Although one good kick has the potential to end a fight legs are not enough. A good Thai boxer uses punches to set up their kicks and knee strikes. As well as using punches to close the distance until you can strike with the elbow or go in for the clinch. Thai punches are considerably different from Western boxing punches. For example; western fighting principles dictate that most of your weight should be on your rear leg. Boxers tend to remain crouched to lessen their opponent’s strike range and also to bob and weave easier. Although this makes their punches much more powerful this is not the purpose of the Thai punch. Thai boxers do not crouch as much and do little or no weaving because it makes the kick more difficult to set up.
Punching Key Points:
- Thai boxers get their power from their shoulders and hips rather than from their legs.
- Use your shoulder and the twisting of your hips to throw and retract punches in one smooth motion.
- You must snap into your target rather than push him. This is more difficult than it sounds. If when you punch a heavy bag it swings away, you’re probably punching incorrectly. The bag should ideally hop in place when punched correctly.
- For added snap, your punching hand should stay relaxed until just before impact (this is one of Bruce Lee’s basic principles and it applies to all martial arts).
- Make sure you punch in a straight line. It takes away power and makes you more vulnerable to counterattacks if your arms float out to the side while punching.
The jab is the most basic punch of any fighting system. In muay Thai the primary function of the jab is to set up kicks, knees, elbows, other punches, and clinches. It is also used to stop an advancing opponent. While shifting your weight slightly forward lash out with your lead arm, using your shoulder to generate power. As your arm extends rotate your fist about 45 degrees so that your palm is facing down. Tighten up your fist just before impact and aim at the chin of your opponent.
There is a variation of the jab called the straight jab that is used off a slide to cover distance and break through your opponent’s guard. It has more power than the regular jab because you gain more momentum and hence power coming off the slide. Another key difference in the straight jab is that you do not rotate your hand as in the jab.
The cross almost always follows from the jab as it is the second punch in the classic one-two combination. This punch is responsible for the majority of punch based knockouts (ask Chuck Liddell and Jens Pulver). This punch is a great counter for an incoming Thai kick if you’re fast enough. This punch can be aimed at your opponent’s face or body. Begin by shifting a large portion of weight onto your lead leg. Now turn your shoulders and hips in a counterclockwise direction and shoot your rear hand out aiming at the chin. Depending on the height of your opponent a slight crouch may be necessary for a body shot. Again, as in the jab, rotate your fist 45 degrees so that your palm is facing down and don’t clench your fist until just before impact.
Throwing a hook is a great way to catch your opponent off his guard because of the angle at which it’s thrown. This punch also works from in the clinch although at that point it will require your arm to bend more so it will land cleanly. You can throw the hook by itself but like all punches it works better in a combination, usually following the cross. This punch can be easily countered by a straight punch so make sure you don’t telegraph i.e. don’t wind up or make the punch obvious by throwing your entire body into it. Shift most of your weight onto your lead leg and turn your shoulders and hips in a clockwise direction. Use the momentum of your hips to throw your lead arm on a circular path. Keep your arm bent and make sure your elbow and fist are both parallel to the ground. Aim at the chin and always follow through. As with any attack you need to visualize your attack going through your opponent.
The uppercut is a classic fight ender, but it can also be effective in the clinch. Ideally this strike is thrown after you’ve penetrated your opponent’s guard, generally following a jab or cross. This punch has tremendous knockout power because of the power and speed it generates. Most, if not all, Western boxers dip down for this strike to generate momentum and power. However in muay Thai this is very dangerous because you’ll probably end up eating a knee. Due to this threat it is best to throw this strike straight from your stance, using your shoulders and hips instead of your legs to generate power. Begin by turning your hips slightly in a clockwise direction. Drop your lead arm slightly and then use the power of your shoulder to spring your fist up into your opponent’s jaw. There is a variation of the uppercut that drives both hands (double uppercut) into your opponent’s chin. This move is very flashy and looks impressive, but leaves you wide open for a side step counterattack. Use this move at your discretion, if at all.
The last punch is the overhand right (or left if you’re a southpaw). The overhand is most often used as a counterpunch or to finish off your opponent after a successful uppercut, assuming the uppercut didn’t do the job on its own. It’s a strong attack but because of the odd angle at which it’s thrown landing a clean shot can be difficult during the heat of a fight. That being said, it is a devastating strike when it lands cleanly. The way the overhand is thrown is very similar to a cross except your fist is going to make an upward arc into your opponent’s jaw. Begin by shifting your weight forward and turning your hips in a counterclockwise direction. Keep your rear leg straight as your lead leg bends into the punch. Pull your left shoulder down using the momentum of your turning hips and send your right fist in an upward arc toward your opponent’s jaw. When done right this punch closely resembles the freestyle stroke of a swimmer. As with the majority of your punches you need to turn your fist so that your palm is facing the ground and close your fist just before the moment of impact.
Take it slow in the beginning to learn the proper technique of each punch and then play around with combinations.
That’s six limbs down with two to go. Next week: elbows. |
