Two Questions

[Grifter]

I was looking at another forum and they were saying that Muay Thai and western boxing use the same techniques for punches. I dont really trust much of whats said on that forum so I thought Id ask all of you if this is true.

Second question is about something else I heard. Which is that many/most people who take Muay Thai end up getting bad knees and have to quit. Just wanted to know if that was true either.

THANKS

[YODA]

Q1: Yes

Q2: No

[nicolo]

heh, wow, short and sweet answer.
Yeps, same punches, jab, cross, hook, uppercut, etc.
Bad knees if you train badly. But like any other full contact sport/art, you will always risk injury. The danger is never gone.

[Khun Kao]

1. Yes and No. Modern Muay Thai has been heavily influenced by international boxing to the point that the lines between the traditional and modern techniques are blurred beyond distinction. Face it, there are only so many effective ways to punch with gloves on.

One thing to consider is that many Thai gyms still teach to box using "arm/shoulder punches" more so than "body punches". By this I mean that the power of the punch is either generated by the arm/shoulder, or with the body.

Arm/shoulder punches are not as powerful, but are often "safer" to use because they leave the fighter less vulnerable to counterattacks, especially from kicks. Body punches generate more power, cause more damage, and have KO potential, but tend to leave the fighter open to Muay Thai's other weapons.

2. As mentioned already, as with any contact sport there will be risks to take, and potential injuries. However, it has been my experience that Muay Thai is EASIER on the knees than other arts such as Karate. I originally studied Tang Soo Do, and had to wear a knee brace to train. I dropped Karate for Muay Thai, and have never needed the knee brace since.

Khun Kao

[Timmy!]

My instructor made a point of saying that if you keep your supporting leg straight on the ground (i.e. do not pivot on it properly) when you execute a roundhouse kick, it puts a lot of strain on the knee joint. However, it shouldn't be a problem as long as you practise the techniques correctly.

[Grifter]

Alright Thanks again everybody.:D

[Maximicus]

Any and all MAs practised incorrectly will $#@% up your body beyond hope. Thats the Idea behind schools, to learn how to correctly use MAs.

[nicolo]

oh great, i've been kicking this redwood tree for years and now you tell me it's bad.

[shipto]

winner redwood tree :)

[TheMachine]

western boxing and muay thai use similar punches, but the stance is different. Getting bad knees is due to several factors and muay thai alone would not suffice

[Jordan]

Yoda, what about the elbows?

[Maximicus]

Only "dirty" boxers use elbows. At least since Queensbury.

[BangkokBabay]

Hi Grifter,

The authentic style of Muay Thai Boxing techniques is slightly different then Western Boxing. The Jab, and Cross would be the same. There are no right hooks in Muay Thai and their Left hook is thrown much wider along with the left body shot. Those do not come in as close as a Western Boxer's hooks and body shots. Upper cuts are also thrown slightly differently. Going from a strong Boxing Background to Muay Thai there was some difficulty with these adjustments.

Knees - I can't say I have heard anyone injuring their knees with Muay Thai.

Good Luck!

Kupkoonka!

[Blue Bloater]

As for the punches I don’t need to add anything to what’s been said.

For the knees my experience is this I practice MT 3 days a week on my own- Shadow boxing and heavy bag. I also practice Shotokan Karate 2 days a week (in a dojo). I have bad knees and the deep stances of Shotokan kill me so I stopped doing them and now I can do karate just fine. As for Muay Thai my knees have never hurt me doing it.

The things that do bother my knees are deep stances (I don’t do them). Jogging, and jumping rope. Most other exercises are fine.

I’ll say that MT not bad on your knees, or at least not any worse than any other sport or exercise routines.

Hint: Watch your distancing when performing the round kick, if you land with upper shin or knee you can hyper extend it.

[TheMasterSword]

1) yes pretty currently however, there are also other punches not seen in western boxing... such as hitting with the elbow pointing up and a slight bend in the arm.. its a great punch for pretty much looking like a straight punch but landing up and over the person's guard (hard to explain on forum's).... other "dirty" that i've seen and the "please" of experiencing was a boxer swinging the glove past the back of my head making it appear the he did a wild hoook when in fact his forearm connects

2) pretty much if you wanna save your knees dont start kneeing an experienced fighter in the clinch (learned my lesson when an elbow came crashing down on the acl :eek: ... also for start off slow at first kneeing soft pads then moving onto a heavier bag... etc. etc... pretty much the skiing theory... if you're jus starting dont go down the black diamond... start off bunny then progress and people who've been doing it for a long time actually DON'T fall on the black diamond...

happy skiing eerr thai boxing

[Blue Bloater]

Tip #2- When teeping be careful not to fully extend the leg all the way before contract is made because this can hyper extend the knee too- I learned this the hard way (ouch! 2 weeks of limping).

[BangkokBabay]

Tip #2- When teeping be careful not to fully extend the leg all the way before contract is made because this can hyper extend the knee too- I learned this the hard way (ouch! 2 weeks of limping).

Also in regards to that, it takes more energy to hit/kick and miss then it does to apply contact! ;)