Simple & reliable Muay Thai Combos

Are you looking to diversify your Muay Thai combos? Are you searching for the best and most efficient combinations? 

Having some basic boxing knowledge should certainly ease your task in completing these combos. Muay Thai drills, however, vary from boxing in various ways. Not only do you use your fists, but your legs, knees and elbows as well. 

Muay Thai combinations can come off fairly technical at first, yet they aren’t overly complicated when taking one at a time. We’ve detailed here the best ones for upper, lower and full body. 

 

Leg Kick Muay Thai Combinations

All the following combinations will start with the left leg facing forward. In Muay Thai, most drills begin with a jab. 

 

#1. Left Jab — Rear Roundhouse Kick

This combo uses your entire body force to throw one of the most powerful leg kicks. For beginners, start by kicking under your opponent’s hips. As your flexibility and technique improve, try to reach higher, targeting the head.

 

Left Jab

1. Begin with a single jab. With your right leg behind, punch straight ahead using your left fist.
2. As you’re reaching your opponent, your fist should be facing towards the ground.
3. Return to your stance. 

 

Roundhouse Kick

1. Move your bodyweight to your left front leg. 
2. Try to slightly lift your left heel off the floor. Rising, so you’re on the balls of your feet, can help you spin your body.
3. Start by lifting your back right knee in front of you, to your chest.
4. In a continuous movement, pivot your upper body and hips inwards. Your left knee and foot follow the motion, rotating inwards as well, in a 90-degree angle.
5. Your left hand should be protecting your jaw, while the right hand will slightly sit below the jaw. Your right elbow almost touches your right quad.
6. To keep balance, lean your torso slightly towards your left side. Your quads should form a straight line with your upper body.
7. Extend your leg to hit your opponent with force but keep your right knee slightly bent. Your shin should be the part of your leg entering in contact with your partner or heavy bag.
8. Don’t stop after kicking your partner. Use the energy you’ve created to complete the spin. You’ve made a 360-degree turn from your initial stance, and a 180-degree turn from the moment of impact.

 

 

#2. Left Jab — Lead Teep

This drill might be one of the most important Muay Thai combinations. A teep, or ‘push kick’ is meant to keep your opponent away. It allows you to dominate a fight, its rhythm, and regain control of your personal space.

1. In an orthodox stance, proceed with a single left jab as described above.
2. As you get back into your stance, take a step forward with your right foot, placing it just behind your left foot. Your feet should form a T-shape.
3. Although you’ve changed your leg positioning, keep your left hand and shoulder slightly forward.
4. Bring your left knee up ahead of you, and up to your chest.
5. Extend in a powerful kick while leaning back to keep your balance.
6. Your left foot should land flat on your opponent’s abs or hips to push them further away. 
7. Bring your foot back into your stance position.

 

 

Elbow Combinations

Muay Thai, the art of eight limbs, wouldn’t be the sport it is without elbow strikes!

 

#3. Left Jab — Rear Elbow

1. Begin the combo with our regular left jab from your right leg back stance position.
2. Pull your right elbow up towards the right side, reaching your shoulder’s height.
3. The palm of your fist is facing down.
4. Your elbow and shoulder should form a straight line, parallel to the floor.
5. Pivot your core and hips towards the left to generate power, bringing your right elbow forward. 
6. Ensure to hit with the elbow and not the forearm. Your elbow is more likely to make cuts and creating more impact — because it’s bone, weakening your attacker. For this reason, try to reach for the cheeks, nose, eyes and eyebrows.

 

#4. Left Jab — Rear Elbow Straight — Spinning Elbow

Practice the previous simple routine. Once you have it nailed, move on to this more advanced one.

1. As you come back from the left jab to your initial position, continue with a right rear elbow (as above). You should be well versed in making this strike by now.
2. Don’t lose your focus and be ready for your next attack.
3. Return to your right leg back stance. Slip onto your right side, and keep your body weight on your right leg.
4. Slide your left leg one step forward. Tilt your left hip, leg and foot toward the right. Your left foot should be parallel to your opponent.
5. Most of your weight should now be on your left leg. Bring your right elbow up forming a straight line parallel to the floor.
6. Make a full body rotation towards your right. Your right leg should assist in gaining momentum by pushing on the floor. It also helps you stay balanced.
7. Aim for the same face areas as previously mentioned.
8. To return to your starting position, you have two options. You can come back the same way you came, rotating in a counterclockwise direction. Or you can also continue the spin until you face your attacker again.

