Human Weapon On History Chanel

Human Weapon In History Chanel

The Ultimate search of a Human Weapon, Each episode of HUMAN WEAPON charts an expedition through foreign continents, famous cities, exotic villages, back alleys and lush landscapes with hosts Jason Chambers – mixed-martial-artist and professional fighter – and Bill Duff – former professional football player and wrestler, who will learn how each individual location gave birth to its distinct form of combat and will study their form of martial art.

Jason Chambers and Bill Duff will put their bodies through extreme exercises and challenges to prepare for a battle against a professional fighting master in the arts of MAUY THAI, KARATE, JUDO, ESKRIMA Stick-fighting, SAVATE Street-fighting, KUNG FU and much more.

Jason Chambers
A Total Fighting Challenge Welterweight Champion, Jason Chamber’s record as an MMA fighter is 16 wins and 4 losses. Jason Chambers was born in Chicago on March 23, 1980 and has been training in various martial arts since the age of six. He credits his Uncle Dean Chambers and friend Shawn Terrance for igniting his passion for the martial arts. Jason has fought in “Deep” in Japan and “Rento Maximo” in Mexico and all over the USA. Jason has trained under Renzo Gracie and currently under Eddie Bravo in Jiu-Jitsu. In addition Jason also holds the rank of “Phase 1 Instructor” in Jeet Kune Do under Joe Goytia. Some of Jason’s current training partners are Karo Parisayn, Bas Rutten, and Randy Coture at Legends Gym in Hollywood, California.

Bill Duff
Pro football player, bodyguard, wrestler and stunt double, Bill Duff holds a brown belt in Korean street fighting (Toa So Dou) under Master Davis of the Wa Wrang Studios in Riverside, NJ. Duff is a two-time heavyweight state champion wrestler, member of the NJ Hall of fame, and undefeated in bar fights. At 6′4, 280lbs, Duff was a professional football player for seven years. He started for the Orlando Rage in the XFL and spent the 2000 and 2002 NFL Europe seasons with the Berlin Thunder, helping them win the 2002 World Bowl Championships. Continuing his career with the Arena Football league, he played for the Indianapolis Firebirds and Columbus Destroyers. Prior to this, Duff played for the Cleveland Browns in their expansion year 1999-2000. He was also co-captain of the 1997 SEC champion Tennessee Volunteers.

http://www.history.com/minisites/humanweapon

Muay Thai Chaiya - Sok Chaiya

Sok Chaiya (Chaiya’s elbow).

In Chaiya style of fighting, elbows are short weapons designed to be used at close range. They are the dexterous weapons of Muay Chaiya. The elbows would be moving back and forth, up and down close to the face, making the face well covered and at the same time, allow the fighter to be able to launch his own attack with great power and speed. It is difficult to attack a skillful Muay Chaiya fighter, because the fighting stances and movements of Muay Chaiya always prescript elbows to be close and move to cover his entire body. They are like a durian fruit (a tropical fruit with hard and spiky skin). One can sustain injury unto oneself by hitting the spiky durian fruit.

Download Clip
http://one.revver.com/watch/298329/flv/affiliate/92536

Traditional Muay thai Chaiya training-Chok Manao

Chok Manao ( Punching lemons).

The defensive aspect of Pahuyuth training is the Pong-Pad-Pid-Perd (to block, to swipe to cover, to open). Teachers would hang lemons at about neck high. The students would have to hit the lemons with their fists, elbows and defend themselves with the defensive techniques. The students would have to be able to strike, block, attack, defend, and move in the master gesture with great agility. This training technique is considered to be most ingenious method by teachers of the old that has passed on to younger generations of Muay Chaiya practitioners.

Download File :
http://one.revver.com/watch/298282/flv/affiliate/92536

Karate - Stlye

Wado-Ryu was founded by Hironori Ohtsuka around the 1920s. Ohtsuka studied Jujutsu for many years before becoming a student of Gichin Funakoshi. Considered by some to be Funakoshi's most brilliant student, Ohtsuka combined the movements of Jujutsu with the striking techniques of Okinawan Karate. After the death of Ohtsuka in the early 1980s, the style split into two factions: Wado Kai, headed by Ohtsuka's senior students; and Wado Ryu, headed by Ohtsuka's son, Jiro. Both factions continue to preserve most of the basic elements of the style.

Uechi-ryu Karate, although it has become one of the main Okinawan martial arts and absorbed many of the traditional Okinawan karate training methods and approaches, is historically, and to some extent technically quite separate. The "Uechi" of Uechi-ryu commemorates Uechi Kanbun, an Okinawan who went to Fuzhou, the capital city of Fujian province in China in 1897 to avoid being drafted into the Japanese army. There he studied under master Zhou Zihe for ten years, finally opening his own school, one of the few non-Chinese who ventured to do
so at the time. The man responsible for bringing Uechi-ryu to the US is George Mattson.

