BOXING TECHNIQUES

BASIC PUNCHES

Jab – The most basic punch in Muay Thai is the jab. The jab is often the first offensive weapon you will learn. The Jab can be used offensively or it can be used defensively to stop an incoming opponent. A strong jab should be a part of every fighters arsenal.

Cross – The cross is a weapon that is known has the power shot. This is a punch that will put fear into your opponent if you connect properly. This is the lights out shot that will hurt if you land it. Setting up the cross if something that will take time, but it is something everyone needs to perfect.

Technically, the cross is the straight right (on an orthodox fighter) or the straight left (on a southpaw). However, a ‘cross’ ‘crosses’ over diagonally rather than striking out straight.

As such, an argument can be made for another punch: the straight punch.

Straight Right (or Left) – As stated above, similar to the Cross, but rather than a diagonal angle, the straight right does not veer diagonally but rather is a straight punch.

Straight rights can be used as a rear ‘jab’ punch — used by some fighters like Floyd Mayweather very effectively due to the speed and accuracy. At the end of a combo, the straight right can be used as a knockout punch.

Hook – The hook is a technique that is extremely effective if you can connect on your opponents chin. Also known as the knockout punch, a good hook is something that will strike fear into the heart of your opponents. The most common hook that is thrown is the left hook by orthodox fighters. Typically this is known as the knockout punch because it is something you often don’t see coming.

Straight Body Punch – The Straight Body Punch is a great technique that you throw using your dominant hand. When you throw the straight punch it is important that you don’t bend down too low or you could get caught with a knee to the face. This is a technique that should be setup otherwise you will leave yourself exposed to your opponent. A good straight body punch can drop your opponent for the count.

Hook to the Body – Another punching technique you can utilize are body hooks/uppercuts that are designed to damage your opponent over time. Body punches are useful for wearing down an opponent over time as they start to accumulate shots and damage throughout the round. However, if you land a left body hook to the liver, it can have a devastating effect and drop your opponent for the count.

Uppercut – The uppercut is a technique that is effective in close range or at distance. A clean uppercut can easily render an opponent unconscious. The uppercut can either be used with the lead or the backhand and the power is generated from the fighter’s core.

Overhand Punch – The overhand is a punching technique that is used with the fighters backhand. The momentum generated from the overhand punch makes this one of the most powerful punch techniques that a fighter can throw. In order to land an overhand punch, you will need to set it up effectively. Typically, the overhand punch is thrown from the power side. For an orthodox fighter, this would be ‘the overhand right.’

Looping Lead Hook – A leaping hook that’s used effectively by some boxers  (Floyd Mayweather, Prince Naseem)

ADVANCED PUNCHES

Spinning Back Fist – The spinning back first is another punch technique that is not commonly used in Muay Thai. The spinning back fist generates its power from the momentum of the fighters spinning and generating that torque into the back of their fist.

Superman Punch – The superman punch is a popular technique because it is a tricky fake that can fool opponents. Landing the overhand will require a fighter to set it up properly to ensure that the opponent falls for the fake when the punch is thrown. If used effectively, this is one of the “coolest” moves you can use.