter includes training with coaches on Thai pads, focus mitts, heavy bag, and sparring. The daily training includes many rounds (3-5 minute periods broken up by a short rest, often 1-2 minutes) of these various methods of practice. Thai pad training is a cornerstone of Muay Thai conditioning which involves practicing punches, kicks, knees, and elbow strikes with a trainer wearing thick pads which cover the forearms and hands. These special pads are used to absorb the impact of the fighter’s strikes and allow the fighter to react to the attacks of the pad holder. The trainer will often also wear a belly pad around the abdominal area so that the fighter can attack with straight kicks or knees to the body at anytime during the round.
Focus mitts are specific to training a fighter’s hand speed, punch combinations, timing, punching power, defense, and counter-punching are may also be used to practice elbow strikes. Heavy bag training is a conditioning and power exercise that reinforces the techniques practiced on the pads. Sparring is a means to test technique, skills, range, strategy, and timing against a partner. Sparring is often a light to medium contact exercise because competitive fighters on a full schedule are not advised to risk injury by sparring hard. Specific tactics and strategies can be trained with sparring including in close fighting, clinching and kneeing only, cutting off the ring, or using reach and distance to keep an aggressive fighter away.
Boxing gloves
Boxing gloves
CategoryWeight (up to)
Junior Middleweight and upwards10 ounce (280 grams)
Featherweight - Welterweight8 ounce (230 grams)
Mini Flyweight - Junior Featherweight4 ounce (130 grams)
CategoryWeight (up to)
Junior Middleweight and upwards10 ounce (280 grams)
Featherweight - Welterweight8 ounce (230 grams)
Mini Flyweight - Junior Featherweight4 ounce (130 grams)
The rules
The rules
Muay Thai is practiced in many different countries. There are different rules depending on what country the fight is in and under what organization the fight is arranged. These rules, however, are gathered from the rules section of the World Muay Thai Council's web site. This is not the complete rulebook, but it contains a selection of the most important or most interesting rules.
Weight divisions
Muay Thai is practiced in many different countries. There are different rules depending on what country the fight is in and under what organization the fight is arranged. These rules, however, are gathered from the rules section of the World Muay Thai Council's web site. This is not the complete rulebook, but it contains a selection of the most important or most interesting rules.
Weight divisions
CategoryWeight (up to)
Super Heavyweight209 lb+ (95 kg+)
Heavyweight190 lb+ (86 kg+)
Cruiserweight190 lb (86 kg)
Light Heavyweight175 lb (79 kg)
Super Middleweight168 lb (76 kg)
Middleweight160 lb (73 kg)
Junior Middleweight154 lb (70 kg)
Welterweight147 lb (67 kg)
Junior Welterweight140 lb (64 kg)
Lightweight135 lb (61 kg)
Junior Lightweight130 lb (59 kg)
Featherweight126 lb (57 kg)
Junior Featherweight122 lb (55 kg)
Bantamweight118 lb (54 kg)
Junior Bantamweight115 lb (52 kg)
Flyweight112 lb (51 kg)
Junior Flyweight108 lb (49 kg)
Mini Flyweight105 lb (48 kg)
Super Heavyweight209 lb+ (95 kg+)
Heavyweight190 lb+ (86 kg+)
Cruiserweight190 lb (86 kg)
Light Heavyweight175 lb (79 kg)
Super Middleweight168 lb (76 kg)
Middleweight160 lb (73 kg)
Junior Middleweight154 lb (70 kg)
Welterweight147 lb (67 kg)
Junior Welterweight140 lb (64 kg)
Lightweight135 lb (61 kg)
Junior Lightweight130 lb (59 kg)
Featherweight126 lb (57 kg)
Junior Featherweight122 lb (55 kg)
Bantamweight118 lb (54 kg)
Junior Bantamweight115 lb (52 kg)
Flyweight112 lb (51 kg)
Junior Flyweight108 lb (49 kg)
Mini Flyweight105 lb (48 kg)
According to rule 8, section 2, the minimum weight to compete is 100 pounds (45 kg).
Dress Code
Dress Code
I BOXER'S ATTIRE
1. Only boxing shorts are to be worn, the colour of which depending on the corner; red, pink, or maroon or with a red stripe for the red corner; blue, bright blue, black for the blue corner. The dressing gown will be as specified by the World Muay Thai Council.