Uechi-ryu, unlike the other forms of Okinawan and Japanese karate mentioned in the FAQ, is only a few decades removed from its Chinese origins. Although it has absorbed quite a bit of Okinawan influence and evolved closer to such styles as Okinawan Goju-ryu over those decades, it still retains its original Chinese flavor, both in its technique and in the culture of the dojo. It is a "half-hard, half-soft" style very similar to such southern Chinese styles as Fukienese Crane (as still practiced in the Chinese communities of Malaysia), Taiwanese Golden Eagle, and even Wing Chun. Conditioning the body for both attack and defense is a common characteristic of both Okinawan karate and southern Shaolin "street" styles, and as such is an important part of Uechi training. There is a strong internal component to the practice, including focused breathing and tensioning exercises similar to Chinese Qigong. Uechi, following its Chinese Crane heritage, emphasizes circular blocks, low snap kicks, infighting (coordinating footwork with grabs, locks, throws, and sweeps), and short, rapid hand traps and attacks (not unlike Wing Chun).

Karate - History of Karate

The Okinawan Karates could be said to have started in the 1600s when Chinese practitioners of various Kung Fu styles mixed and trained with local adherents of an art called "te" (meaning "hand") which was a very rough, very simple fighting style similar to Western boxing. These arts generally developed into close- range, hard, external styles.

In the late 19th century Gichin Funakoshi trained under several of the great Okinawan Karate masters (Itosu, Azato), as well as Jigoro Kano (see Judo) and Japanese Kendo masters (see Kendo). Influenced by these elements, he created a new style of Karate. This he introduced into Japan in the first decade of the 20th century and thus to the world. The Japanese Karates (or what most people refer to when they say "karate") are of this branch.

Okinawan Karate styles tend to be hard and external. In defense they tend to be circular, and in offense linear. Okinawan karate styles tend to place more emphasis on rigorous physical conditioning than the Japanese styles. Japanese styles tend to have longer, more stylistic movements. They also tend to be linear in movement, offense, and defense. Both tend to be high commitment, and tend to emphasize kicks and punches, and a strong offense as a good defense.

Wing Chun - Grand Master Yip Man

When Yip Man was thirteen years old he started learning Wing Chun. Because of his sifu's old age, Yip Man learned most of his lessons from his second sihing Ng Chung-sok. After three years Chan Wah-shun died, but one of his dying wishes was to ask Ng to continue with Yip's training.

At age sixteen, Yip Man went to attend school at St. Stephen's College in Hong Kong, which was an upmarket secondary school for wealthy families and foreigners who lived in Hong Kong.

According to one story, one day one of his classmates challenged him to try his martial arts skill with an older man. The man who Yip Man competed against beat him with a few strikes. It turned out that the old man was his sibak Leung Bik (梁璧), son of his sigung. After that encounter, Yip Man continued to learn from Leung Bik. At age 24, Yip Man returned to Foshan, and his Wing Chun skills had improved tremendously while he had been away. His fellow students believed he learned a different kind of martial art and treated him as a traitor to Wing Chun.

In Foshan, Yip Man didn't formally run a Wing Chun school, but taught Wing Chun to several children of his friends and relatives. Amongst those informal students, Chow Kwong-yue (周光裕 (六仔)), Kwok Fu (郭富), Lun Kai (倫佳), Chan Chi-sun (陳志新) and Lui Ying (呂應) were the most well known. Chow Kwong-yue was said to be the best student among his group of pupils, but he eventually went into commerce and dropped out of martial art all together. Kwok Fu and Lun Kai went on to teach students of their own and the Wing Chun in the Foshan and Guangdong area was mainly descended from those individuals. Chan Chi-sun died young, and Lui Ying went to Hong Kong; neither of them taking on any students.

During the Japanese occupation of China, Yip Man refused several invitations to train the Japanese troops. Instead, he returned to Hong Kong and opened a martial arts school. When he initially began the school, business was poor because his students typically stayed for only a couple of months before leaving. He moved his school to Hoi Tan Street (海壇街) in Sham Shui Po and then to Lee Tat Street (利達街) in Yau Ma Tei. By that time some of his students were trained to a sufficiently high enough skill level that they were able to start their own schools.

Some of Yip Man's students and descendants compared their skills with other martial artists in combat. Their victory over other martial artists helped to bolster Yip Man's reputation as a teacher.

In 1967, Yip Man and some of his students established the Hong Kong Ving Tsun Athletic Association (香港詠春拳體育會).

Bruce Lee, Yip Man's most famous pupil, studied under him from 1954 to 1957. When Yip Man retired, many of his students were themselves teaching Wing Chun, including Wong Shun Leung, William Cheung, Lo Man Kam (Yip Man's nephew), Moy Yat and his two sons Yip Chun and Yip Ching.

