UNDERSTANDING MUAY THAI FIGHTING STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES

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A Muay Thai fighter can attack you from either sides


Muay Thai fighters always attack in a series. In other words, they do not attack once, then think of a second attack, which is what many martial artists do and which makes them hesitant and slow.

To be able to counter Muay Thai fighters more effectively, it is necessary to know the attack sequences they commonly use. Sifu Roland and Peter demonstrate the Muay Thai attack sequences.

For better understanding, we shall label them as follows:

  1. Right kick, left kick, right elbow.
  2. Left jab, right sweeping kick, left reverse kick, right elbow.
  3. Left tap, right elbow, left elbow, and knee jab.
  4. Low right sweeping kick, high left sweeping kick, right horizontal elbow, left vertical elbow.
  5. False right jab, right knee, left knee, right knee.
  6. Left tap, left jab, right jab.
  7. Left tap, right low sweep, right horizontal elbow.
  8. Right horizontal elbow, left vertical elbow, right knee


Please click the pictures below to view the videos

Poise of Muay Thai Fighter Different from that of Boxer

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The typical poise of a Muay Thai fighter is different from that of a Boxer. A Boxer usually has one leg and one hand in front of the others, but a Muay Thai fighter has both hands in front, and his feet are spaced out in parallel, giving him the option to attack easily from both sides.

Right Kick, Left Kick, Right Elbow

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Sifu Roland demonstrates a common Muay Thai attack sequence. He initiates with a right kick, then a left kick, followed by a right elbow strike. How would you counter such attacks?

Left Jab, Right Sweeping Kick, Left Reverse Kick, Right Elbow

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Here is another Muay Thai attack sequence. Sifu Roland starts with a left jab, then a right sweeping kick and a left reverse round-house, followed by a right elbow strike. Muay Thai attacks never come singly; they are always in a series.

Tap, Two Elbows and a Knee Jab

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Sifu Roland shows a few Muay Thai sequences. One formidable sequence is to initiate with a frontal leg tap, followed by right and left elbows, and then a right knee jab.

Two Sweeping Kicks and Two Elbow Strikes

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Sifu Roland starts with a low right sweeping kick, follows with a high left sweep kick, continues with a right horizontal elbow strike and completes with a left vertical elbow strike.

Three Consecutive Knee Jabs

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Sifu Roland gives a false right punch. His purpose is to grab the opponent's head and executes three consecutive knee jabs. Many martial artists find it hard to counter Muay Thai knee jabs. Do you know how?

Tap and Two Jabs

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Peter demonstrates another Muay Thai attack sequence. He executes a leg tap, and follows with a left jab and a right jab. It is quite similar to a Boxer's attacks except that he starts with a leg tap.

Tap, Sweeping and Elbow

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Here is another attack sequence by Peter who poises as a Muay Thai fighter. He initiates with a left kick tap, continues with a right low sweep, follows with a right horizontal elbow strike.

Five Different Techniques in Five Continuous Attacks

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Here Peter adds two more patterns to the sequence he has just shown. This new sequence, which has five attack patterns, consists of a left leg tap, a right low sweeping kick, a left horizontal elbow strike, a left vertical elbow strike and a left knee jab. It incorporates five different techniques in five continuous attacks.

Two Elbow Strikes and a Knee Jab

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To facilitate systematic learning, Grandmaster Wong asks Peter to take out the first two attacks from the five-attack sequence he has just shown, thus making a new sequence of three attacks. Hence, the sequence consists of two elbow strikes and a knee jab. In what way do you think keeping three attacks in an attack sequence can facilitate learning?

Creating Different Combinations of Sequences

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The advantage of keeping three attacks to one sequence can be seen here. Instead of having five attacks in one sequence, Peter now has two sequences with three attacks each. Notice that the last attack of the first sequence is the same as the first attack of the second sequence. In the same way, you can create different combinations from the two sequences.