2. To ensure the boxer's safety, a groin protector must be worn and tied only at the back.
3. Long hair and/or beards are prohibited. A short mustache is allowed but the hair must not extend over the lip.
4. The Mongkol should be worn when performing the Wai Kru (paying respect to one's teacher), prior to the match start. Amulets are only to be worn on the arm or waist and covered by material to avoid injury.
5. Single elastic bandages are allowed to be worn on the arm or legs to prevent sprains, however insertion of a shin guard, etc, is not allowed.
6. No metalized material, decoration or jewellery are allowed to be worn.
7. The use of Vaseline, fat or any similar substance by the boxer to gain unfair advantage is not allowed.
8. Boxer may wear elastic ankle bandages to protect his feet.
II. Any infringement to the dress code may result in the fighter's disqualification. In the case of any problem with the boxing gloves themselves, the referee may temporarily halt the match until they are corrected.
1. Only boxing shorts are to be worn, the colour of which depending on the corner; red, pink, or maroon or with a red stripe for the red corner; blue, bright blue, black for the blue corner. The dressing gown will be as specified by the World Muay Thai Council.
2. To ensure the boxer's safety, a groin protector must be worn and tied only at the back.
3. Long hair and/or beards are prohibited. A short mustache is allowed but the hair must not extend over the lip.
4. The Mongkol should be worn when performing the Wai Kru (paying respect to one's teacher), prior to the match start. Amulets are only to be worn on the arm or waist and covered by material to avoid injury.
5. Single elastic bandages are allowed to be worn on the arm or legs to prevent sprains, however insertion of a shin guard, etc, is not allowed.
6. No metalized material, decoration or jewellery are allowed to be worn.
7. The use of Vaseline, fat or any similar substance by the boxer to gain unfair advantage is not allowed.
8. Boxer may wear elastic ankle bandages to protect his feet.
II. Any infringement to the dress code may result in the fighter's disqualification. In the case of any problem with the boxing gloves themselves, the referee may temporarily halt the match until they are corrected.
Wai kru
Wai kru, ram muay and round definition
Prior to the start of the first round, both fighters shall perform the Wai Kru (paying respect to the teacher[citation needed]), and Ram Muay (boxing dance[citation needed]), accompanied by the appropriate Thai traditional music, incorporating the Ching (cymbal[citation needed]), Klong khaek (tom-tom[citation needed]) and pi Java (Thai reed pipe). A Muay Thai match shall consist of five rounds, 3 minutes per round with a 2 minute break between each round.[citation needed] Any stoppage during the match for any reason, will not be counted as part of the 3 minute round time.
Prior to the start of the first round, both fighters shall perform the Wai Kru (paying respect to the teacher[citation needed]), and Ram Muay (boxing dance[citation needed]), accompanied by the appropriate Thai traditional music, incorporating the Ching (cymbal[citation needed]), Klong khaek (tom-tom[citation needed]) and pi Java (Thai reed pipe). A Muay Thai match shall consist of five rounds, 3 minutes per round with a 2 minute break between each round.[citation needed] Any stoppage during the match for any reason, will not be counted as part of the 3 minute round time.
Scoring
Scoring
SCORING
The standard scoring practice is as follows :
I: A strike either by a punch, kick, knee or elbow.
1. Scoring from a strike:
1.1. Points will be awarded for a correct Thai Boxing style, combined with hard and accurate strikes.
1.2. Points will be awarded for aggressive and dominating Muay Thai skill.
1.3. Points will be awarded for a fighter actively dominating his opponent.
1.4. Points will be awarded for the use of a traditional Thai style of defense and counter-attack.
1.5. Points will be deducted from a boxer who fouls or breaks the rules.
2. Non scoring strikes:
2.1. A strike which is against the rules.
2.2. A strike in defense against the leg or arm of an opponent.
2.3. A weak strike.
II. Fouls.
1. The judges will deduct points for any foul as directed by the referee.
2. Any foul observed by the judges but not by the referee, will be penalized accordingly.
C. Method Of Scoring
1. The maximum score for each round is 10 points, the loser scoring either 9, 8 or 7.
2. A drawn round will be scored as 10 points for both boxers.
3. The winner and loser in an indecisive round, will score 10:9 respectively.
4. The winner and loser in a decisive round will score 10:8 respectively.
5. The winner and loser in an indecisive round with a single count, will score 10:8 respectively.
6. The winner and loser in a decisive round with a single count, will score 10:7 respectively.
7. The boxer scoring 2 counts against his opponent will score 10:7.
8. Any boxer who commits a foul will have points deducted from his score.
SCORING
The standard scoring practice is as follows :
I: A strike either by a punch, kick, knee or elbow.