In 1972, Yip Man suffered from throat cancer and subsequently died on December 2 of that year. As a fitting obituary for the man, within the three decades of his career in Hong Kong, he established a training system for Wing Chun and Wing Tsun that eventually spread across the world

Wing Chun - Chi Sao

In Cantonese, Chi Sao means sticky hands. This is one of the most important exercises in the Wing Chun system. Without Chi Sao, forms and drills are useless. Forms and drills are the soul of Wing Chun while Chi Sao is the heart of the system.

Chi Sao does not only prepare you for the fight. It also teaches you how to deal with stress, teaching you how to respond by panicking healthily, to react without thinking, and yet still be accurate and quick. Chi Sao combines hands and legs, and increases the ability for multiple, simultaneous activities as well as improving fitness, health, coordination, balance and developing the counterattack reaction - the 'automatic pilot.'

By practicing Chi Sao, you learn how to use your body effectively. When you have been hit, you know that you have made a mistake - Primarily, the objective is not to look for the hit, but to ensure that you do not get hit.

This is practised in Chi Sao by teaching your body to move fast, get out of the danger and then counterattack effectively, without thought being involved. By doing this, Chi Sao is the perfect preparation for the fight.

However, Chi Sao is not only aimed at fighting. It also teaches you how to deal with all kinds of stress. Chi Sao helps you to understand how to use your body naturally, effectively and bring out your intelligence.

The Wing Chun punch

Because of the emphasis on the center line, the vertical fist straight punch is the most common strike in Wing Chun. However, the principle of simultaneous attack and defence suggests that all movements in the Siu Nim Tau with a forward execution flow into a strike if no effective resistance is met, without need for recomposure. Other explicit examples of punches can be found in the Chum Kiu and Bil Jee forms, articulating an uppercut and hook punch respectively.

The vertical punch is the most basic and fundamental in Wing Chun and is usually thrown with the elbow down and in front of the body. Depending on the lineage, the fist is held anywhere from vertical to horizontal (palm side up). The contact points also vary from the top two knuckles, to the middle two knuckles, to the bottom three knuckles. In some lineages of Wing Chun, the fist is swivelled at the wrist on point of impact so that the bottom three knuckles are thrust forward adding power to the punch while it is at maximum extension.

The punches may be thrown in quick succession in a 'straight blast' or 'chain punching'. When executed correctly, it can be used as a disorienting finisher but is often criticised for encouraging weaker punches that don't utilise the whole body.

Wing Chun favours the vertical punch for the following reasons:
Directness. The punch is not "loaded" by pulling the elbow behind the body. The punch travels straight towards the target from the guard position (hands are held in front of the chest).
Protection. The elbow is kept low to cover the front midsection of the body. It is more difficult for an opponent to execute an elbow lock/break when the elbow occupies this position. This aids in generating power by use of the entire body structure rather than only the arm to strike.
Strength and Impact. Wing Chun practitioners believe that because the elbow is behind the fist during the strike, it is thereby supported by the strength of the entire arm rather than just a swinging fist, and therefore has more impact. A common analogy is a baseball bat being swung at someone's head (a round-house punch), as opposed to the butt end of the bat being thrust forward into the opponent's face (wing chun punch), which would cause far more damage than a glancing hit and isn't as easy to evade. Many skilled practitioners pride themselves on being able to generate "short power" or large amount of power in a short space. A common demonstration of this is the "one-inch punch," a punch that starts only an inch away from the target yet delivers an explosive amount of force.
Alignment & Structure. Because of Wing Chun's usage of stance, the vertical punch is thus more suitable. The limb directly in front of the chest, elbow down, vertical nature of the punch allows a practitioner to absorb the rebound of the punch by directing it through the elbows and into the stance. This is a desirable trait to a Wing Chun practitioner, where in contrast the rebound of a horizontal, elbow-out punch promotes torque in the puncher's body. This is because the limb and elbow are now directing rebound force outwards instead of inwards due to the positioning of the hinge-structured elbow. This aids in generating power by promoting use of the entire body structure rather than only the arm to strike. This can be easily demonstrated; hold your fist vertically, in front of you, your elbow pointing down, one foot behind the other. Make sure your elbow is in your centerline. Then ask a friend to push into your fist while you attempt to resist. You will feel the

Wing Chun - Efficiency

Wing Chun believes in using the least amount of required force in any fighting situation. It believes properly, correct timed position and movement can and should be used to defeat their opponent. This is achieved through balance, body structure and relaxation. The Chinese saying "4 taels to move 1000 catties" (referring to an old Chinese measurement system) is appropriate here in describing how a small amount of force, correctly applied, can deflect powerful attack.

Wing Chun uses deflection and counter-attack in the same motion or will intercept the opponent to nulify an attack, rather than blocking then attacking in two separate motions. Further on interception the punch can act as a block as a consequence of the structure and the position of the arm travelling along its triangular "power-line" pathway to the opponent's "Core". This means that the opponent's attack is automatically deflected by the arm-structure of the Wing Chun practitioner as the counter-punch is delivered.

