Considering switching to Muay Thai

[M@T]

Been doing kickboxing for a few years now and am considering switching to Muay Thai.

What are the differences between the 2. I know MT has knee's and elbows but we do those at my kickboxing club too, were just not allowed to use them in sparring.

Are there any spinning techniques in MT such as the spinning hook or spinning axe kick like there is in Kickboxing. I find these techniques a bit pointless especially in the street which is what I train for mainly. I don't street fight at all any more but if I ever get into a ruck i'd like to know I can handle myself.

[Tom Yum]

You're taught a few spinning techniques, but will rarely use them.

Spinning elbow
Spinning heel kick

You will learn how to strike with the elbows, but maybe not allowed to use them in sparring, rather self-defense or for drills.

You are allowed to kick to your partners thigh and shins. You can kick the thigh inside, outside or straight on.

You are allowed to knee to the body, but not the head.

[jules]

You are allowed to knee to the body, but not the head.

WTF???

IMHO the real science of MT is in the clinch. That's what seperates MT from other striking styles like kickboxing

[zghfd]

Yeah the clinch is a whole skill by itself.

I think in america you arent aloud to knee to the head. Maybe somebody who knows can clear it up properly.

[M@T]

Originally posted by Tom Yum
You're taught a few spinning techniques, but will rarely use them.

Spinning elbow
Spinning heel kick

You will learn how to strike with the elbows, but maybe not allowed to use them in sparring, rather self-defense or for drills.

You are allowed to kick to your partners thigh and shins. You can kick the thigh inside, outside or straight on.

You are allowed to knee to the body, but not the head.

That all sounds good to me. I dont mind a few spinning techniques as they help with your co-ordination but some of the stuff I learn at kickboxing is borderline useless in the street and practically useless in the ring. At the gym my instructors pull off all these crazy jump spinning whirlwind kicks which look great and really demonstrate their abilities but i've watched them fight in the ring many times and they never use these techniques so whats the point learning them.

So what Thai kicks are there apart from the roundhouse to the legs and body ??

[Tom Yum]

Its true guys, no knees to the head in International rules muay thai, no elbows either. You can clinch and knee to the body (and sneakily to the thigh). However, you do train elbows and throw them into drills.

The primary kicks that you focus on are the teep, push kick and roundhouse. Other kicks that you might practice, but not use frequently are the side kick and spinning heel kick.

The teep is a front kick done with the ball of the foot, used to dig into your opponents body, lead leg thigh or kicking leg.

Push kick is done the same way as the teep except both ball and heel of the foot make contact. Purpose of the kick is to push them away with the kick and keep them in kicking range. Thais consider it an insult to show the bottom of your foot to their face, but it happens.

Round kick is done keeping the kicking leg straight, pivoting on the planted leg and whipping the hips over such that your shin crashes through the target.

Muay thai kicks are not fancy, but they are powerfull and easy to use.

[Damian Mavis]

Who uses these "international rules"? Just the U.S? Just recently the laws changed in my province in Canada to allow full Muay Thai rules which allow knees and elbows.

I think the major difference from Kickboxing to Muay Thai for you M@T will be the stand up grappling.

Dynamic kicks are rare but can be used if you really want to and are damn good at them. I've seen pro fighters on satelite occasionally throw a technique that is definately not usually worked on in most Muay Thai camps.

Damian Mavis
Honour TKD

[Tom Yum]

As far as I know its just the US and maybe Europe. You don't see Hoost or Cro Cop throw elbows either, but they knee (to the body) from the clinch- same as what's referred to as Int'l rules.

[M@T]

Finally took the plunge, I start on monday.

So, when sparring at the end of the lesson, what are the rules. Can you knee the the body, knee below the waist, kick below the waist, elbow to the body etc ??

[MuayThaiFighter]

Originally posted by Tom Yum
You're taught a few spinning techniques, but will rarely use them.

Spinning elbow
Spinning heel kick

You will learn how to strike with the elbows, but maybe not allowed to use them in sparring, rather self-defense or for drills.

You are allowed to kick to your partners thigh and shins. You can kick the thigh inside, outside or straight on.

You are allowed to knee to the body, but not the head.

That's strange,because I have done muay thai for 5yrs. and don't remember ever learning spinning heel kicks.I know how to do them because I learnt them in karate,but not in MuayThai.


Spin kicks are useless and uneffective that is why we don't learn them in MuayThai.

If we couldn't knee to head what would be the point of learning knee kicks? I have seen and used knee kicks to both body and head,in Canada most MuayThai competitions allow it.

We're not allowed to use the elbows we learn in sparring here,however in Thailand they do.

[Tom Yum]

Learned the spinning wheel kick as a follow up if you miss a round kick. Do I use it alot? No, but if its fast and timed right it catches guys by suprise.

[MuayThaiFighter]

Originally posted by Tom Yum
Learned the spinning wheel kick as a follow up if you miss a round kick. Do I use it alot? No, but if its fast and timed right it catches guys by suprise.

Interesting,but I'm sure that type of kick is not from Muay Thai,your instructor must have added an extra kick to MuayThai or has combined it with another style.

[Damian Mavis]

MuayThaiFighter:

"That's strange,because I have done muay thai for 5yrs. and don't remember ever learning spinning heel kicks.I know how to do them because I learnt them in karate,but not in MuayThai.

Spin kicks are useless and uneffective that is why we don't learn them in MuayThai. "

Spin kicks are not useless and yes they are a part of Muay Thai. Just because you don't learn them at your training center doesn't mean they don't exist in traditional Muay Thai. I didn't see alot of people practicing them in Thailand but every once in a while I'd see a fighter whip one out while sparring. I've seen a photo of a fighter in the ring getting knocked out with one in Lumpini. If you ever see a set of pictures describing Muay Thai techniques in Thailand you will always see a picture of spinning wheel kick to the head included. My point is, they are rare but they are there.

I myself won a fight in Thailand with a spinning kick, granted I wasn't fighting a pro champion but it worked for me when I needed it. I think the key is to use it sparingly as a surprise technique if you want it to work effectively.

"We're not allowed to use the elbows we learn in sparring here,however in Thailand they do."

You'll be happy to know MuayThaiFighter that there are at least a couple of Provinces in Canada where elbows are now allowed.

Damian Mavis
Honour TKD

[Great Sage]

I tend to agree with MuayThai Fighter... Spin kicks are 99% useless. Even the fastest spin kicks are easily seen, blocked or countered...

My experience in Muay Thai is that spin kicks are not taught in Muay Thai camps. Those who do use spin kicks apply it on their own accord. It's not unusual to see spin kicks in ISKA, because a lot of their Muay Thai kickboxers cross train in karate or TKD.

[MuayThaiFighter]

Originally posted by Great Sage
I tend to agree with MuayThai Fighter... Spin kicks are 99% useless. Even the fastest spin kicks are easily seen, blocked or countered...

My experience in Muay Thai is that spin kicks are not taught in Muay Thai camps. Those who do use spin kicks apply it on their own accord. It's not unusual to see spin kicks in ISKA, because a lot of their Muay Thai kickboxers cross train in karate or TKD.

I agree 100%,that is what I was trying to say to Damian Mavis
about MuayThai fighters who use spin kicks. I have never heard of or seen spin kicks in MuayThai unless combined with another art.

I also agree with you when you say spin kicks can be telegraphed and easily blocked or countered regardless of how fast the kick comes.

I personally believe spin kicks are just for show.Looks cool but how effective are they really?Not at all.