Muay Thai - History and Techniques

Muay Thai is a martial art which originated in Thailand. It features standing strikes as well as clinch moves. As Thailand's national sport, many take it quite seriously, and it is similar to some other Indochinese kickboxing forms. Muay Thai literally refers to the art of eight limbs, or eight points of contact. Other forms of boxing and combat are different than Thai boxing in that they focus on only two or four points of contact; referring respectively to the hands and feet. Evolving with and alongside Chinese and Indian martial arts, which can date back for centuries, Muay Thai classes teach the art of unarmed combat. Those who practice the sport assume the title "nak muay."

Even early on during the development of ancient Thai boxing, where the practical use of fighting enemy combatants was also matched by opponents fighting for the mere sport of it. This became a popular event. Often spectators would come and watch, and over time they began to incorporate sport Muay Thai boxing matches into festivals and local events. Throughout the nineteenth century and into the present, Muay Thai boxing gained popularity both in Thailand as well as amongst foreign practitioners. Muay Thai masters would teach students at training camps. Provided that the students showed full dedication and commitment to the art, they would be taught everything and show loyalty to their training camp.

Muay Thai techniques can be divided into two groupings. Firstly there are the mae mai meaning major techniques. There are also the luk mai or minor techniques. Traditionally speaking, a Thai boxing practitioner might fight his opponent alternating blow for blow although this practice is becoming a less favorable option. By using full body movements and complete rotation, Thai boxers can move and punch with great power. A Thai boxer does not simply utilize their fists and legs to punch and kick. By using elbows, knees, and clinching moves they can immobilize an opponent with a variety of moves at ones disposal.

A Muay Thai boxer focuses not only on the attack but on self defense and conditioning as well. The Thai boxer is familiar with utilizing their body as a wall of defense. Where they use use their arms, legs, and shoulders to block attacks. Defense and conditioning have overlapping importance because the boxer needs to be able to stand up to many successive blows. As different attacks call for different types of blocking maneuvers the Thai fighter is mentally prepared to react in the fastest possible time. Mentally they must be able to act with extreme agility, and physically they must be able to follow through with the training and moves for which they've been taught. The sport originates from Thailand and so they are the ones who set many of the guiding principals and standards of Muay Thai. But as the popularity for Thai boxing as well as a host of other mixed martial arts spread around the globe, other organizations can decide to create new rules. The primary reason for this is to make the match safer for both participants. An example of this is the decision of some organizations to disallow elbow blows because of the damage which they can inflict.

Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/1436776/muay-thai-history-and-techniques.htm

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