The "structure" permits this deflection to occur is controlled through the correct focus of energy from the "core" to the "elbow". If the structure is not in place, the counter-attack/interception is likely to breakdown losing the "forwarding" power which may result in the deflection failing and allowing the attacking punch to make its target.

In addition to efficiency being understood as the "shortest distance to the opponent's core" (which relates specifically to the speed of attack/counter-attack), it is also important to understand the importance of energy efficiency within Wing Chun. A person using Wing Chun is said to be able to defeat a stronger person because they are able to use their structure effectively. Given this, it is essential in ensuring that the Wing Chun practitioner has a full understanding of structure which enables them to use the correct use of energy required - any deviation from there "structure" resulting in using muscles in the shoulders will cause injury to the practitioner and also result in fatigue very quickly. This deviation removes the Wing Chun practitioners advantage since their "structure" will no longer support the defence/attack and viceaversa. So the conclusion of the fight will be determined by the opponent with the stronger arms, shoulders and chin!

Wing Chun - Wooden dummy

Muk Yan Jong (木人樁; pinyin: mùrénzhuāng; Yale Cantonese: muk6 yan4 jong1; "wooden dummy")

The Muk Yan Jong form is performed against a "wooden dummy", a thick wooden post with three arms and a leg mounted on a slightly springy frame representing a stationary human opponent. Although representative of a human opponent, the dummy is not a physical representation of a human, but an energetic one. Wooden dummy practice aims to refine a practitioner's understanding of angles, positions, and footwork, and to develop full body power. It is here that the open hand forms are pieced together and understood as a whole.

Wing Chun - Relaxation

Softness (via relaxation) and performing techniques in a relaxed manner, is fundamental to Wing Chun.
*Tension reduces punching speed and power. Muscles act in pairs in opposition to each other (e.g. biceps and triceps). If the arm is tensed, maximum punching speed cannot be achieved as the biceps will be opposing the extension of the arm. In Wing Chun, the arm should be relaxed *before beginning the punching motion.
*Unnecessary muscle tension wastes energy and causes fatigue.
*Tense, stiff arms are less fluid and sensitive during trapping and chi sao.
*A tense, stiff limb provides an easy handle for an opponent to push or pull with, whereas a relaxed limb provides an opponent less to work with.
*A relaxed, but focused limb, affords the ability to feel "holes" or weaknesses in the opponents structure (See Sensitivity section). With the correct forwarding these "holes" grant a path into attack the opponent.
*Muscular struggle reduces a fight to who is stronger. Minimum brute strength in all movement becomes an equalizer in uneven strength confrontations. This is very much in the spirit of the tale of Ng Mui.

Wing Chun - Balance, Structure and Stance

 

Wing Chun practitioners believe that the person with body structure will win. A correct Wing Chun stance is like a piece of bamboo, firm but flexible, rooted but yielding. This structure is used to either deflect external forces or redirect them into the ground.

Balance is related to structure because a well-balanced body recovers quicker from stalled attacks and structure is maintained.

Wing Chun favours a high, narrow stance with the elbows kept close to the body. Within the stance, arms are positioned across the vitals of the centerline. Shifting or turning within a stance is carried out variantly on the heels, balls, or middle (K1 or Kidney 1 point) of the foot depending on lineage. All attacks and counter-attacks are initiated from this firm, stable base. Wing Chun rarely compromises structure for more powerful attacks because this is believed to create defensive openings which may be exploited.

Structure is viewed as important, not only for reasons of defence, but also for attack. When the practitioner is effectively 'rooted', or aligned so as to be braced against the ground, the force of the hit is believed to be far more devastating. Additionally, the practice of 'settling' one's opponent to brace them more effectively against the ground aids in delivering as much force as possible to them.

Wing Chun - The Origin of WING CHUN

The founder of the Wing Chun Kung Fu System, Miss Yim Wing Chun was a native of Canton [Kwangtung Province] in China. She was an intelligent and athletic young girl, upstanding and forthright. Her mother died soon after her betrothal to Leung Bok Chau, a salt merchant of Fukien. Her father, Yim Yee, was wrongfully accused of a crime and, rather than risk jail, they slipped away and finally settled down at the foot of Tai Leung Mountain near the border between Yunan and Szechuan provinces. There they earned a living by running a shop that sold bean curd.

During the reign of Emperor K'anghsi of the Ching Dynasty (1662-1722) Kung Fu became very strong in the Siu Lam [Shaolin] Monastery of Mt. Sung, in Honan Province. This aroused the fear of the Manchu government [a non-Chinese people from Manchuria in the North, who ruled China at that time], which sent troops to attack the Monastery. Although they were unsuccessful, a man named Chan Man Wai, a recently appointed civil servant seeking favor with the government, suggested a plan.

