Sawasdee Khrap and good afternoon. My name is Björn. Welcome to our channel Kreng Jai Muay Boran Today we want to show you the defense in Thai boxing. In modern Muay Thai, which is a competitive sport, and in Muay Boran, which was developed for the battlefield. Since modern Muay Thai is a competitive sport, boxing gloves are used. Therefore, the basic defense is based on keeping the gloves up, closing the centerline when a direct punch (Jab or Cross) comes, protecting the head with the gloves since they are large and well padded for all blows aimed at the body: The liver, stomach or ribs, in modern Thai boxing the basic position is with the elbows always close to the ribs. The body bends a little to the side of the incoming attack to cover the impact zone or the closing the centerline by bringing both forearms together.
The way to block kicks is by raising your legs depending on which side the kick is coming from. The most recognized attack in modern Thai boxing is the kick to the upper leg. You have to protect yourself very well because they are very effective. It is done by raising the leg blocking the kick with the shin. Always turning in the direction, from where the kick is expected. It can also be applied diagonally In the traditional style, Muay Boran, the defenses are much more effective since it is a martial art, developed for war and therefore since everything is allowed, and there are no competition rules that must be respected, one has to defend oneself in a much more effective way.
Therefore, in Muay Boran you are not facing the opponent directly, but at an angle of 45 degrees, bending the legs more than in the modern way, to lower the center of gravity. Also in this way the weak areas are protected with the knees or the arms. The left arm forms a diagonal line in front of the face to close the centerline with the fist at the level of the eyebrows, or the third eye. The right arm forms a 'T' with the left forearm. From this position we block with the forearm or elbow. straight… to the side… or diagonal. Same thing on the other side. Direct… raising the elbow… or diagonal. While the right arm is raised crossing the centerline, the left arm is lowered to protect the lower part of the body. Body attacks are blocked with the elbows and forearms as well. Lowering the center, getting into position, and then… lowering the arms to the side of the attack, blocking with the forearms or elbows.
Kicks to the body or legs in the traditional way are blocked more or less like in the modern style. The difference is that in the modern block the tip of the foot is lowered by twisting the toes inwards, in the traditional way it is the other way around, the tip of the foot is raised to tighten the muscles and to be able to hook the leg with the foot. Thank you very much, see you soon, please like and subscribe to our channel, if you enjoyed the video. Khop Khun Khap.
