Kumpan Pung Hok

by Marco De Cesaris

This technique teaches how to use the knee strike in evasive manner, against a
punch attack. Thanks to a proper use of zig zag movements, by this technique the
thai boxer avoids the attacking arm, deflecting it to the side, hitting the ribs at the
same time. This traditional self defence techniques is also suitable for use in the
ring.
Jarake Fad Hang
by Marco De Cesaris

This is the main kicking technique devised to properly learn hoh to turn and kick
thus maximising the power of one's kick, often obtaining a quick ko, through a
good use of centrifugal force. Before the actual kick, mostly aimed to the head, it is
important to lead with another technique, be it a fake or a real punch or kick (high
or low). According to a more defensive execution of the same technique, the
executor should wait for an attack by the opponent and then react to the offence by
turning and kicking.

Yak Ngiang Pla

by Marco De Cesaris

Traditional elbow counter attack technique to the chin against straight punch to the
head. For a proper execution it is essential the development of 3 basic attributes:
a. power in the movement of the raising elbow; the whole body must be explosively
used to convey maximum energy to the target.
b. quickness in the body bend over action, so that the punch attack can be properly
avoided.
c. a fast footwork is mandatory to quickly change the distance from medium to
close, at the same time of the elbow upward strike.
Nok Kum Kao Rang
by Marco De Cesaris

Such a spectacular double flying knee traditional technique is to be used mainly in

close combat situations; it can actually be very surprising against any kind of
unaware opponent, catching him out of guard. By mean of a subtle grab of our
opponent’s arms we will be able to exploit his own strength and, eventually,
superior strength, using it as a spring that will help us to propel all our body mass
towards his sternum or face. The effect of such a powerful and sudden attack is
often a quick knock out, due to the hardness of our body parts (both knees) that
connect with the opponent’s sensitive areas.
Hanuman Tawai Waen
By Marco De Cesaris

Hanuman Tawai Waen belongs to the technical group of double punch attacks, that
must be performed by striking with both fists at the same time.
In this technique both fists must hit the chin, nose or throat of the opponent
following an upward arch; the uppercuts are usually performed from a very close
distance from the opponent, closing the gap after a bobbing or weaving movement
and, to add power to the punch, the technique must be applied with a strong
upward surge.
Focus gloves training
by Marco De Cesaris

Training drills with focus gloves are a basic tool for a thai boxer; through a correct
use of this equipment a boxer will learn:
How to correctly execute basic or complex punch and elbow single attacks or
combinations.
How to develop accuracy in striking, timing and a sharp sense of distance, working
on a small and moving target.
how to develop, with the help of a good trainer, muscle memory (drastically
reducing reaction time) both for attack and defence.
How to greatly increase stamina.

The correct use of Pao in Muay Thai

by Marco De Cesaris

Just like any other martial art even Muay Thai incorporates training drills using
special tools geared towards increasing a thai boxers attributes.
In modern times the evolution of archaic training methods led to the introduction of
special leather hitting pads called Pao that the trainer uses during any training
session. The versatility of those tools makes them a very good piece of equipment
that can be used to train every attack and defense movement including elbow
strikes, knee strikes, punches and kicks, simple attacking series and block and
counter techniques. Every good Kru Muay knows how to use those pads to simulate
actual fighting sessions pushing a fighter to his limits without forgetting to avoid
any possible injuries.

Traditional training with limes

by Marco De Cesaris

This was the traditional method utilized by the majority of Kru Muay to develop and
a good head and body movement and a sense of timing and to keep those qualities
sharp. The limes were hung to trees branches following a complex scheme and
every thai boxer used to train with that device fro several minutes each day. The
boxer used to bob and weave trying to avoid the moving limes constantly keeping
an eye on the hanging fruits.
Heavy Bag Training for Punches
by Marco De Cesaris

Any fighter who wishes to reach a high level in his (or her) chosen Martial Art must
devote a part of his daily training to bag work. In particular, the powerful punches
needed to knock out quickly an opponent on the street or on the ring are forged
mainly through a regular and intensive training regimen of heavy bag work. The
best punching bag to be used for hand strikes is a “short” 30 to 40 kgs. Boxing type
heavy bag, hanging from the ceiling or, in some special exercises, fixed to a wall.
The training routines may differ, according to the special needs of the practitioner:
self defence, sport fighting, fitness or a combination of those. Each training routine
must be tailored to the characteristics of the athlete; what may vary are the length
of rounds, the intensity of training, the use of the various parts of the hand to
strike the bag, the use of protective tools (bandages, gloves etc.).
Shin conditioning
By Marco De Cesaris

Among the many typical training systems adopted by Muay Thai practitioners, shin
conditioning has always been one of the most spectacular, especially for the
newcomers. In the past, shins were hardened by hitting banana trees, in
motherland Thailand, since those trees have a soft surface and are perfect targets
for a thai boxer kicks. Nowadays Muay fighters use a common heavy bag,
weighting between 50 and 60 kilos, to harden properly their shins.
A regular practice of heavy bag shin kicking is required to obtain steel hard bones,
even after a relatively short time, giving thai boxer an extremely powerful weapon,
useful both for attacking and for blocking the opponent’s attacks.
The Chin jab
by Marco De Cesaris

In military self defence or close combat the experts suggest to avoid striking the
opponents head with a closed fist, an action that may lead to a broken hand.It is
better to use the palm heel with short jabbing uppercuts, often targeting the chin
(or the base of the nose), for a quick ko. To be really effective the chin jab must
not be telegraphed and, if properly executed, it puts the defender in the position to
end the confrontation with further counter attacks or to run away.