He plotted with Siu Lam monk Ma Ning Yee and others who were persuaded to betray their companions by setting fire to the monastery while soldiers attacked it from the outside. Siu Lam was burned down, and the monks and disciples scattered. Buddhist Abbess Ng Mui, Abbot Chi Shin, Abbot Pak Mei, Master Fung To Tak and Master Miu Hin escaped and went their separate ways.

Ng Mui took refuge in the White Crane Temple on Mt. Tai Leung [also known as Mt. Chai Har]. It was there she met Yim Yee and his daughter Wing Chun from whom she often bought bean curd on her way home from the market. At fifteen, with her hair bound up in the custom of those days to show she was of an age to marry, Wing Chun's beauty attracted the attention of a local bully. He tried to force Wing Chun to marry him, and his continuous threats became a source of worry to her and her father. Ng Mui learned of this and took pity on Wing Chun. She agreed to teach Wing Chun fighting techniques so she could protect herself. Wing Chun followed Ng Mui into the mountains, and began to learn Kung Fu. She trained night and day, until she mastered the techniques. Then she challenged the bully to a fight and beat him.

Ng Mui later traveled around the country, but before she left she told Wing Chun to strictly honor the Kung Fu traditions, to develop her Kung Fu after her marriage, and to help the people working to overthrow the Manchu government and restore the Ming Dynasty.

After her marriage Wing Chun taught Kung Fu to her husband Leung Bok Chau. He in turn passed these techniques on to Leung Lan Kwai. Leung Lan Kwai then passed them on to Wong Wah Bo. Wong Wah Bo was a member of an opera troupe on board a junk, known to Chinese as the Red Junk. Wong worked on the Red Junk with Leung Yee Tei. It so happened that Abbot Chi Shin, who fled from Siu Lam, had disguised himself as a cook and was then working on the Red Junk. Chi Shin taught the Six-and-a-half-point Long Pole techniques to Leung Yee Tei. Wong Wah Bo was close to Leung Yee Tei, and they shared what they knew about Kung Fu. Together they shared and improved their techniques, and thus the Six-and-a-half-point Long Pole was incorporated into Wing Chun Kung Fu. Leung Yee Tei passed his Kung Fu on to Leung Jan, a well known herbal Doctor in Fat Shan. Leung Jan grasped the innermost secrets of Wing Chun, attaining the highest level of proficiency. Many Kung Fu masters came to challenge him, but all were defeated. Leung Jan became very famous. Later he passed his Kung Fu on to Chan Wah Shan, who took me and my elder Kung Fu brothers, such as Ng Siu Lo, Ng Chung So, Chan Yu Min and Lui Yu Jai, as his students many decades ago.

It can thus be said that the Wing Chun System was passed on to us in a direct line of succession from its origin. I write this history of the Wing Chun System in respectful memory of my forerunners. I am eternally grateful to them for passing to me the skills I now possess. A man should always think of the source of the water as he drinks it; it is this shared feeling that keeps our Kung Fu brothers together.

Is this not the way to promote Kung Fu, and to project the image of our country?

Yip Man

Krabi Krabong

Krabi Krabong is Thai weapon Martial Art in Krabi Krabong have many The weapons techniques include training in these weapons

Many people wonder...Why so many weapons??
Well the answer is clear...In a fight, especially when you have more that one opponent, different "ranges" are used, also from different places.The King fights from the back of the Elephant. The high ranks they fight from the back of horses and the normal soldiers they fight on foot.This explains why the weapons are different.




Basic weapons and their application.

1.Krabi.
Is very similar to a sable. It is used to stab, is thin and sharp ,metallic and is a ground weapon;Normally used by high rank soldiers.

2.Krabong.
Is a wooden bar,made normally from Bamboo, It is 6 feet long. It is very easy to make one and very effective because of it's long range. Is normally a ground weapon and the people that used it are farmers that became soldiers.

3.Daab(Sword).
This is the more popular weapon in the history of Siam. Sometimes the warrior held two swords (One on each hand), this is call "Daab Song Muun" They can be used to stab or slash the opponent. Normally a ground weapon and is a little more curved and heavier than a "Krabi".

4.NGAO(Spear).
This weapon is to be used on Elephant-back or horse-back. Normally the King would use this weapon. There is an extensive variety of different spears. When the King was going to Battle on the sides of the Elephant he had different kinds of spears. The end of some look like a knife, others looks like a fork, and some like a sword.
Some are for slicing, some to trap the opponents weapon, and some for stabbing etc. The spears consist of a strong and long wood pole and with a sharp metal end. The form changes1 depending of what kind of spear you are talking about.

5.Mae Sun Sowks.
Is a ground level weapon ,made of hard wood or bone. They come in pairs, each one you wear iton the out side part of your forearm. The weapon is used to attack as well asto block .Because it is a close range weapon you can use it very well in close combat.

6.LOH(Round Shield).
This weapon normally is used to block but you can strike with the edges as well. It is big and round, and is made of metal or skin.

