MAE MAI MUAYTHAI
: the major of MuayThai techniques and tactics.
mean Muaythai techniques of using fists, feet, knees, and elbows efficiently in the attack and defense. The skills in Muaythai are acquired by practice and use of fists, feet, knees, and elbows harmoniously. The techniques used in teaching Muaythai vary from teacher to teacher, depending on the style each teacher can adapt. A style invented by a teacher will be given a name according to the action. When time goes by, the styles have considerably increased. They are therefore grouped and rhymed for the students to memorize. In the past, Muaythai boxers did not put on gloves. They fought with bare hands or hands wrapped with cotton yarn. The fighters could use their hands to throw, break or twist the opponents. They made use of a wide range of fighting techniques rather than strength. There emerged a lot of fighting styles accordingly. Later, the boxers are required to put on gloves like the international-style fighters and numerous rules and regulations have been issued to protect the fighters from any dangers and to facilitate the scoring system. Certain fighting styles are banned in the competition because they are regarded as a foul whereas boxers are unable to use certain skillful styles due to the guards or protectors put on their bodies. These styles were finally forgotten.
Muaythai techniques are grouped differently according to the teachers. In many Muaythai manuals, the techniques are obviously classified according to the features. The attack and counterattack is called Khon Muay or Muaythai strategy. The use of fists, feet, knees, and elbows is called Cherng Muay, Mae Mai and Look Mai, Mai Khru and Mai Kred, or simply Muaythai maneuvers. Mai Khru is the main technique that all students must learn. When it is acquired, it can be split into numerous Mai Kred or techniques
Mae Mai
Mae Mai Muay Thai means the major fighting styles regarded as basic maneuvers in Muay Thai fighting. The students have to learn and put them into practice before other trivial techniques or Look Mai will be taught. Mai Muay Thai is divided into 15 styles as follows
1. Salab Fan Pla (Cross-switch movement)
2. Paksa Waeg Rang (Bird peeping through the nest movement)
3. Chawa Sad Hok (Java throws spear movement)
4. Inao Thaenk Krit
5. Yoh Khao Phra Sumain
6. Ta Taen Kham Fak
7. Maun Yan Lak
8. Pak Look Thoy
9. Jorake Phad Hang
10. Hak Nguang Aiyara
11. Naka Bid Hang
12. Wiroon Hok Klab
13. Dab Chawala
14. Khun Yak Jab Ling
15. Hak Kho Erawan (To break the elephant's neck movement)
#Salab Fan Pla (Defend in long range)
It is a major or basic maneuver used to defend and avoid the straight punch of the opponent that leads off by stepping aside to make him miss.
The attacker : steps in and strikes the defensive's face with the left punch.
The defender : steps aside with the right foot and ducks to the right around 60 degrees. The weight is on the right foot. The right leg is slightly bent to avoid the punch. Turn the attacker's upper arm down with the right hand and turn the fist up with the left hand (like breaking the opponent's arm).
#Paksa Waeg Rang (Defend at close quarters)
This technique is used to get at close quarters so that the other techniques can be further used.
The attacker : steps in and throws the left punch to the defensive's face.
The defender : steps the foot obliquely to the left and ducks by 60 degrees with the weight on the left foot. Both arms will be held up to guard the punch with both fists kept close to each other (like wai). The elbows must be slightly extended whereas the head and face are behind both-hand guard. The defensive has to keep the eyes on the attacker's right fist.
#Chawa Sad Hok (Throwing elbow at long range)
This technique is used to avoid the straight punch of the attacker and counter the attack with elbow strike.
The attacker : steps in and pushes out the left punch to the defensive's face.
The defender : steps aside to the right and ducks by 30 degrees with the weight on the right foot. The left arm must be bent and the elbow cast to the rib of the attacker
#Maun Yan Lak (Defend the punch with thrust kick)
This technique is basically used to defend the punch with thrust kick thrown to the chest or abdomen.
The attacker : steps in and throws the left punch.
The defender : steps to the right and ducks by 45 degrees to avoid the punch. Stand on the right foot while holding both hands on guard and delivering thrust kick to the chest or abdomen of the attacker.
#Pak Look Thoy (Defend the kick with elbow)
This technique is basically used to defend the kick with elbow.
The attacker : is in the kicking range and repeatedly throws the right kicks to the defensive's rib. Both arms are held up to guard the face.
The defensive : slips to the left and steps the left foot backward. Bend the right arm so that the right elbow guards the kicks of the attacker whereas the left arm is held up to guard the face.
#Jorake Phad Hang or spin kick (defend the punch with spin kick)
This technique is intended to throw the heel kick to the back. When the opponent is off balance, the spin kick will be thrown.
The attacker : steps in with the left foot and throws the left punch.
The defensive : steps to the right with the right foot to avoid the punch. Hold the arms up to guard the face while rotating the whole body on the left foot and throwing the right heel to the abdomen or neck of the attacker.
#Hak Nguang Aiyara (Elbow strike to the ham string)
This technique is used to counter the kick by striking an elbow on the hamstring to reduce the strength.
The attacker : repeatedly throws the right kicks to the rib of the defensive while holding both hands to guard the face.
The defensive : takes the right step forward to get the distance while turning to the left and bending the right knee on the stretched foot. Hold the right foot of the attacker up with the left hand and throw the right elbow to the attacker's hamstring. Pull the right foot of the attacker higher to make him off-balance and prevent the attacker from throwing the elbow on the head.
# Naka Bid Hang (twist the leg and throw the knee strike to the calf or knee joint)
This technique is used to defend against the kick by holding the foot of the opponent and twisting it while throwing the knee strike to the leg.
The attacker : repeatedly throws the right kicks to the rib of the defensive and holds both hands in the guard.
The defensive : slips to the left and holds the foot of the attacker with both hands. Twist the tip of foot while throwing the right knee to the calf or knee joint of the attacker.
#Wiroon Hok Klab (Defend against the kick with thrust kick)
This technique is used to defend against the kick by throwing the heel to hit the hamstring.
The attacker : throws the left kick to the rib of the defensive.
The defensive : delivers a thrust kick to the left hamstring of the attacker and holds up both hand guard. The thrust kick must be performed rapidly and forcefully to make the attacker off-balance.
#Dab Chawala (Deflect the punch)
This technique is used to deflect the straight punch thrown to the face of the defensive.
The attacker : steps in with the left foot and throws the left punch to the face of the defensive.
The defensive : takes a right step forward and turns to the right while deflecting the punch and pressing it down. At the same time, the defensive throws the left punch to the face of the attacker and steps aside on the right.
# Hak Kho Erawan (Hold the opponent's neck down and throw the knee strike)
The attacker : steps in with the left foot and throws the left punch while holding the right arm to guard the chin.
The defensive : rapidly takes a left step toward the attacker and deflect the attacker's left arm with his right arm. Hold the neck of the attacker down with both hands and throw a jumping knee strike to the face of the attacker.
#Khun Yak Jab Ling (Defend against punch, kick and elbow)
It is one of the most important techniques used to defend against the punch, kick and elbow of the opponent during clinching. The training practice is divided into 3 stages.
Stage 1
The attacker walks in with the left foot and throws the left punch to the face of the defensive.
The defensive takes a left step toward the attacker and deflect the attacker's left arm with his right hand.
Stage 2
The attacker repeated throws the right kicks to the rib of the defensive.
The defensive takes a left step backward and ducks while throwing the right elbow to hit the right thigh of the attacker.
Stage 3
The attacker bends the right arm and ducks to strike the elbow to the head of the defensive.
The defensive promptly bends the arm to counter the elbow and takes a right step backward.