Art of Eight Limbs
Muay Thai is known as the art of eight limbs because hands, elbows, knees, and shins form 8 striking points. This gives the style distinct advantages over its closest cousins kickboxing and western boxing. It is unique among other styles because of the use of the clinch, just one of the reasons Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu work so well together that they have been adapted to Mixed Martial Arts as a standard strategy on which to build.
Limbs 1 & 2
Muay Thai PUNCHES begin and end differently than other striking styles, and are intended primarily for setting the stage for other strikes.
Limbs 3 & 4
There are several variations of the ELBOW strike, each a devastating blow from an inside fighter.
Limbs 5 & 6
Muay Thai has unique KICKS that pack a lot of power.
Limbs 7 & 8
KNEES can be used for a variety of targets, and are a preferred strike.
BONUS!
The CLINCH is unique to Muay Thai, and is fundamental to the methods used by Thai fighters. While isn't allowed to be fully utilized in kickboxing venues, we teach the clinch so that it can be used to its full advantage.
Why Train in Muay Thai?
Muay Thai is different from other combat sports
Martial arts are structured systems of self-defense techniques stemming from cultures spanning the world. Some, like Krav Maga, are recently constructed compilations of selected techniques from various styles of martial arts and self-defense methods.
Muay Thai is very different. It is a combat sport that is rooted in Thailand’s historical military combat system called Muay Boran. Muay Thai is known as the art of 8 limbs because hands, elbows, knees, and shins are the 8 striking points.
Another feature that makes it stand out in comparison to traditional martial arts, boxing, and kickboxing is the clinch. In boxing, kickboxing, and striking styles of martial arts competitions, clinching is not allowed and the fighters are separated by a referee. In Muay Thai the clinch is as important as the striking and some styles of Muay Thai clinch fighting is the predominant technique. It incorporates knee strikes, elbow attacks, trips, sweeps, and throws mixed in with punches and kicks. This is very realistic since combatants usually end up clinching and grappling during a fight. Fighting from the clinch makes Muay Thai an important part of striking training for professional fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA) as well as self-defense.
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