DYNAMIC MUAY THAI

DYNAMIC MUAY THAI

Muay Thai is referred to as "The art of eight weapons", as the hands, shins, elbows, and knees are all used extensively in this art. A practitioner of Muay Thai thus has the ability to execute strikes using eight "points of contact," as opposed to "two points" (fists) in Western boxing and "four points" (fists, feet) used in the primarily sport-oriented forms of martial arts.

As a supplement to Mixed Martial Arts:

Since the 1990s, Muay Thai has enjoyed a boost in popularity worldwide as it has been very effective in mixed martial arts training and competition. MMA practitioners have combined many striking elements of Muay Thai with grappling into a hybrid synthesis that has been highly effective in their fights.

In the early days of the UFC, many titleholders relied on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling to subdue their opponents. Over the past several years, a few fighters who claim Muay Thai as their main fighting style have had great success and become titleholders.

Distinctive techniques:

Muay Thai consists of an arsenal of eight weapons-the fists, elbows, knees and feet.
Fists--The punches of Thai boxing are similar to those from Western Boxing. The Thai boxer tends to rotate at the hips more. Punching combinations in Thai boxing are used very often to set up kicks, knees, elbows, and entering of the clinch.

Elbows--The elbow can be used in several ways as a striking weapon: horizontal, diagonal-upwards, diagonal-downwards, uppercut, downward, backward-spinning and flying. Most elbows are used when the distance between fighters becomes too small and there is too little space to throw punches at the opponent's head. Elbows can also be utilized as blocks or defenses against knee strikes, body kicks, or punches.

Knees--Like elbow strikes, knee strikes are most effective from a close range fighting position. Typically, the most common knee attacks will be the long knee, short knee, and the side knee. Knees are also an effective method of defending against the opponent's Thai round kicks.

Kicking--The two most common kicks from Muay Thai are the front thrust kick and the Thai round kick. The Thai round kick is similar to a karate roundhouse kick, but it draws its power entirely from the rotational movement of the body. Unlike the snapping action of Karate and Tae Kwon Do roundhouse kicks, the Thai round kick is more designed to drive through the opponent. In addition, Thai round kicks target the opponent's legs and not just upper body. Muay Thai also utilizes the side thrust kick, back spinning kick, and axe kick.

The Clinch--To strike and bind the opponent for both offensive and defensive purposes, small amounts of stand-up grappling are used: the clinch. In Western Boxing the two fighters are separated when they clinch; in Muay Thai, however, they are not. It is often in the clinch where knee and elbow techniques are used. Thai boxers are masters at close range combat.

Fitness--Like most combat sports, Muay Thai training includes body conditioning. Muay Thai practice is specifically designed to promote the level of fitness and toughness required for ring competition. Training may include running, shadowboxing, rope jumping, body weight resistance exercises, medicine ball exercises, abdominal exercises, and in some cases weight training.

Training that is specific to a Muay Thai fighter includes training with coaches on Thai pads, focus mitts, heavy bag, and sparring. The daily training includes many rounds (3-5 minute periods broken up by a short rest) of these various methods of practice.

Thai pad training is a cornerstone of Muay Thai conditioning which involves practicing punches, kicks, knees, and elbow strikes with a trainer. These special pads are used to absorb the impact of the fighter's strikes and allow the fighter to react to the attacks of the pad holder.

Focus mitts are specific to training a fighter's hand speed, punch combinations, timing, punching power, defense, and counter-punching and may also be used to practice elbow strikes.

Heavy bag training is a conditioning and power exercise that reinforces the techniques practiced on the pads.

Sparring is a means to test technique, skills, range, strategy, and timing against a partner. Sparring is often a light to medium contact exercise. Competitive fighters on a full schedule are not advised to risk injury by sparring hard. Instead, specific tactics and strategies are trained including close range fighting, clinching and kneeing only, cutting off the ring, or using reach and distance to keep an aggressive fighter away.

Dynamic MMA is the only school in Douglas County offering Muay Thai training! Training any Martial Arts can be a lot of fun but it is not to be taken lightly. Martial Arts should only be learned under the guidance and supervision of quality instructors in an insured facility.

Just like our other programs we use methods of training that provide a team atmosphere where the group is focused on making sure every individual is well trained. A system of mentoring is used to help the beginners learn more quickly and efficiently. The result is a higher skilled athlete in a shorter time with a positive attitude.

If you would like to learn our Muay Thai techniques, come join Dynamic MMA today!!

Larry Keith with Russian Muay Thai and MMA trainer Anatoly Panayev

Muay Thai and Grappling with Russian Spetsnaz (special forces)

Muay Thai match in Yakutsk, Russia