 |
 |
Yang Saam Khum (three-steps walk) techniques
The peculiar, ondulating walk so typical of every Thai fighter is perhaps the most important technique to master before learning anything else. It is the basis of all footwork and the first thing to be taught a beginner nak muay. The graceful side of it is displayed during the Wai Kruu dance, while the boxers move around the ring gracefully, following an ancient rite but at the same time dangerously ready to strike like a cobra. This double-side of a Muay Thai fighters, the gentleness and the brutality, seems a common trait amongst Siamese soldiers or martial artists since centuries ago.
The yang saam khum is a way to move around the opponent without showing the direction of movement while keeping a perfect balance. Noticeably, the yang saam khum follows the high-pitching rythms of the Sarama music played throughout the fight.
|
 |
| |
 |
Kicks
There are three levels of kick: low (targets: calf, tigh, back of the knee), medium (targets: ribs and torso) and high (targets: chin, temple, neck). The basic ones are called teh phaen than (basic kicks). They are: teh pa mak (front kick), nep (pecking kick), teh tat (sweeping kick), teh pap nok (kick outside the knee joint), chorakee fat hang (reverse back kick). In muay thai, kicks are delivered with a full swing of the hips and trunk to accentuate the damage. Also is the shin, not the foot, which hits the target. This peculiarity of Thai boxing is highly risky if the kick is not successful: not a few fighters broke a shin bone hitting the tip of the opponent's raised knee. |
|
| |
 |
Elbows
The elbow is meant to cut the opponent skin and draw blood. It is used as a sharp razor, as the tip of the elbow, not the all arm, should hit the target. Therefore the aim is not at hitting bruntly, but to quickly scratch the target, like a sheet of paper going swiftly through the flesh. There are eight kinds of elbow strikes: sok ti (striking elbow), sok tat (cutting elbow), sok hut (levering elbow), sok chieng (diagonal elbow), sok sap (choping elbow), sok tong (pull down elbow), sok kuu (double embow), sok klap (reverse elbow). |
|
| |
 |
Punches
In muaythai the punches are no different from traditional boxing, perhaps with the exception that the nak muay must learn to twist the wrist a moment before the impact. This trick helps penetrating the opponent's guards and increases the power of the punch. The most used kinds of punches are the jab, the straight punch, the swing and the hook. /td> |
|
| |
 |
Knees
Knees are perhaps the most important weapon in muaythai and definitely the most used throughout any fight. Together with elbows, knees are considered lethal weapons and sufficient to demolish an opponent. The correct way to throw the knee is to thrust it straight and upwards, otherwise it will be ineffective and dangerous. The tip of the foot must be always pointing upwards, in order to be turned into pecking kicks (nep) if necessary. Nowadays you'll see plenty of knees action directed at the flanks or the abdomen, especially when fighters cling at each other necks trying to pull down, hoping for a devastating knee in the opponent's face. This seem the most common feature in muaythai matches now. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
Naiharn Boxing Club
90/6 Nai Harn Beach Road, Moo 1, 83110 Rawai
Phuket |
| |
|
|
Naiharn Boxing Club
+ 66 85 787 7435
Email : |
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
