MaeMai MuayThai mean Muay Thai techniques of using fists, feet, knees, and elbows efficiently in the attack

and defense. The skills in

Muay Thai are acquired by practice and use of fists, feet, knees, and elbows harmoniously. The techniques used in teaching Muay Thai 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, Muay Thai 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.

Muay Thai 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/defense in long range)

2. Paksa Waeg Rang (Bird peeping through the nest movement/defense in close quarter)
3. Chawa Sad Hok (Java throws spear movement/throwing elbow at long range)
4. Inao Thaenk Krit (Elbow strike at close quarter)
5. Yoh Khao Phra Sumain (Strike the tip of jaw while inclining by 45 degrees)
6. Ta Taen Kham Fak (Throw an uppercut to the tip of jaw while ducking by 60 degrees)
7. Maun Yan Lak (Defense against the punch with thrust kick)
8. Pak Look Thoy (Defense against the kick with elbow)
9. Jorake Phad Hang (Defend the punch with spin kick)
10. Hak Nguang Aiyara (Elbow strike to the ham string)
11. Naka Bid Hang (Twist the leg and throw the knee strike to the calf or knee joint)
12. Wiroon Hok Klab (Defense against the kick with thrust kick)
13. Dab Chawala (Deflect the punch)
14. Khun Yak Jab Ling (Defenses against punch, kick and elbow)
15. Hak Kho Erawan (To break the elephant's neck movement)
Salab Fan Pla (Defense 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 walks in and strikes the defensive's face with the left punch.
The defensive 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 (Defense at close quarters)

This technique is used to get at close quarters so that the other techniques
can be further used.
The attacker walks in and throws the left punch to the defensive's face.
Defensive 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 walks in and pushes out the left punch to the defensive's face.
The defensive 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
Inao Thaenk Krit (Elbow strike at close quarters)

This technique is usually used to defend the straight punch and strike the
elbow at close quarters.
The attacker throws the right punch to the defensive's face.
The defensive deflects the punch with his left hand. He then steps the right
foot forward and ducks to the left by 60 degrees with the weight on the right
foot. Bend the right elbow in the manner that it is parallel to the ground and
strike the elbow to the rib of the attacker.

Yoh Khao Phra Sumain (Strike the tip of jaw while inclining by 45
degrees)

This technique is used to defend the straight punch by ducking so that the
blow goes over the head and throw an uppercut.
The attacker walks in with the left foot and throws the left punch to the
defensive's face.
The defensive steps forward with the right foot and ducks by 45 degrees
with the weight on the bent right foot. Stretch the right foot and throw an
uppercut to the tip of the attacker's jaw. The left arm is held on guard to the
chin.

Ta Taen Kham Fak (Throw an uppercut to the tip of jaw while ducking by 60 degrees)

This technique is basically used to deflect the punch upward.

The attacker throws the left punch to the defensive's face.
The defensive steps forward to the right with the left foot and bend the right arm to deflect the punch upward. Slightly bend the left knee
and throw the left uppercut to the tip of the attacker's jaw.
 Maun Yan Lak (Defense against 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 walks in and throws the left punch.
The defensive 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 (Defense against 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 (defense against 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 walks 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 (Defense 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 guards. 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 walks 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.
Khun Yak Jab Ling (Defenses 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.

Hak Kho Erawan (Hold the opponent's neck down and throw the knee
strike)

The attacker walks 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.

Prepared by : kenshikuro anajao