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Introduction.

Whatever we say, we always aim for the victory!

Especially if it is a martial arts fight. Nowadays Muay Thai, MMA and K-1 are the clear favorites among the professional fights shows. This the first volume (part) of the “Encyclopedia of fight” tells about Muay Thai.

2007-11-30. Moscow (RUS). Luzhniki stadium. Promoter S.Zayashnikov.

There are two versions of this book – the full one (~400 pgs) and the reducted, promotional version (~100 pgs). This is the reducted version.

This book is a classical and fullest studying guide for Thai boxing. From the moment of its first edition more than 20 years ago, this book has become the tutorial for many generations of Thai boxers, and it is quoted in nearly all texts about Muay Thai.

You see here the 5^th edition of the book, and during the time passed, the material was significantly re-worked and enlarged. The book covers almost all sides of the subject: history, traditions, technique, methods, personalities and rules of Thai boxing. The newcomers to Thai boxing world can use this book for better understanding of the technique, while experienced Thai boxers can use it as helping guide.

The important feature of this book is illustration of theoretical material with “live” pictures from my personal archive that were gathered by me during more than 25 years of fights organization (Muay Thai, MMA, K-1). This allows not only to study the basic skills, but also to see their use in a tense atmosphere of the fight. On many pictures, you will see the boxers who are now legendary, but at a time, just like you, they were getting nervous before their first professional fight.

Many documents and pictures are published for the first time.

2010-07-28. Moscow-Sity. VIP-RAMTL GYM – Al Iaquinta (NYC, USA).

I will be glad if this book will help you at least a little bit to succeed in severe and beautiful world of martial arts!

Sergey Zayashnikov, WBL (MT) president. Moscow – New-York, 2017.

Chapter II. Thai boxing technique.

2005-02-08. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in ‘Capitalism’ casino”. Thara Abataev (RUS) vs Marsel “Sailor”Adzhiniyazov (RUS).

Main guidelines.

Thai boxing art consists or various techniques: attack and defense with use of hands, legs, knees and elbows. Initially most of them were included into 30 main Muay Thai techniques – 15 professional and 15 additional ones.

Some of the techniques used to include hand holds, throws and other actions that are forbidden by modern rules. With introducing the gloves and the new rules a lot of them were forgotten, a lot of them were abandoned.

All the techniques of Muay Thai can be divided into 5 main categories:

Footwork;

Punches, kicks and strikes;

Defense technique;

Clinch techniques;

Combined technique.

While describing all the techniques we took a typical left-hand stance as a base, and all the moves start from this position.

Everyone who wants to start the Thai boxing training should understand that entire preparation system aims to teach fighting according to modern Rules.

When studying this very book, please remember that it describes the classical Thai boxing technique. It means it shouldn’t be blindly copied and followed, but taken as base while minding individual needs.

The ones who are looking for “super-secret” strikes and believe in the invincibility of the Thais would be disappointed. Nowadays, after large amount of studies and scientific works, it is clear that there is no secret. What is really there is the coach, the fighter, and his fighting career – nothing else simply counts.

Kicks.

Kicks is the technique most often used in Thai boxing fight. Its big advantage is the possibility to attack from the long range, being out of punch, knee or elbow strike reach – and also the impact that they have thanks to the weight of the leg.

2006-09-30. Moscow (RUS). Luzhniki stadium. Marsel “Sailor” Adzhiniyazov (RUS) vs Anat “Rambo” Samnakdhi (THA).

Front kicks and push kicks («types»).

1994-02-05. Nobosibirsk (RUS). Arthur Kerar (UZB) vs Pavel Badin (RUS).

Front kicks are used most often during the attack or preventive counter-attack in a long range, and they target the head. These kicks often reach their target since cover-ups against head punches do not work against the kicks.

When doing right front kick YouTube.com →

, the boxer moves bodyweight to the left leg together with moving right leg (bent at the knee) forward-up and drawing the shoulder forward. The moment right thigh points up, right leg unbends at the knee, sending the foot up-forward towards the target. To make the kick stronger, the boxer moves hip forward.

The kick is done with the ball of the foot, under the toes; the foot is expanded, fingers point up. The moment the foot touches the target, it tenses to the maximum, all joints are blocked. In the end of the kick, the torso is turned to the opponent with its right side, the right shoulder is drawn forward. Left palm or left elbow cover the head from a counter-punch.

Left front kick YouTube.com →

can be done in two ways: when lead leg starts moving from the right stance, or without changing the stance.

When done from the right stance, the boxer makes a step forward with his right foot, or changes the fighting stance through the jump. Left kick technique is similar to the right one.

