Muay Thai offense is important. But defense must not be neglected. Defensive tactics can contain the opponent’s attack and put the defender in a counterattack position. Below we introduce the defensive tactics commonly used when attacking the head with straight punches.
Blocking (see Figure 5-30)
(1) The defender moves his right hand forward in the direction of the opponent’s jab, or fully or half-open his fist against the incoming punch.
(2) With a heavy blow, your own fist sleeve has the danger of hitting your face, and you can resist it slightly harder when hitting your palm, which is conducive to counterattack.
(3) Reasonable teaching steps are as follows: wait, do not reach out to move in a straight line, and grasp when pressing.
(4) Wait for the opportunity to fight back with the left hand.
Outside dodge block (see Figure 5-31)
Outward dodge is an attack punch that a defender dodges outward and slaps his opponent with his right palm, especially the basic technique that a fighter should learn early on.
(1) The jab should be stopped before the attack, the movement should be limited to the wrist and forearm, and the amplitude should be as small as possible.
(2) Block the incoming punch with the palm of the right fist, and the control of the jab depends on the contact surface of the slap sleeve, and also depends on the strength of the fist.
(3) The contact between the defender and the attacker’s wrist, relative to the boxing cover, will cause the attacker to lose balance. The first punch is aimed at the left shoulder.
(4) Put your left fist in a defensive position, waiting for an opportunity to counterattack the head or upper body.
Inner dodge (see Figure 5-32)
In interior dodging, the defender flashes into the inside of the opponent’s attacking straight punch, a defensive technique that requires a special sense of time, and the timing of its attack depends on the distance of the attack, as well as its coordination and the force of the blow.
(1) Block the jab with the back of the right fist.
(2) In the immediate moment before the hit, the amplitude of the defensive action should be as small as possible.
(3) The front foot can be twisted to the left to help complete the blocking action, which is especially important for short athletes to counterattack.
(4) This technique requires the defender to flash in to the inside of the opponent, paying special attention to the position of the left hand to protect the chin.
Push-avoidance (see Figure 5-33)
The technique of using the foot as a defense should be taught as early as possible. Some Eastern European countries dodge attacks purely with footwork, and beginners will feel that this attack is a natural defense method, “jump out of the attack”, it is an easy-to-control short-range dodge method that keeps the fighter balanced at all times.
(1) When the opponent’s first punch approaches, the front foot is immediately followed by the retreat.
(2) The upper body relaxes and maintains a defensive posture to fight back.
(3) When disengaged from the attack, the front foot quickly returns to the offensive position.
Once it is considered that the push and evasion maneuver has been completed, it is necessary to quickly return to the offensive position, and the retreat and return advance (see Figure 5-34) are completed almost in one rhythm.
Look at the first punch, retreat, and instill. The power to return comes from the back foot that follows the front leg.
Dodge
Dodge techniques provide defenders with the opportunity to counterattack with one hand, as neither side can use this set of moves when defending, and if they do, they must be skillful, have a sense of timing and predictability, and also increase the necessary confidence to avoid the opponent’s onslaught with the least amount of head.
Dodge outward (see Figure 5-35)
(1) The center of gravity of the body is shifted to the right foot, and the balance should be absolutely maintained.
(2) Bend your right leg and lean your right shoulder slightly lower, so that the opponent’s jab slips over the left shoulder.
(3) The defender is always waiting for the opportunity to counterattack.
Dodge inward (see Figure 5-36)
Any movement by a boxer entering the opponent’s defensive area should be very careful and never enter the attacking line of the opponent’s right hand. The defender can use the left fist to block the opponent’s right fist. The use of “blocking” methods to eliminate the risk of the right fist, such as the task of counterattack can only be completed with the right hand, in the dodge counterattack and return attack, quickly plays an important role.
(1) The center of gravity of the body is shifted to the left foot.
(2) The right shoulder is slightly leaned forward, and the waist is lowered with the leg bent, so that the opponent’s jab slides over the right shoulder.
(3) The defender should relax. Wait for the opportunity to fight back with any hand.