7.DUNG.(Long Shield)
This weapon is a different kind of shield, it is long and thing. It covers from the shoulder until your knee and is made of skin or metal and is "HEAVY"!!!

8.Kaen.(Medium Shield).
This shield is rectangular like DUNG, but is not very long. It adjust well on your forearm. Made from the same materials as the other shields.

Note:When we say that one weapon is to be used on the ground or on the horse and that only certain people use certain weapon,I mean... normally!! but in fact any person can used any weapon in any place.It's not any rule that says that you can or cannot. In a matter of fact the warriors were all well trained in each weapon not just in one.

JEET KUNE DO - Grand Master Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee (Traditional Chinese: 李小龍; Simplified Chinese: 李小龙; Pinyin: Lǐ Xiǎolóng; Cantonese Yale: Léih Síulùhng; November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973) was a Chinese American martial artist, philosopher, instructor, and martial arts actor widely regarded as one of the most influential martial artists of the twentieth century.

Bruce Lee is iconic for his presentation of Chinese martial arts to the non-Chinese world. Lee's films, especially his performance in the Hollywood-produced Enter the Dragon, elevated the traditional Hong Kong martial arts film to a new level of popularity and acclaim.

Bruce Lee's films sparked the first major surge of interest of Chinese martial arts in the West. The direction and tone of his films changed and influenced martial arts and martial arts films in Hong Kong, China, and the rest of the world. Lee became an iconic figure particularly to Chinese; as he portrayed Chinese national pride and Chinese nationalism in his movies.

Many see Lee as a model blueprint for acquiring a strong and efficient body, as well as developing a mastery of martial arts and hand to hand combat skills. Lee began the process of creating his own martial arts fighting system based on philosophy known as Jeet Kune Do. Bruce Lee's evaluation of traditional martial arts doctrines is nowadays seen by many as the first step into the modern style of mixed martial arts.

Bruce Lee studied the martial art style of Wing Chun as a student of sifu Yip Man in Hong Kong and was a movie star early on. Later, he studied other Chinese martial arts, as well as the sports of western boxing and fencing. The term Jeet Kune Do occurred in 1968 while Dan Inosanto and Bruce Lee were driving around in his car. The conversation involved western fencing and Lee commented that; "the most efficient means of countering in fencing was the stop-hit...When the the opponent attacks, you intercept his move with a thrust or hit of your own.." Lee then said "We should call our method the 'stop-hitting fist style;, or the 'intercepting fist style". Dan Inosanto then said; "What would that be in Chinese?" in which Lee replied "That would be Jeet Kune Do".

A relevant video source of Bruce Lee discussing his Jeet Kune Do actually appeared in the first episode of the television series Longstreet. The first episode was aptly titled "The Way of the Intercepting Fist". The episode was written specifically for Lee by his friend and long time supporter Stirling Silliphant.

JEET KUNE DO - The Branches

Although Bruce Lee officially closed his martial arts schools two years before his death, he allowed his instructors to teach privately. Since his death, Jeet Kune Do has split into different groups. There are two major branches:

The Original (or Jun Fan) JKD branch, whose main proponents are Taky Kimura, James Lee, Jerry Poteet, and Ted Wong; these groups principally teach just what Bruce Lee taught, and encourage the student to further develop his or her abilities according to Bruce Lee's teachings .



The JKD Concepts branch, whose main proponents are Dan Inosanto, and Larry Hartsell; these groups have continued to modify Jeet Kune Do, under the philosophy that it was never meant to be a static art but rather an ongoing evolution, and have incorporated elements from many other martial arts into the main fold of its teachings (most notably, grappling and Kali / Escrima material).


To understand the branches of JKD it is important to understand the difference between the two "types" of Jeet Kune Do:

A. JKD framework This type of JKD provides the guiding principles. Bruce Lee experimented with many styles and techniques to reach these conclusions. To Lee these principles were truisms. The JKD framework is not bound or confined by any styles or systems. This type of JKD is a process.
B. JKD Personal Systems This type of JKD utilizes the JKD framework along with any techniques from any other style or system to construct a "personal system". This approach utilizes a "building blocks" manner in which to construct a personalized system that is especially tailored to an individual. Lee believed that only an individual could determine for themselves what the usefulness of any technique should be. This type of JKD is thus a product.
Lee believed that this freedom of adoption was a distinguishing property from traditional martial arts.

There are many who confuse the JKD Framework with a JKD Personal System (IE. Bruce Lee's personal JKD) thinking them to be one and the same. The system that Bruce Lee personally expressed was his own personal JKD; tailored for himself. Before he could do this however he needed to first develop the "JKD Framework" process. Many of the systems that Bruce Lee studied were not to develop his "Personal JKD" but rather was used to gather the "principles" for incorporation in the JKD Framework approach. The uniqueness of JKD to Lee is that it was a "process" not a "product" and thus not a "style" but a system, concept, or approach. Traditional martial arts styles are essentially a product that is given to a student with little provisions for change. These traditional syles are usually fixed and not tailored for individuals. Bruce Lee claimed there were inherent problems with this approach and established a "Process" based system rather than a fixed style which a student could then utilize to make a "tailored" or "Personal" product of their own.

