Learning Muay Thai:
Turn those elbows and knees into lethal weapons with Pad Work

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

The first technique features a straight jab, side elbow, and cross jab in that order. The second has a barrage of low kicks, followed by a clinch and side elbow to the opponent’s face. The last one is a little more complex. It begins with a switch and angle kick, followed by a cross jab. To top it all off, there’s a clinch and cross knee to end the routine.

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.

If you’ve found a pad-holder to practise strikes with, read on about fight training with Pad Work Combination 6. If not, still read on to get more tips on Muay Thai fighting. This particular combination has three techniques as well.  

Technique 15 – Clinch, Knee Forward, and Elbow

The striker clinches the opponent and then uses walk footwork to move his knee forward. This is to further bridge the gap and get in position to execute the finishing move, which is a downward elbow to the opponent’s face. This can come as quite a surprise if timed properly in a real fight. 

Technique 16 – Cross Elbow and Switch Knee

Starting from a clinched position, the striker delivers cross elbow attacks on both sides of the opponent. This is followed by using both hands to clinch on the same side, finishing with a cross or straight knee.  

Technique 17 – Elbow, Elbow and Spinning Elbow

This technique involves three successive elbow strikes, with minimal delay between the moves. The striker begins the attack with a slide 45-degree elbow from the rear hand, followed by an uppercut elbow with the lead hand. To finish off, he moves the leg across and releases a powerful spinning side elbow attack. 

That completes fight training using Muay Thai Pad Work Combination 6. Continue reading to learn more combinations.