Thai Boxing
Thai boxing or Muay Thai utilizes similar punches to western boxing and the same realistic training methods...but that's where the similarity ends. There are also swinging punches, backfists, overhands, and more. In Thai boxing a heavy and damaging style of kicks, knees, and elbows are also allowed, along with a unique set of clinch techniques. If the quick, snappy kicks of Tae Kwan Do and Karate can be compared to getting hit with a stick, getting hit with a Thai kick is like getting hit with a baseball bat. The punches, knees, and elbows are also thrown with the same powerful quality.
The Thai boxing guard (where the hands are held) is generally higher than in boxing. Rather than holding the hands between the chin and cheekbone level, they're often held just above the forehead, giving more protection to the head. To block lower kicks and knees, the leg is raised as a shield.
In Hertao we use a variety of the kicks, punches, knees, elbows, and blocks from Thai boxing, along with the Thai clinch. We don't use the spinning punches, kicks, and elbows due to their lack of safety on the "street".
Basic Techniques
Punches
- Jab- Cross
- Hook
- Uppercut
Kicks
- Push Kick (Teep)- Thai Round Kick (Upward & Downward)
Elbows
- Diagonal- Horizontal
- Verticle
- Downward
Knees
- Upward- Forward
- Diagonal
- Curving
Thai Clinch
- Neck Tie w/ Pummeling & Off Balancing- Neck Tie w/ Knees
- Neck Tie w/ Elbows
See Clinch for additional techniques and "dirty tactics".
Thai Boxing Combinations
- Jab, Cross, Thai Round Kick- Push Kick, Jab, Cross, Thai Round Kick
- Jab, Cross, Thai Round Kick, Elbow, Knee, Elbow
- Push Kick, Thai Kick
- Jumping Knee, Diagonal Elbow, Diagonal Elbow
- Push Kick, Jumping Knee, Elbow