The two branches of JKD differ in what should be incorporated or offered within the "JKD Framework". The Original (or Jun Fan) JKD branch believes that the original principles before Bruce Lee died are all that is needed for the construction of personalized systems. The JKD Concepts branch believe that there are further principles that can be added to construct personalized systems. The value of each Branch can be determined by individual practitioners based on whatever merits they deem important.

JEET KUNE DO - Fighting Elements

Jeet Kune Do is a vehicle to self discovery. Bruce Lee once said that " JKD can't be owned, can't be organized, can't be taught and can't be sold. JKD is a PROCESS, not a product". When it comes to streetfighting we are simply looking for the truth. My truth may not be your truth and vice versa. The simple philosophy of JKD is to " Use what is useful, and Discard the rest". Jeet Kune Do is about moving from one range to another, from using elements of all styles, especially the styles that specialize in certain ranges. Adaptability is the key concept in Jeet Kune Do. You have to be able to adapt. That is the meaning of " Using no way as the way, and having no limitation as limitation." Any fighting elements used in the process are just stepping stones. There is no end product, only continual progress, change, and adapting. Certain fighting elements may be more conducive to power, others to speed and still others to sensitivity. Let's take a look at a few of the more then 26 fighting styles that are incorporated into Jeet Kune Do.


Western Boxing- A style that utilizes basically 4 punches. The jab, cross, hook, and uppercut. What makes this art so devastating is the different combinations that are utilized. Boxing also teaches endurance, footwork and how to absorb punishment.

Filipino Kali- Time Tested, combat proven and very dangerous is the best way to describe Kali. Destruction's, defanging the snake, angulation, high and low line working together are just a few of the concepts that kali contributes to the whole style. The training methods of eskrima, sinawali, panantuken, panajakman, and dumog (to name a few) are extremely combative in nature. The knife fighting is incomparable as a training method for developing empty hand attributes. It just plain makes you a better fighter and coordinates your weak and strong side faster then any other method. When you can deal with the speed and stealth of a blade winging at you at different angles, then a person throwing punches at you should be a cakewalk.

Wing Chun-Wing Chun training focuses on developing the proper body structure and posture so that the most powerful techniques may be delivered using the smallest amount of effort. The student learns to develop "soft power" which maximizes the delivery of power with the muscles relaxed. The upper body, remains relaxed at all times. All fighting is done in extremely close range using very soft but effective and strong techniques. Economy of techniques is stressed, so that there are no fancy, circular moves like those that exist in other systems. Because of its nature of using relaxed power rather than brute strength, Wing Chun is considered to be an ideal system for women and small-sized people.

Savate- From France incorporates fast and powerful kicks combined with English boxing, making it a rare European martial art and a unique western style of kickboxing. Savate emphasizes technical ability and control, rather than force. It has a rich history while being a superlative modern fighting sport.

Western Fencing- The main component that Bruce Lee based his Jeet Kune Do on. Interception of the Attack. He also utilized Footwork such as the Step and Slide for mobility, emphasis on timing, rhythm & cadence, and developed his 5 ways of attack which came directly from fencing such as Single Direct Attack - (Single Attack in fencing terminology) Attack by Combination - (Compound Attack in fencing terminology) Attack by Drawing - (Invitation / False Attack / Second Intention in fencing terminology) Progressive Indirect Attack - (Indirect Attack / Feint Indirect in fencing terminology) and Hand Immobilization Attack - (Attacks on the blade in fencing terminology)

Jujitsu- Jujitsu encompasses throws, locks, and striking techniques, with a strong emphasis on throws, locks, and defensive techniques. It is also characterized by in-fighting and close work. It is a circular, hard/soft, external style.

Muay Thai- A offensive martial art from Thailand nicknamed " The science of 8 limbs" because of its powerful, extensive use of the hands, feet, elbows, and knees. The basic offensive techniques in Muay Thai use fists, elbows, shins, feet, and knees to strike the opponent. To bind the opponent for both offensive and defensive purposes, small amounts of stand-up grappling are also used.

Silat- Used more extensively in modern day JKD, Silat which comes from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines has a wide variety of techniques utilizing kicking, hitting, tripping, sweeps, locks, takedowns, throws, strangles, and joint breaking. It's use of the bladed weapons can be closely compared with that of Filipino Kali.

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JEET KUNE DO - The Principles II

III. Learn the 4 ranges of combat

Kicking - Punching - Trapping - Grappling

Jeet Kune Do students train in each of these ranges equally. According to Lee, this range of training serves to differentiate JKD from other martial arts. Lee stated that most but not all traditional martial systems specialize in training at one or two ranges. Bruce Lee's theories have been especially influential and substantiated in the field of Mixed Martial Arts, as the MMA Phases of Combat are essentially the same concept as the JKD combat ranges. As a historical note the ranges in JKD have evolved over time. Initially the ranges were categorized as short or (close), medium, and long range. These terms proved ambiguous and eventually evolved into their more descriptive forms although there may still be others who prefer the three categories.

