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| Thai Boxing or Kick Boxing |
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distinct differences between Thai Boxing and Kickboxing, even between Thai
Boxing and traditional Muay Thai.
Kickboxing Kickboxing, or American Kickboxing, originated in the USA in the 1970’s as a result of the limitations imposed on martial arts competitions not allowing full contact kicks and punches. However, because of concerns about the high risk of injury the safety rules were changed, requiring the wearing of protective clothing. Fighters now wear gloves and footpads as a minimum and may also be required to wear shin pads. In general the sport uses kicks, punches and kick blocks, with kicks permitted both above and below the waist (not to the groin area). Some clubs practice only with contact above the waist, known as "Full contact rules kickboxing" and it is quite often referred to as "Full Contact Karate". It is also classed as a sport and not recognised as a Martial Art, even though it utilises Martial Art techniques. Traditional Muay Thai Muay Thai is both a sport and Martial Art with it’s roots in combat training over 2000 years ago and today as Thailand’s most popular spectator sport. Sometimes known as the science of eight limbs because of the use of hands, elbows, knees and feet (shins) as weapons it is one of the most aggressive martial arts, mainly because of the way the techniques are applied. The use of the word aggressive should not be associated with violence however, as respect, discipline and self-control are highly important. The Thai fighter will attack his opponent delivering kicks and punches above and below the waist (not the groin area) and also striking with knees and elbows. The main attack of the Thai fighter is the roundhouse or shin kick, which is delivered differently to most other Martial Arts by applying all the body into the kick, as opposed to the snap kick of the full contact fighter. This is widely recognised as the most powerful and devastating of all Martial Arts techniques. Thai Boxing Thai boxing only differs from traditional Muay Thai in the ring, where fighters in the UK are not allowed to use elbows to the head. However, elbows to the body are allowed and knees to the head or body are also allowed. |
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If you want to know more about traditional Muay Thai try or alternatively |
| Introduction | |||||
| Thai or Kick Boxing |