You can view all the videos above by clicking the picture or the caption below

Understanding Muay Thai Fghting Strategies and Techniques from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.

LINKS

How to Think and Act as a Master

Click here for an Overview of the entire course

  1. Returning to the Basics
  2. Form, Force, Flow and Element of Threat
  3. Reviewing the Basic Combat Sequences
  4. Devising Strategies Using Combat Sequences
  5. Applying Strategies for Effective Combat
  6. Free Sparring with Prescribed Conditions
  7. Combat Sequences to Train Spontaneous Attacks and Responses
  8. Using Strategies and Tactics in Attack and Defence
  9. It is Heartening to see so Many People Using Kungfu in Free Sparring
  10. Felling and Gripping Techniques in Shaolin Kungfu
  1. How Sequence Training and Chi Flow Enhance Combat Efficiency
  2. The Tiger-Crane Set — Manifesting the Hard and the Soft in Shaolin Kungfu
  3. The Dragon-Tiger Set — Crystallization of Two Wahnam Traditions
  4. The Dragon-Form Set — Demonstrating that Softness Can be Very Powerful
  5. Shaolin Monkey Set — Symbolizing Spiritual Path from Cheekiness to Enlightenment
  6. Shaolin Five-Animal Set — Gist of Shaolin Forms and Essence
  7. Shaolin Pakua Set Set — An Exclusive Set Fit for Kings and Generals
  8. Combat Application pf Pakua — Sharing Secrets for Combat Efficiency
  9. Beginning to Learn some Monkey Tricks
  10. Refining Techniques in Combat
  1. Some Examples of High level Combat
  2. Collective Effort for Greater Benefits
  3. Can Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques be Used in Combat?
  4. Skills are usually More Important than Techniques
  5. One-Finger Shooting Zen — the Treasure of Shaolin Wahnam
  6. Raising Levels of Techniques and Tactics in Combat
  7. Bringing Combat Skills to More Sophisticated Levels
  8. Monkey Techniques are Flowing and Agile but can be Very Devastating
  9. Flowing with the Opponent's Momentum
  10. Beware of the Monkey Tricks
  1. Marvelous Techniques Beget Marvelous Techniques
  2. How to Raise your Level of Combat
  3. How you can Defeat your Opponents
  4. Employing Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques to Enhance Combat Efficiency
  5. Systematic Training is Essential for Combat Efficiency
  6. Raising Combat Efficiency from Basic to Advanced Levels
  7. Kungfu Philosophy and Swaying Willows
  8. Hands Pave the Way, Kicks to Clinch Victory
  9. Six Harmonies of the Double Tiger Claws
  10. The Amazement and Effectiveness of Monkey Kicks
  1. A Bag Full of Monkey Tricks
  2. Gentle and Flowing, yet Very Powerful
  3. Can your Responses still be Correct and Spontaneous in Real Fights?
  4. Incorporating Kicks into Combat Sequences
  5. Elaborate Patterns to Meet Complex Combat Situations
  6. The Benefits of Understanding and Applying Kungfu Philosophy
  7. Our Kungfu is a Training of Energy and Mind
  8. Ensuring Own Safety when Felling Opponents
  9. The Beauty and Profundity of Shaolin Felling Techniques
  10. Felling Techniques of the Dragon and the Monkey
  1. Felling an Opponent Without him Realizing What has Happened
  2. Pattern Analysis of the Tiger-Crane Set
  3. Tiger Patterns for Chin-Na, Against Kicks and Countering the Shoot
  4. Pattern Analysis of the Dragon-Tiger Set
  5. Revealing the Secret Tactic of Leak Hand
  6. From the Level of Techniques to the Levels of Tactics and Strategies
  7. Pattern Analysis of the Dragon-Form Set
  8. Effective Techniques for Fighting on the Ground
  9. Pattern Analysis of the Monkey Set
