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The "Mae Mai" or major techniques of Muay Thai are the source of the entire art. There are 15 such techniques that varies from camp to camp, but most of these techniques are commonly found in all styles of Muay Thai. From these 15 Mae Mai grew forth another 15 "Luk Mai" or minor techniques which will be shown in a later article. Likewise, Luk Mai also varies but many are common. Though these 30 techniques may appear classical, some of them are very dangerous & banned in the Ring as they may cause serious injury or even death when applied correctly. Others are still often seen used by fighters today to great efficiency. Let us now take a look.

1. Cross stitch 交叉缝针 - Stepping to the outside of an opponent's punch & cross trapping the attacking arm.

2. Bird peeping through nest 窝里偷窥 - Stepping to the inside of an opponent's punch & trapping the attacking arm.

3. Chawa throws spear 差瓦掷矛 - Ducking to the outside to avoid an opponent's punch & countering with elbow strike to his ribs from there.

4. Inao stabs his kris 伊努刺刀 - Ducking to the inside to avoid an opponent's punch & countering with elbow strike to his ribs from there.

5. Lifting Mount Sumeru 力举须弥 - Ducking low to avoid an opponent's punch, then getting up with an right uppercut to his jaw. The left arm guards the chin.

6. Old man holding melon 老汉捧瓜 - Parrying an opponent's striking arm upwards, then counter with a left uppercut.

7. Mon supports pillar 蒙顶柱 - Stopping an opponent's forward attack with a push kick to the mid-section. Often used in the Ring.

8. Impaling the stake 穿杆钉 - Side step to block an opponent's round kick with both arms, using the elbow tip to crack his shin. Banned in the Ring.

9. Crocodile sweeps its tale 鳄鱼摆尾 - Step to the outside of an opponent's punch, counter with a spinning back round kick to his neck. Used only when an opponent appears to be weakened.

10. Break the elephant's tusks 力断象牙 - Side step to grab an opponent's round kick attack, then destroying the knee joint or thigh with an elbow smash. Banned in the Ring.

11. Serpent twists its tail 蟒蛇卷尾 - Side step to trap an opponent's attacking leg with both hands, then destroying the shin or thigh with a knee thrust. Can be used in the Ring provided one does not twist the opponent's foot.

12. Bird sommersaults 燕子翻身 - Checking an opponent's round kick with a push kick to his attacking shin or thigh.

13. Extinguish the lamp 熄灭灯火 - Step to the outside & parry an opponent's punch downwards, then counter with a hook punch to his face.

14. Giant catches the monkey 巨人捕猴 - fast methods to defend against an opponent's punch, kick & elbow combination attack.

15. Break the elephant's neck 猛断象颈 - Block an opponent's hook punch, then pull his neck down from the side to deliver a knee thrust to his face or mid-section. Often used by Muay Thai fighters against other stylists.

Some other Mae Mai: Beheading the beast 兽头斩 - Side step to block an opponent's round kick, then step in and strike his neck with an elbow chop. In the Ring it is aimed at the jaw instead of the throat, as striking the throat is illegal.

Some other Mae Mai: Narai unleashes his cakra 那莱抛轮 - As the opponent moves forward to attack, quickly step onto his knee & unleash an aerial round kick to his temple. This is more of a demonstration technique.

Besides the normal punchs, kicks, elbows & knees, all good Muay Thai fighters are expert in the use of a few, but not all of these Mae Mai or major techniques in a real fight. Mastery of simply a few already makes them very formidable fighters, for only a god can be expert at the use of all the Mae Mai, not to mention the Luk Mai. Truly Muay Thai is no mundane martial art. It is an art moulded into the minds & bodies of the Thais from young. It makes tigers out of ordinary men in a short time & bestow unarmed invinciblity on the gifted ones. That is why Thais regard the art as a national treasure. We shall look at the Luk Mai in the next article.

*Anyone interested in learning Muay Thai through the above instructional VCD (in english) please email me here. Titled <Noble Art of Muay Thai>, its about an hour long. On sale for just $8.00.

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