When done without changing the stance, the boxer transfers his bodyweight to the right leg. Then left thigh moves up together with unbending the knee, and foot travels up-forward towards the target. In the end of the kick, the leg is straightened, the torso is turned with its left side to the opponent, left shoulder is drawn forward, right hand palm covers the head from a potential punch.

Defense against front kick:

Step to the side (usually together with leg gripping or picking up);

Step backwards (usually together with parrying and following pick up of the attacking leg);

Pulling back

2004-11-30. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in ‘Capitalism’”. Yury «Prince» Bessmertny (BLR) vs Marat Gereev (RUS). On the right photo: A. Abdulbasirov, M. Gereev, Z. Samedov, Y. Bessmertny.

Depending on tactical goals and fight situation, front kick can be used in the attack, preventive attack or defense. It is rarely used as a counter-strike.

In the attack, front kick can be used as a stand-alone kick, or part of the series.

In a preventive attack, it can be used against the opponent that attacks with hands, round kicks or low kicks.

In a defense, it can be used as a foot cover-up, landing the food in the thigh or calf of the opponent, who attacks with round kicks or low kicks.

Main front kick mistakes:

No hip rotation;

No rear foot rotation;

Vertical torso position.

High

kicks

push

kicks

YouTube.com →

High kicks can be classified as a push. It is an unexpected kick, and Thai boxers are usually struggle to defend against it (the only possible defense is footwork).

Right push kick can be done with the leg moving upwards from the left or from the right. From the fighting stance, bodyweight is transferred to the front left leg. Right leg, slightly bent at the knee, is drawn up slightly to the right or to the left from central axis.

When reached maximum high position, the left moves down, unbending at the knee. Thus, the move is both kick up-downwards and push forward. The kick is done with the heel or with the foot, targeting the head, the collar bone or the upper chest.

Left push kick is done after moving bodyweight to the right leg. After that, the technique is similar to the left push kick.

Types of push kicks.

Leg pushes are very effective in the preventive counter-attacks against kicks and punches.

When doing right push kick forward, bodyweight moves to the left leg, right thigh is drawn forward. Together with the thigh move, right foot moves forward along a linear trajectory towards the target. The leg, unbending at the knee, makes a push move forward.

To make the kick stronger, the hip moves forward. The push is made with the ball (under the toes) or with the sole, targeting lower or upper part of the torso, or the thigh. In the end of the kick, the torso is turned to the opponent with its right side, right shoulder drawn forward. Left palm or left elbow cover the head from a counter-punch.

Left push kick forward is the fastest type of kick, since lead leg is close to the opponent. It is used after either step or jump, either from the fighting stance. From the fighting stance, bodyweight is transferred to the right leg. Left thigh is drawn up, foot moves towards the target, following the curve trajectory in the beginning.

To make the kick stronger, the hip moves forward. In the end of the kick, the torso is turned to the opponent with its left side, left shoulder is drawn forward. Left palm covers the head from a counter-punch.

2004-09-07. Moscow (RUS).“RAMTL in the ‘Capitalism’ casino”. Dmitry “Bayloong” Sachuk (RUS) vs Arthur “Don Arthur” Gasanov (RUS). On the right photo: A.Gasanov.

Side kick YouTube.com → is used in case if the opponent is positioned sideways. From the frontal position, the bodyweight is moved to the left leg, the right thigh is drawn upwards. At the same time, the foot starts moving to the right, following a circle trajectory in the beginning, and linear trajectory in the end. Then the leg straightens at the knee, making the push. The push to the left side is done in a similar way.

Back kick YouTube.com → is used when the opponent is positioned behind. From the fighting stance, the bodyweight is moved to the left leg, while the right leg (bent at the knee) moves upwards. Then, the foot moves to the target along a linear trajectory (making a curve in the beginning). The leg, unbending at the knee, makes the push. In the end of the push, the right side of the torso is half-turned to the opponent, the foot is parallel to the floor. Push kick to the back with the left leg technique is identical.

2016-04-28. Moscow (RUS).“FIGHT RAMTL – IX”. Hasan “Cobra” Hudayberyev (Moscow) vs Anton “Hurrican” Edemiller (Noginsk).

Round roundhouse kicks.

2008-12-07. Moscow (RUS). Luzhniki stadium. Arthur “Viking” Gasanov (RUS) vs Sean Hammer” Hinds (NYC. USA).

Round kicks are the ones most often used in Thai bo xing fight. Thanks to big rotation radius (distance from the rotation axis to the target) and significant weight of the leg, this kick is the strongest kick in Thai boxing. Round kicks can target body, head and legs.

2005-01-18. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in ‘Capitalism’ casino. Andrey Kotsur (BLR) vs Shahbulat «Assassin» Shamhalayev (RUS).

Low roundhouse kicks.

пусто

Right low roundhouse kick.