1. Scoring from a strike:
1.1. Points will be awarded for a correct Thai Boxing style, combined with hard and accurate strikes.
1.2. Points will be awarded for aggressive and dominating Muay Thai skill.
1.3. Points will be awarded for a fighter actively dominating his opponent.
1.4. Points will be awarded for the use of a traditional Thai style of defense and counter-attack.
1.5. Points will be deducted from a boxer who fouls or breaks the rules.
2. Non scoring strikes:
2.1. A strike which is against the rules.
2.2. A strike in defense against the leg or arm of an opponent.
2.3. A weak strike.
II. Fouls.
1. The judges will deduct points for any foul as directed by the referee.
2. Any foul observed by the judges but not by the referee, will be penalized accordingly.
C. Method Of Scoring
1. The maximum score for each round is 10 points, the loser scoring either 9, 8 or 7.
2. A drawn round will be scored as 10 points for both boxers.
3. The winner and loser in an indecisive round, will score 10:9 respectively.
4. The winner and loser in a decisive round will score 10:8 respectively.
5. The winner and loser in an indecisive round with a single count, will score 10:8 respectively.
6. The winner and loser in a decisive round with a single count, will score 10:7 respectively.
7. The boxer scoring 2 counts against his opponent will score 10:7.
8. Any boxer who commits a foul will have points deducted from his score.
Fouls
Fouls
1. Biting, eye gouging, spitting, or head butting.
2. Wrestling, back or arm locks or any similar judo or wrestling hold.
3. Deliberately falling on his opponent.
4. Holding the ropes for any reason.
5. Swearing or the use of abusive language during the match.
6. Knocking out or injuring his opponent after the referee has ordered the match to stop for any reason.
7. Deliberately striking the groin area.
To be penalized by the deduction of 1 point for each time committed.
A boxer who has been hit in the groin may request a 5 minute break before continuing the match.
1. Biting, eye gouging, spitting, or head butting.
2. Wrestling, back or arm locks or any similar judo or wrestling hold.
3. Deliberately falling on his opponent.
4. Holding the ropes for any reason.
5. Swearing or the use of abusive language during the match.
6. Knocking out or injuring his opponent after the referee has ordered the match to stop for any reason.
7. Deliberately striking the groin area.
To be penalized by the deduction of 1 point for each time committed.
A boxer who has been hit in the groin may request a 5 minute break before continuing the match.
Medical Inspection
Medical Inspection
1. All boxers will be certified by the doctor prior to the start of any fight and must not be suffering from any sickness or exhibit any prohibited symptom or disease, as specified in the medical manual of the Council.
2. Any boxer due to fight in a foreign country, will be physically examined by a doctor appointed by the Council Committee. He must also conform to the medical regulations of that country.
1. All boxers will be certified by the doctor prior to the start of any fight and must not be suffering from any sickness or exhibit any prohibited symptom or disease, as specified in the medical manual of the Council.
2. Any boxer due to fight in a foreign country, will be physically examined by a doctor appointed by the Council Committee. He must also conform to the medical regulations of that country.
Technical Knock Out
Procedure After Knock Out or Technical Knock Out
1. If a boxer is knocked unconscious or injured, only the doctor and the referee are allowed in the ring. Any others may only enter at the doctor's discretion.
A boxer losing by a K.O. or T.K.O. will be immediately treated and undergo a physical examination by the doctor.
2. Recovery Period - After a match, a boxer is required to rest for a minimum of 21 days prior to fighting again, with the following exceptions:
3. A winner in the first round is required to rest a minimum of 7 days prior to his next fight.
4. The winner in the third round is required to rest a minimum of 14 days prior to his next fight.
5. A boxer losing by T.K.O. or K.O. must rest for a minimum of 30 days prior to his next fight.
6. Boxer specified under Items 23.3.1 - 23.3.3, must be examined by the doctor at the end of each fight, who will then specify his rest period.