 

Check out how effective and devastating elbow strikes can be in real competition settings: 

 

 

Upper and Lower Body Combinations

As you become more familiar and faster while practicing the previous drills, begin integrating routines with both upper and lower body moves. Refresh your knowledge on different types of punches.

 

#5. Left Jab — Lead Elbow — Rear Elbow — Right Knee

We kick off the drill as we previously did, with a left jab and an elbow strike. Yet, this time, begin by using your lead elbow to hit your opponent. 

 

Left Jab — Lead Elbow — Rear Elbow

1. As you finish the jab with your left hand, use the same arm to continue your routine. 
2. Just as for the rear elbow kick, lift your left elbow in alignment with your left shoulder’s height. 
3. Using your hips and core muscles, rotate your body towards the right to reach your opponent. Keep your hands up in front of your chin.
4. Hit your rival with your left elbow, aiming for the face.
5. Quickly come back to your stance.
6. Continue your routine with the rear elbow strike you’re familiar with. This time, you’re throwing your right elbow. 

 

 

Right Knee

1. Finish your drill with a right knee kick.
2. Pull your rear (right) knee up in front of you, but in a 45-degree angle from your chest. 
3. If you’re striking straight up, you’ll be hitting with your shin instead of your kneecap, which won’t produce the same level of pain and efficiency.
4. Using the power of your hips, push through your opponent, and produce a strong strike. 
5. Aim for the core, preferably the liver area for the greatest effect. 

Regarding the hands’ positioning, you have several options: 

• Protecting the face. 
• While proceeding with the right knee strike, bring your both arms together towards your left hip to provide force and stability.
• Grab the opponent’s shoulder or neck with your left hand for leverage. 

 

#6. Left Jab — Right Straight — Liver Hook — Right Kick

We initiate this workout in an orthodox stance, and with common boxing punches.

1. A left jab is followed by a right straight punch to the head. When your opponent lifts their hands to protect their head, the liver area uncovers, ready for you to strike.
2. Continue the drill with the liver hook. Keeping your right hand up to your jaw, lift your left elbow to the side at a 90-degree angle away from your core. It should be aligned with your left shoulder’s height and parallel to the ground.
3. Hit the liver area with your fist and return to your initial position.
4. Proceed with the roundhouse kick technique, but don’t spin. While bringing your right knee toward your chest, rotate your body and knee 90 degrees towards the left, both knees slightly bent. Keep your left heel slightly off the ground and extend your right leg with as much force as possible.

 

 

#7. Lead Uppercut — Right Straight — Inside Low Kick

It’s critical to keep both arms up to protect your face during this combo. Typically, your competitor will start throwing jabs at you, especially during the kick. 

1. With your right leg placed at the back, proceed with a left uppercut. In a circular movement, bring your punch down before taking it back up. Aim for your opponent’s solar plexus or liver. Your left palm should be facing you during the entire punch.
2. Continue with a right straight punch before returning to your stance.
3. If you’re close enough to your partner, you may be able to throw the inside low kick directly from your stance. Most of the time, however, you’ll need to get closer before striking. 
4. If so, with your right leg, take a step forward towards your rival. 
5. Using your right foot as a pivot point, rotate your hip towards the right and hit with your inner leg.
6. Throw your left leg on your opponent’s right outer thigh, just above the kneecap. As you strike, keep your foot in a 90-degree angle from your leg.

 

 

Effective Muay Thai Combos

Muay Thai combos can seem impressive to untrained eyes. Unlike boxing, they add some technical elbows, knees and leg kicks. This is not counting that each blow comes with a multitude of variations. 

The basic techniques mentioned in this article aren’t complicated to achieve. Gradually, try the more advanced combos combining both upper and lower body strikes. Sooner than you know, you’ll be the one that beginners admire and look up to!