YouTube.com →

This kick is very dangerous: if it lands on the thigh or slightly higher than the knee, it can paralyze the opponent. Many fighters who begin to practice Thai boxing are afraid of these kicks, as well as elbow and knee strikes.

2013-11-19. RUS. Dagir Yangaliev (RUS) vs Ivan “Koshey” Busarov (RUS).

Right low kick to the leg is done after left foot turns to the left (with a step or without it) and bodyweight moves to the left leg, slightly bent at the knee. The kick is made with lower calf and targets the leg of the opponent.

Execution. The left foot turns to the left, bodyweight is transferred to the left leg (bent). Then, hip and right shoulder rapidly turn to the left, followed by right thigh being drawn forward along a circle trajectory.

The moment right side of the torso gets close to the central axis, the leg unbends at the knee and travels to the target along a circle trajectory. The kick is made with a calf and targets the inner and external part of the opponent’s thigh, as well as calf muscles and Achilles tendon. The kick can be done with both right and left foot, from the basic position or with the step forward, or while changing the position through step back or jump.

2015-06-26. Moscow City (RUS). “RAMTL FIGHT-IV”. Rustam “Thong-Po” Ataev (UZB) vs Alexey “Spear” Kostikov (RUS).

Important note. Torso, right shoulder and left arm cover moves are similar to slipping to the left. The right hand is freely dropped to the right (opposite to the kick direction). This way, while making the kick the boxer slips to the left and protects himself from counter-punches – and makes the kick stronger through bending the left leg.

Depending on the tactical goals and the fight situation, low kick can be used in the attack, preventive attack or counter-attack. In the attack, it can be used as a stand-alone kick or as part of the series.

In a preventive attack, it is used against the opponent that attacks with punches (especially with straight punches) or the opponent who prepares to attack with the hand or leg, moving entire bodyweight to the leg (this leg will be targeted by counter low-kick).

2015-02-27. Moscow City (RUS). “Federation East” Tower. 31 floor, “RAMTL FIGHT-I”. Abdulvadut “Hammer” Eldarkhanov (RUS) vs Nikita “Lyon” Bushuev (RUS).

In a counter-attack, it is used after the boxer defended himself from the opponent’s punch.

Main roundhouse low kick mistakes:

The rear foot doesn’t rotate on its ball;

The kick is made without slipping, which makes it lose strength and lack cover from the counter-punch;

No left or right hand cover;

The rear leg is not bent, which makes the kick lose its strength;

Pulling back – it makes the boxer land a kick with his instep: this is inefficient and increases risk of injury;

In general, the instep should not touch the target, and the ball doesn’t have to be too expanded (further details on the ball position in “Defense from low kick”); the distance should allow to reach the target with a calf easily.

Defense from low kicks.

Calf cover-up;

Left foot step back;

Jump back;

Blocking front kick with left or right leg, that targets the thigh or to the hip.

Calf cover-up.

The cover up against right low kick should be done with the left calf. While executing the defense, the boxer puts upper part of the calf under the kick (in knee area).

In the basic position, the boxer quickly elevates his left leg, turning its ball as much as possible to the left. The calf is at right angle to the floor, the ball expanded. Left leg is tense while doing this defense, and hands cover the head from the punches.

That said, some Thai boxing schools have the opposite opinion about the ball position and presume it should be expanded upwards as much as possible.

The right calf cover-up is done is a similar way.

Main cover-up mistakes:

Left leg is bent in a sharp corner, or is not tense, or is raised too high. This mistake makes the opponent to get through the defense and land a kick on the inner thigh part, or the calf muscle, or the right knee;

No hand cover-up;

Left leg ball is not turned and left leg moves upwards, not left-upwards. This mistake can make the kick land on left calf muscle, which can lead to injury.

2004-10-12. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in ‘Capitalism’ casino”. ___ (THA) vs Ekaterina “Madonna” Tsepeleva (RUS).

After cover-up defense, the boxer can do counter attack with a round kick, low kick or punches (“one-two” combination of straight head punch).

Left roundhouse low kick.

YouTube.com →

2004-10-26. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in ‘Capitalism’ casino”. Sergey Shish (BLR) vs Elbrus Dzhumakov (RUS).

Left low kick is done in a similar way. In that case, the left leg is positioned behind. The boxer can land a kick on a right leg of the opponent regardless of the stance (right or left).

Middle roundhouse kicks.

YouTube.com →

2004-11-16. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in ‘Capitalism’ casino”. Wirochai Suhachen (THA) vs Marsel “Sailor” Adzhiniyazov (RUS).

While doing right body middle kick, the boxer transfers bodyweight to the left leg. After that, right shoulder, and then the hip are drawn forward, making circle movement to the right around vertical axis that goes through the left leg. At the same time, the shoulder goes ahead of the hip, and hip goes ahead of the thigh – which makes torso muscles, front part of the hip and front part of the thigh stretch.