Stop kick with the foot

by Marco De Cesaris

According to Muay Boran terminology this is an aggressive blocking technique

called Tiip Khang Yan; it is one of the main defensive action intended to use the
adversary's own force against him. The stronger the attack (in this instance a groin
kick) the more damage to his leg the attacker will suffer. Executing the stop kick
action wearing shoes greatly amplifies the effect of our blocking technique;
nevertheless the executor needs very good timing to sharply connect with his
counter kick.
Finger attack to the eyes
by Marco De Cesaris

Just a light pressure on the eyes is able to temporarly incapacitate any attacker, for
a short or longer amount of time, thus allowing the defender to escape or keep on
fighing back. We normally use the thumb, middle or fore finger to inlict maximum
damage. Somethimes we first hit the face with a slap and then, using the palm for
better control, we slide forward gouging the eye with the thumb. This is a very
dangerous technique, to be used under extremely dangerous situations, only.
Head Butt
by Marco De Cesaris

Muay Thai is often described as the 9 Body Weapons Asian Martial Art, due to the
extensive use made by thai boxers of hands, elbows, legs, knees to strike and
defend in the heat of a fight. The ninth weapon at our disposal may be considered
to be the head, meaning by that both a swift mind and a strong skull. The head
butt has to be included among the special techniques that must be used sparingly
and always exploiting the surprise effect of such a powerful yet deceptive weapon.
In a street fight it is quite easy to be on the receiving end of on attacker’s head
butt, therefore any Muay Boran practitioner must be aware of the potential danger
of such an aggressive move and must be trained at an early stage in counter moves
that could make the difference in a real confrontation on the street.
Arm locks
By Marco De Cesaris

Muay Ler Dritt is a military application of Muay Boran fighting techniques and
principles; shoulder and elbow locks, body locks and neck locks are used
extensively in Muay Ler Dritt to take away the “body weapon” from the opponent or
to stop him for good. The basic principle of Muay Boran locks is to try and break the
attacked limb by one explosive action, without looking for a body control like it
happens in other martial arts. If the lock and attempted break is not successful, the
Ler Dritt fighter will go on with the attack using various strikes and throws,
accordingly.
Mahd Suhy, body punching
by Marco De Cesaris

Among the various basic techniques utilized in Muay Boran’s Martial Combat, Mahd
Suhy or uppercut punch delivered to the body and especially to the liver of the
opponent is one of the most efficient.
Normally Mahd Suhy is executed after a fake (punch or kick) or right after an
evasive movement; if correctly delivered to the liver that punch can express a great
power against a weak spot, often resulting in a sudden KO.
Moreover, the use of kard chiek (cotton ropes) instead of boxing gloves, makes the
strike even deadlier.
Tae Ken Ko, shin kick to the neck
by Marco De Cesaris

The goal of every fighter is to knock the opponent out as fast as possible. One of
the most efficient way to do that is round kicking the neck, possibly hitting the
opponent with the shin. That kick is called in thai language Tae Ken Ko.
The power of the kick coupled with the sensititivity of the attacked spot, make Tae
Ken Ko a real opponent’s stopper.
The kick can be executed in many ways: in Muay Kard Chiek many fighters prefer
to kick from up to down, hitting the side of the neck with the shin bone, like an axe,
causing an immediate KO.

Kao Loy, flying knee to the body

by Marco De Cesaris

One of the multi purpose techniques most used in Kard Chiek fighting is without
any doubt the flying knee strike or Kao Loy.
Using a powerful upward surge and a rapid contraction of thigh muscles, the best
fighters are capable of striking the opponent’s sternum or solar plexus with the
flying knee even from a very short distance, making the opponent’s defensive
actions very difficult.
Apart from the obvious offensive use, Kao Loy is a very efficient way to rapidly
close the gap and clinch with the opponent, thus avoiding the barrage of his
stopping kicks or punches.
 Phasom A
Marco De Cesaris

Gradot Sohk
Tiip Trong Sai Mahd Gnad Koo
Sahb Kua
 Phasom B
Marco De Cesaris

Kao Bung Kua Kao Bung Sai Mahd Trong Sai

Phasom C
Marco De Cesaris

Mahd Trong Sai Sok Gnad Kua Kao Loy Kua