Win in the fight! Encyclopedia of Fight: Muay Thai, MMA, Kickboxing (Part I: Muay Thai, reducted ver). Сергей Иванович Заяшников
“RAMTL FIGHT-V”. Hariton “Wolf” Tuktaev (UZB) vs Elbrus “Sheick”Kaziev (RUS).
Punches.
It is a mistake to think that in Thai boxing punches are secondary. Enromous amount of fights end before the final gong just because of the punch effects – even in Thailand, where boxers are traditionally strong in kicks, elbow and knee strikes techniques.
2011-06-23. Moscow (RUS). VIP-RAMTL GYM. Radu Sprighel (NYC, USA) hold at pads.
Though not being equally strong as kicks and knee strikes, punches are more precise and can reach a very vulnerable area – the lower jaw.
Straight punches (jab, cross).
Head jab.
Jab is used to gauge the distance and probe the opponent’s resistance, coordination and defense ability. Jab disrupts the opponent and prevents him from focusing. A lot of attacks start with jab.
Execution. Body weight is transferred to the front leg, left shoulder turns to the right until reaches central torso axis, and then the hand rapidly straightens along a direct trajectory. When reached the target, the fist makes a punch through rapid quarter clockwise rotation, having palm pointed down.
When doing the punch, the boxer focuses all his strength on the forward hand movement, however when put back, hand travels relaxed and without any tension. In the position when the hand is straightened forward, left shoulder covers the left side of the chin, while right hand covers right side of it.
Jab can be combined with left footstep forward or right footstep backwards (left footstep backwards is rarely used).
Note. When punching, the fist is pointed thumb up: this will make the punch longer, however in that case it will be harder for the opponent to use his shoulder to cover the chin from the right punch.
2005-01-11. Moscow (RUS). “RAMTL in ‘Capitalism’ casino”. Juri Zhukovsky (BLR) vs Zaur “Samurai” Abdusalamov (RUS).
Head jab options.
Light repeated head jab.
Jabs of such type are made quickly and lightly. They are done one after another and are combined with step forward.Specific feature of these types of punches is their lightness. There is no need to rotate the torso while doing it – the punch is made through quickly unbending arm at the elbow and shoulder. Tactical purpose of it is to disorient, confuse the opponent, open him up.
Upper head jab.
The difference it has with the basic jab is that punching fist is pointed down (fingers pointed down), elbow is slightly drawn left up, which prevents right counter-punch or parries it.
This is a power punch and it can be used both while offensive and preventive counter-attack.
Lower head jab.
This jab is strong and quick. It is hard to protect from it due to its unpredictability and unusual direction.
2007-05-19. Moscow (RUS). Luzhniki stadium. Dzhavatkhan Atakov (RUS) vs Pavel « Kayman » Zhuravlev (UKR). Photo on the left : ____, Mike Sheppard (VW, USA), A. Vinnichuk (UKR), P. Zhuravlev (UKR)
Lower head jab is done from the position that is formed after slipping to the left, parrying to the right, rotating body to the left – not from a fighting stance. It can be done from the fighting stance only if the opponent is tall and erect.
Execution. Boxer rapidly sends fist to the target from initial stance or, for instance, after slipping to the left – which leads left hand to be a little bit behind and lower than the opponent’s head level. At the same time he rotates the torso from left to right. Left elbow is drawn down, thumb looks up. Everything else is done the same way as it was described in the basic jab. This punch is made mainly as a preventive blow and is done without stepping forward.
1993-09-02. Novosibirsk (RUS). Alexander Sokolov (RUS) vs Sergey Alles (RUS).
Head jab with move backwards.
This punch is used as a counter-punch against aggressive offense of the opponent. The boxer transfers his body weight to the right leg, throws his fist along direct trajectory towards the opponent, his torso rapidly rotates from left to right in a left hip. Everything else is done in a same way as the basic technique.
If the opponent is particularly aggressive and moves forward to attack, this punch can be combined with step backwards or side step, during which the boxer throws a counter-punch.
Short head jab.
In many cases, boxers end up fighting in a close range. This can happen on purpose or unexpectedly.
In that cases when jabs are thrown, the boxer either does not have time to straighten the arm or does not straighten it on purpose. When touching the target, he rapidly tenses muscles of his wrist, forearm and shoulder and for a second leaves the tensed hand in a position as it was touching the target. This is how so-called short jabs are done.
Except for above described difference, these punches technique doesn’t differ from regular jabs: same hand coordination, same legs and torso moves, and same covers.
That is why we will list only short left head jabs:
Short head jab (similar to basic jab)
Short upper head jab
Short lower head jab
All these jabs can be done with step forward, step backwards or without one. As for the lower head jab, it is a punch interim between jab and uppercut, and the initial position for it can be both fighting stance and positions connected to turning and slipping.
Main jab mistakes:
The head is inclined to the side, pulled back or turned
Elbows are drawn forward, opening the torso and deforming jab trajectory
Hands are dropped down after being put back into initial position
Right elbow drawn to the side, not covering the face
Body jab.
Left body jabs allow the boxer to gain points, get away from head punches, and prepare right counter-punch. There are not a lot of variations for this punch.
Execution. Left body jab (basic) is done from the main position with a step forward or without it. Torso bending forward right is the base of the movement. Bodyweight is transferred to the left leg, directing the hand to the target in a straight line. The fist is pointed fingers down, right hand covers the head from a counter-punch.
This jab is used in the offensive (with step forward) and as a preventive punch against the attacking opponent (without the step). When used in a close range, these jabs are done without inclining and become short jabs. This jab is particularly effective when combined