1. If a boxer is knocked unconscious or injured, only the doctor and the referee are allowed in the ring. Any others may only enter at the doctor's discretion.
A boxer losing by a K.O. or T.K.O. will be immediately treated and undergo a physical examination by the doctor.
2. Recovery Period - After a match, a boxer is required to rest for a minimum of 21 days prior to fighting again, with the following exceptions:
3. A winner in the first round is required to rest a minimum of 7 days prior to his next fight.
4. The winner in the third round is required to rest a minimum of 14 days prior to his next fight.
5. A boxer losing by T.K.O. or K.O. must rest for a minimum of 30 days prior to his next fight.
6. Boxer specified under Items 23.3.1 - 23.3.3, must be examined by the doctor at the end of each fight, who will then specify his rest period.
Drug usage
Drug usage
The use of drugs or stimulants, either before or after the fight is strictly forbidden. Any user will be disqualified. The sole drug allowed for the prevention of bleeding is epinephrine 1:1000 topically and must be administered under doctor's directions.[
The use of drugs or stimulants, either before or after the fight is strictly forbidden. Any user will be disqualified. The sole drug allowed for the prevention of bleeding is epinephrine 1:1000 topically and must be administered under doctor's directions.[
Applied to matial art
Kickboxing
Muay Thai, along with savate, karate, and taekwondo heavily influenced the development of kickboxing in Japan, Europe, and North America. However, unlike Muay Thai, many kickboxing competitions do not allow elbow strikes, knee strikes, or kicks below the waist. These rule changes have led some martial artists to consider practicing a 'watered down' version of Muay Thai.
Mixed martial arts
Starting in the 1990s, Muay Thai has enjoyed a boost in popularity worldwide as it has been very effective in mixed martial arts training. MMA artists such as Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Wanderlei Silva, and Anderson Silva have combined many striking elements of Muay Thai with grappling, Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into a hybrid synthesis that has been highly effective in their fights. Other fighters that have used Muay Thai as their primary style in mixed martial arts include Rob McCullough, Duane Ludwig, Melvin Manhoef, Alistair Overeem and Gilbert Yvel. Shoot-fighters and professional wrestlers who have trained and been influenced by Muay Thai include Satoru Sayama and Yoshiaki Fujiwara.
In popular culture
Movies
In 2004, Muay Thai boxer Asanee Suwan was named best actor at the Thailand National Film Association Awards for his portrayal of Parinya Charoenphol in Beautiful Boxer. The movie tells the true-life story of a man who masters Muay Thai in order to realize his dream of becoming a woman.
The 1971 Shaw Brothers Studio film, Duel of Fists, is set in Bangkok's Lumpinee Boxing Stadium and stars Ti Lung as a Muay Thai boxer who is the long-lost brother of a Hong Kong martial artist, portrayed by David Chiang.
Recently the films Ong-Bak, The Protector and Born to Fight helped to popularize Muay Thai. Ong-Bak demonstrates some techniques of Muay Boran and Tom-Yum-Goong illustrates the fighting style of the Thai Royal Bodyguards (Jaturongkabaht, circa 1400-1700s) - Muay Koshasan (Elephant Boxing style). Muay Koshasan is also known as Muay Chang Tumlai Roang - (Smashing Elephant Boxing style) in that it emphasizes a lot of throwing, crushing, and breaking of joints and limbs.
The film Chok Dee starring Dida Diafat who plays himself in this semi-fictional story of his life. The film covers a lot of the training filmed in the Muay Thai camps of Bangkok.
The film Kickboxer starring Jean Claude van Damme is about a young fighter who learns Muay Thai to avenge his brother, who was paralyzed by the current champion/thug.
The documentary feature film Fight or Flight starring Peter J McCarthy and also Andy Tompson of Lanna Muay Thai, based on an epic journey into thailands ring fighting circuit. Premiered in Aucklands Docnz film festival.
