Learning Muay Thai:
Just one step away from unlocking the fighter in you

By Kru Hemanth Kumar Published on: Thu Mar 10, 2022

The first technique involves evading a cross jab and countering with a side elbow, low kick and angle kick. The second features a double downward elbow, double side elbow, and double spear elbow. The next starts with a low kick, followed by an angle kick, double roundhouse kick, and jumping thrust kick. The final one starts with a jab and cross jab, followed by a clinch, straight knee and cross knee. The striker finishes with a double low kick.

Kru Hemanth Kumar

Seasoned Muay Thai fighter and 3-time bronze winner in the world championships, Kru Hemanth Kumar has also perfected Self-Defence techniques targeting vulnerable pressure points. He has spent three decades teaching and training in multiple styles of Muay Thai.

This final tutorial takes you through the four techniques of Combination 10 in Pad Work fight training. These have been codified and passed on through many generations of fighters in Muay Thai. Practising these can prove quite useful in any fight.  

Technique 27 – Dodge, Salab Fan Pla, Elbow and Kick

This involves the striker evading the opponent’s cross jab by employing the Salab Fan Pla or diagonal step-out footwork. At the same time, he releases a side elbow to the opponent’s lower midsection. This is followed through with a lead leg low kick to the opponent’s rear leg, and finished up with an angle kick to his body.  

Technique 28 – Elbow Variations

This technique is purely based on elbow strikes and features three useful variations. The striker starts with a double downward elbow to the opponent’s midsection, followed by a double side elbow. He then finishes up by delivering a double spear elbow right in the opponent’s face. 

Technique 29 – Kick Variations

Where the previous technique was all about elbows, this one is about kicks. The striker begins with a low kick from the rear leg, followed by an angle kick from the lead leg. He then delivers a double roundhouse kick. To finish up, he attacks with a powerful jumping thrust kick.  

Technique 30 – Punch, Elbow, Clinch to Knee, and Push to Kick

This final technique is a bit tricky primarily because of the number of moves. The striker begins the attack with a jab and cross jab. He then lands a side elbow with the lead hand, closely followed by a rear hand spear thrust elbow to the opponent’s face. He then clinches the opponent and attacks with a straight knee, followed by a cross knee. At this point he pushes to create some distance, and then releases a double low kick from the same side to finish the move.  

That brings you to the end of this blog on Mastering Muay Thai. If you’ve read through all 40 posts and practised the moves, you’re sure to have a fairly good understanding of this fighting sport. But remember the one thing required to improve your skills and transform you into a legendary fighter – practice, practice, and more practice!