If you aren’t familiar with the term ‘Muay Thai’, then the first thing you need to know is that it’s the National sport of Thailand. The words ‘Muat Thai’ roughly translate into ‘Thai Boxing’, not to be confused with what you might consider to be traditional boxing – they are very different indeed, here’s how, and why;

The Art of Eight Limbs

Records show that Muay Thai is also known as the ‘Art of eight limbs”, although most people will refer to the sport as ‘Muay Thai’, or ‘Muay Boran’ (which differs slightly). The reason for its associated name of the ‘Art of eight limbs’ is simply because the style of fighting makes use of eight points of bodily contact.

How Does it Differ From ‘Boxing’?

When practiced to its full extent, and all of the required skills are used to full effect, the fighter will be using their fists, elbows, knees, shins, and feet.  As such, two fists for punching, although jabs are rarely used – the fighters aren’t really looking for a points decision. Therefor you’ll see fighters from Muay Thai Reading that punch will with immense power from either fist, the K.O being the number one priority – often compromising their own safety at the same time.

More Weapons to Use

Knees are also used with a variety of techniques to provoke a particular reaction form the opponent, however, clearly, a straight full powered knee to the head is likely to end the fight. In Muay Thai, the fighters can also use their elbows, (which are extremely) tough! More often than not though, elbows aren’t used as a power move, instead they tend to be used to cut the opponents skin, which in turn can end a fight just the same as a K.O.

The Muay Thai arsenal also includes legs for kicks, more specifically, the shin bone due to its toughness, and durability. It’s an interesting subject indeed, comparisons have been done between Muay Thai and other forms martial arts… Muay Thai shin kicks prove to be the most devastated when the correct technique is applied.

Put Them to Sleep with The Tip of Your Feet (teep)

Finally, feet are used but not for kicking, unless by accident, they are used to preform something called a ‘teep’ which is similar to a Kangaroo kick, essentially its purpose is to keep the opponent at a safe distance, a little similar to a boxer’s ‘jab’ they’ll use it to set up something more powerful. Having said that, a well-timed teep to the chin, or throat can quite easily see the recipient in a world of trouble.