MAE MAI LUK MAI

(Master and Complimentary Techniques of Muay Thai)

In ancient times the science of Muay Thai was known as Pahuyuth (multi -skilled) and divided major boxing tricks into two kinds:

1. Mae Mai (Master tricks) 2. Luk Mai (Complimentary tricks)

These represent every Muay Thai movement, using fists, feet, Knees and elbows in a wide variety of combinations.

The major, or Mae Mai moves consist of 15 selected techniques which are essential for the complete mastery of Muay Thai.

1. Salab Fun Pla (cross stitch) – Used for keeping out of range, step to outside of opponents strike and counter with elbows to the body.

2. Paksa Waeg Rang (Bird peeping through nest) – Keeping arms close together to block strikes, and peering through gap to deliver counter (elbow)

3. Hak Kor Mahingsa – Side step to avoid punch, grab neck and deliver knee strike.

4. Hanuman Tawaiwaen (Hanuman the Monkey King Presents the ring) – Step Through opponents guard to deliver double uppercut.

5. Java (Chawa) Sad Hok (Chawa throws spear) – Avoid straight left to face, sway the body to right (about 30 degrees) with weight on right leg, elbow strike with left arm to opponents ribs.

6. Praram Yieb Luangka – Attack by jumping onto thigh and shoulder of opponent while delivering elbow to top of head.

7. Tad Mala – Attack by stepping forward with uppercut elbow.

8. Pak Taitoy – Counter by stepping to the outside and forward of opponents attack while delivering a reverse elbow to the back of the head.

9. Hak Nguang Iyara (Break the elephants tusks) – after grabbing the opponents leg, attack the top of the thigh with a downward elbow.

10. Mon Yan Lak (Mon Supprts the Pillow) – Front teeb counter to punch or kick.

11. Hanuman Wern Weha – Attack by jumping on to opponents lead leg and delivering knee strike.

12. Pranarai Kahmsamut – Attack by jumping on to opponents lead leg and delivering round kick to neck.

13. Jorake Fadhang (Crocodile Sweeps its tail) – Spinning back kick to opponents neck.

14. Hakor Erawan (Break the Elephants neck) – Block punch, then grab opponents neck and deliver knee strike.

15. Naka Bidhang (Serpent twists its tail) – When the opponent throws a kick to the ribs, grab the leg (two hands), twist and simultaneously deliver a knee strike to the inner thigh.

According to the standard Thai Boxing teaching , these are divided into 15 variations, namely

• Erawan Soeigna (elephant thrusting its tusks) – Counter punch by stepping in and blocking with one arm while delivering an uppercut with the other.
• Prararm Naosurm (Rama Pulls the bow string) – Guard (stop) elbow attack and counter with straight punch.
• Hirap Muanpandin – (Mountain Overturns the earth) Counter against punch or kick attack by spinning back elbow to chin.
• Hongse (Hong) Pikhak (Swan with Broken Wings) – Block opponents punch and counter with elbow strike to upper arm.
• Fan Look Buab (Slicing the Cucumber) – Step in and side elbow to face.
• Rusee Bod Ya – Grab Opponents neck, jump up and deliver downward elbow to top of head.
• Yak Ngiang Pla – Turn away to avoid punch, counter with rising elbow to chin.
• Bata Looppak (Foot Touches Face) – Teep Slap Kick to opponents face.

• Tain Kwadlan (Monk Follower Sweeps the Floor) – Evade kick, step across low and deliver sweeping kick to opponents supporting leg.
• Kwang Liewang (Deer Looks back) – Feint or deliver round kick and follow with teep to opponents ribs.
• Praram Sagota – Use feet to kick or shove at opponents throat.
• Tayae Kamsao (Tayae supports the pillar) – Counter kick by kicking upper thigh of opponents supporting leg.
• Khun Yak Pa Nang (Giant Steals the girl) – Attack by grabbing opponents waist in bear hug, then twist and deliver knee attack.
• Koompan Poonghok – Side step a punch and deliver knee to ribs.
• Naga Mood Badan (Serpent sneaks to the Ocean Kingdom) – When opponent kicks with high round kick duck underneath. When opponent misses counter with thrust kick to knee joint.

The Mae Mai and Luk Mai techniques may vary slightly from school to school, some even have more techniques. It is generally accepted however, that there are 15 master and 15 complimentary techniques.