Simultaneously, right leg elevates from the floor, left leg slightly pushes up on its ball, and the right hip starts the rotation from right to left along a circle trajectory. While moving to the target, the leg unbends at the knee. The kick is done with the lower part of the calf. In the end of the kick, the torso is turned to the opponent with its right side, right shoulder is drawn forward. Left leg is fully straightened, slightly pushed up on its ball and slightly turned to the left. Left palm covers the head from a counter-punch.

2004-10-26. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in ‘Capitalism’ casino”. Vitaly Gurkov (BLR – Vitaly Hurkou) vs Tagir Magomedov (RUS). On the picture on the right: ___, T. Magomedov, V. Gurkov, A.Zelenevsky

Important note. Almost in all the pictures illustrating the kick, left leg is bent. Not to get confused, you should remember that left leg should be fully straightened at the knee. Moreover, left leg move is rapid and strong – it pushes up on its ball, calf muscles are working – and it should not be weakened by the bent knee.

Left pam covers the head from a counter-punch. Palm defense can be easily broken though with a counter-punch. That is why the defense should be made with a forearm, or even better – with the elbow (covering nose and chin), because the opponent would not even try to punch the elbow.

2015-04-03. Moscow City (RUS). “RAMTL FIGHT-III”. Ramazan “Hero” Gasanov (RUS) vs Dmitry “Sheriff” Adbullin (BLR).

Defense against middle

roundhouse

kicks.

2004-11-30. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in ‘Capitalism’ casino”. Yury «Prince» Bessmertny (BLR) vs Marat Gereev (RUS).

2015-10-23. Moscow City (RUS). “RAMTL FIGHT-V”. Sher “Sher-Khan” Mamazulunov (UZB) vs Valery “Gentleman” Pashkovsky (RUS).

2004-11-16. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in ‘Capitalism’ casino”. Dmtry Kachinsky (RUS) vs Mikhail Glavinsky (RUS).

2004-09-21. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in ‘Capitalism’ casino. Anton “Barguzin” Babushkin (RUS) vs Roustam “Wolf” Dzhavatkhanov (RUS).

High roundhouse kicks.

YouTube.com →

When doing right high kick, calf has a very large amplitude of the movement. The kick is made with the foot or lower part of the calf, and targets the head or the neck of the opponent.

2004-11-02. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in ‘Capitalism’ casino”. Dmitry “Sheriff” Abdullin (BLR) vs Osman “Shrek” Magomedov (RUS).

Execution. Bodyweight is moved to the left leg, the hip and right shoulder rapidly turn to the left thanks to the rotation of the rear leg (that is straightened and rotates on its ball). Then right thigh is rapidly drawn forward in a circle trajectory; the moment right part of the torso reaches the central axis, the leg rapidly unbends at the knee, the foot travels to the target in a circle trajectory, targeting the head or the body of the opponent.

In this kick, the leg should not be bent at the knee, which means that hips are turning together with the thigh, united in their movement. Left elbow or palm are covering the head from the punch, right shoulder is turned inwards, right arm is moved behind the back along the torso.

Note. One of the round kick types kick is a diagonal kick. The kick follows a circle trajectory, pointed at approximately 45 degrees to the floor. It targets the forearm or the head.

2015-12-11. Moscow City (RUS). “RAMTL FIGHT-VI”. Sher “Sher Khan” Mamazulunov (UZB) vs Valery “Gentleman” Pashkovsky (RUS).

High kicks main mistakes:

Foot is not turned on its ball;

The ball of the striking leg is not expanded;

No hand cover;

The hip goes “behind” the thigh, and does not turn together with it.

Depending on the tactical tasks and the situation in the fight, high kicks can be used in the attack, preventive attack or counter-attack.

When used in the attack, high kicks can be done as a stand-alone kick or part of the series. For instance, they are often used together with straight punches.

When used in a counter-attack, the boxer throws high kick immediately after the defense against the opponent’s kick. Usually, Thai boxer answers to a kick with a counter kick.

Right high kick can be done after step with the left foot to the left or forward-left. Similarly, left high kick can be done after right foot step to the right or forward-right.

These moves are mainly used against the attacking opponent. Moving to the right or to the left, the boxer gets away from the opponent’s attack and throws a counter high kick.

Defense against high kicks:

Calf cover-up;

Shoulder, forearm or glove cover-up against head high kicks;

Elbow cover-up against high body kicks;

Pulling back;

Jump back;

Leg push stop;

Step back with leg moving backwards. When defending against right high kick, back foot makes a step back while right hand parries the kicking leg from left to right.