Television
The Contender Asia is a 15 episode reality show featuring 16 Muay Thai fighters from around the world. [3]
The History channel took a deep look into the history and fighting techniques in Muay Thai on their show Human Weapon.
Video games
In Capcom's Street Fighter video game series, the character Sagat is a Muay Thai master and a national hero in Thailand. His student Adon is also a practitioner.
In SNK's World Heroes 2, the character Naikanom Tom is based on the legendary Muay Thai hero, Nai Khanom Tom.
In the Dead Or Alive video game series, the fighter Zack is a self-taught Muay Thai master.
In 2004, Muay Thai boxer Asanee Suwan was named best actor at the Thailand National Film Association Awards for his portrayal of Parinya Charoenphol in Beautiful Boxer. The movie tells the true-life story of a man who masters Muay Thai in order to realize his dream of becoming a woman.
The 1971 Shaw Brothers Studio film, Duel of Fists, is set in Bangkok's Lumpinee Boxing Stadium and stars Ti Lung as a Muay Thai boxer who is the long-lost brother of a Hong Kong martial artist, portrayed by David Chiang.
Recently the films Ong-Bak, The Protector and Born to Fight helped to popularize Muay Thai. Ong-Bak demonstrates some techniques of Muay Boran and Tom-Yum-Goong illustrates the fighting style of the Thai Royal Bodyguards (Jaturongkabaht, circa 1400-1700s) - Muay Koshasan (Elephant Boxing style). Muay Koshasan is also known as Muay Chang Tumlai Roang - (Smashing Elephant Boxing style) in that it emphasizes a lot of throwing, crushing, and breaking of joints and limbs.
The film Chok Dee starring Dida Diafat who plays himself in this semi-fictional story of his life. The film covers a lot of the training filmed in the Muay Thai camps of Bangkok.
The film Kickboxer starring Jean Claude van Damme is about a young fighter who learns Muay Thai to avenge his brother, who was paralyzed by the current champion/thug.
The documentary feature film Fight or Flight starring Peter J McCarthy and also Andy Tompson of Lanna Muay Thai, based on an epic journey into thailands ring fighting circuit. Premiered in Aucklands Docnz film festival.
Television
The Contender Asia is a 15 episode reality show featuring 16 Muay Thai fighters from around the world. [3]
The History channel took a deep look into the history and fighting techniques in Muay Thai on their show Human Weapon.
Video games
In Capcom's Street Fighter video game series, the character Sagat is a Muay Thai master and a national hero in Thailand. His student Adon is also a practitioner.
In SNK's World Heroes 2, the character Naikanom Tom is based on the legendary Muay Thai hero, Nai Khanom Tom.
In the Dead Or Alive video game series, the fighter Zack is a self-taught Muay Thai master.
Thai boxing
Muay Thai literally Thai Boxing and also known as The Art of the Eight Limbs is the Thai name for a form of hard martial art practiced in several Southeast Asian countries including Thailand. It is known as Pradal Serey in Cambodia, Tomoi in Malaysia, Muay Lao in Laos and as a similar style called Lethwei in Burma. The different styles of kickboxing in Southeast Asia are analogous to the different types of Kung Fu in China or Silat in the Malay peninsula. The Thai military uses a modified form of Muay Thai called Lerdrit.[1]
Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand and is the country's national sport. Traditional Muay Thai practiced today varies significantly from the ancient art Muay Boran and uses kicks and punches in a ring with gloves similar to those used in Western boxing. Muay Thai is referred to as "The Science of Eight Limbs", as the hands, shins, elbows, and knees are all used extensively in this art. A master practitioner of Muay Thai thus has the ability to execute strikes using eight "points of contact," as opposed to "two points" (fists) in Western boxing and "four points" (fists, feet) used in the primarily sport-oriented forms of martial arts.
Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand and is the country's national sport. Traditional Muay Thai practiced today varies significantly from the ancient art Muay Boran and uses kicks and punches in a ring with gloves similar to those used in Western boxing. Muay Thai is referred to as "The Science of Eight Limbs", as the hands, shins, elbows, and knees are all used extensively in this art. A master practitioner of Muay Thai thus has the ability to execute strikes using eight "points of contact," as opposed to "two points" (fists) in Western boxing and "four points" (fists, feet) used in the primarily sport-oriented forms of martial arts.
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