  10. Soft Techniques and Internal Force in Monkey Kungfu
  1. Interesting Monkey Patterns that are Deadly for Combat
  2. Pattern Analysis of the Pakua Set
  3. Pattern Analysis of the Five-Animal Set
  4. Variety of Techniques in Shaolin Five Animals
  5. Investigating the Combat Applications of Some Patterns
  6. Similar Patterns but Different Applications
  7. Effective Counters against Kicks, Grips and Knee Jabs
  8. Secrets of Skyward Cannon Punch in Continuous Attack
  9. Cannon Punch Towards Sky and Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground
  10. Flowing Monkey Techniques against Powerful Tiger Claws
  1. Sophisticated Grips and Sophisticated Counters
  2. Breaking an Opponent's Elbow and Wrist
  3. Neutralizing Wrist Lock and the Three Harmonies
  4. Advanced Chin-Na Techniques and Counters
  5. Two Stories about Kicks
  6. How to Respond to Attacks Spontaneously and Correctly
  7. Can Beautiful Patterns and Flowing Movements be Effective in Combat?
  8. Linking Combat Sequences into a Set
  9. From Pre-Arranged Sparring to Combat Efficiency
  10. Crystalization of Combat Techniques from Past Masters
  1. Hei Sai or the Spirit of Energy
  2. Manifesting the Energy and Spirit of your Form
  3. Manifesting the Spirit of the Form
  4. Kungfu Practice is not just Physical Training but also Spiritual Cultivation
  5. Fluidity of Form, Energy and Spirit
  6. Shaolin Kungfu is Chi Kung and Meditation
  7. Revealing the Secrets of Shaolin Masters
  8. The Profundity of Shaolin Combat Application
  9. It is Easy to Fight against Boxers
  10. Avoiding a Boxer's Strong Points and Attacking his Weaknesses
  1. Some Effective Tactics against Boxers
  2. The Strategy of Not Allowing an Opponent to Escape
  3. The Strategy of Letting Trick Manifesting Trick
  4. The Strategies of Interception and of Striking Form
  5. Standardized Routines of Kick-Boxing Attacks
  6. Some Effective Counters to Kick-Boxing Attacks
  7. Felling a Kick-Boxer when he Kicks
  8. The Secrets of Two Tigers Subdue Dragon
  9. Shaolin Counters against Kick-Boxing and Karate
  10. Some Important Combat Philosophy and Principles
  1. It is Relatively Easy to Handle Karate Attacks
  2. Good Spacing When Executing Kicks
  3. A Variety of Taekwondo Kicks
  4. Effective Shaolin Counters against Taekwondo Kicks
  5. Trapping Legs and Subduing Opponents
  6. Making Expedient Changes to Surprised Attacks
  7. The Legacy of Sigung Ho Fatt Nam — Planting Willow in Front of Camp
  8. Having Fun in Throws and their Counters
  9. Sharing the Secret of Move Stance Change Step
  10. Some Unorthodox Felling Techniques Not Commonly Seen
  1. Felling Opponents with your Stances!
  2. Beware of Monkeys; they are Expert at Plucking Peaches
  3. Sophisticated Footwork and Leg Techniques of Monkeys and Gorillas
  4. Wrestling Throws are Found in Shaolin Kungfu Too
  5. Real Fighting is Different from Martial Sports
  6. Who Says there is no Ground-Fighting in Shaolin Kungfu
  7. An Incredible Secret of One-Finger Zen
  8. Understanding Muay Thai Fighting Strategies and Techniques
  9. Various Strategies to Counter Muay Thai Fighters
  10. Responding to Muay Thai Attacks Spontaneously and Correctly
  1. Avoiding Opponent's Strength and Attacking his Weakness
  2. Effective Ways to Counter Sweeping Kicks
  3. Effective Counters against Knee and Elbow Strikes
  4. Crouching Tiger against Grab Neck Elbow Strike
  5. Shaolin Kungfu for Combat Efficiency, Good Health and Spiritual Development

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