IV. Five Ways Of Attack

A. Single Angular Attack (SAA) and its converse Single Direct Attack (SDA).

B. Hand Immobilization Attack (HIA) and its counterpart Foot Immobilization attack, which make use of “trapping” to limit the opponent to function with that appendage.

C. Progressive Indirect Attack (PIA). Attacking one part of the opponent's body followed by attacking another part as a means of creating an opening.

D. Attack By Combinations (ABC). This is using multiple rapid attacks as a means of using volume of attack to overcoming the opponent.

E. Attack By Drawing (ABD). This is creating an opening with positioning as a means of counter attacking.

III. Learn the 4 ranges of combat

V. Three Parts of JKD

Jeet Kune Do practitioners believe that techniques should contain the following properties:

Efficiency - An attack that reaches its mark
Directness - Doing what comes naturally in a learned way.
Simplicity - Thinking in an uncomplicated manner; without ornamentation.

VI. Centerline

The center line refers to an imaginary line running down the center of one's body. The theory is to exploit, control and dominate your opponent's centerline. All attacks, defenses and footwork are designed to preserve your own center line and open your opponent's. Lee imported this theory into Jeet Kune Do from Wing Chun. This notion is closely related to maintaining control of the center squares in the strategic game Chess.

The three guidelines for centerline are:

The one who controls the center line will control the fight.
Protect and maintain your own centerline while you control and exploit your opponent's.
Control the center line by occupying it.

JEET KUNE DO - The Principles

The following are principles that Lee incorporated into Jeet Kune Do. He felt these were universal combat truths that were self evident and would lead to combat success if followed. The "Three Combat Ranges" in particular are what he felt were instrumental in becoming a "total" martial artist. This is also the principle most related to mixed martial arts. Bruce Lee's notes explain THREE RANGES OF COMBAT and can be found both in the Tao of Jeet Kune Do and Jeet Kune Do as edited by John Little. Bruce Lee students such as Ted Wong, Jerry Poteet and others teach THREE ranges of combat. Dan Inosanto has modified these into FOUR ranges of combat, and thus, it is a Jeet Kune Do Concepts addition.

JKD practitioners also subscribe to the notion that the best defense is a strong offense, hence the principle of "Intercepting". Lee believed that in order for an opponent to attack someone they had to move towards them. This provided an opportunity to "intercept" that attack or movement. The principal of interception covers more than just intercepting physical attacks. Lee believed that many non-verbals and telegraphs (subtle movements that an opponent is unaware of) could be perceived or "intercepted" and thus be used to one's advantage. The "5 Ways of Attack" are attacking categories that help Jeet Kune Do practitioners organize their fighting repertoire and comprise the offensive portion of JKD. The concepts of Stop hits & stop kicks and simultaneous parrying & punching were borrowed from western Fencing and comprise the defensive portion of JKD. These concepts were modified for unarmed combat and implemented into the JKD framework by Lee. These concepts also compliment the other principal of interception.



I. Be like water

Lee believed that martial systems should be as flexible as possible. He often used water as an analogy for describing why flexibility is a desired trait in martial arts. Water is infinitely flexible. It can be seen through, and yet at other times it can obscure things from sight. It can split and go around things, rejoining on the other side, or it can crash through things. It can erode the hardest rocks by gently lapping away at them or it can flow past the tiniest pebble. Lee believed that a martial system should have these attributes. JKD students reject traditional systems of training, fighting styles and the Confucian pedagogy used in traditional kung fu schools because of this lack of flexibility. JKD is claimed to be a dynamic concept that is forever changing, thus being extremely flexible. "Absorb what is useful; Disregard that which is useless" is an often quoted Bruce Lee maxim. JKD students are encouraged to study every form of combat possible. This is believed to expand one's knowledge of other fighting systems; to both add to one's arsenal as well as to know how to defend against such tactics.


II. Economy of motion

JKD students are told to waste no time or movement. When it comes to combat JKD practitioners believe the simplest things work best.

A. Stop hits & stop kicks

This means intercepting an opponent's attack with an attack of your own instead of a simple block. JKD practitioners believe that this is the most difficult defensive skill to develop. This strategy can be a feature of some traditional Chinese martial arts.

B. Simultaneous parrying & punching

When confronting an incoming attack; the attack is parried or deflected and a counter attack is delivered at the same time. Not as advanced as a stop hit but more effective than blocking and counter attacking in sequence. This is also practiced by some Chinese martial arts.

C. No high kicks

JKD practitioners believe they should target their kicks to their opponent's shins, knees, thighs, and mid section. These targets are the closest to the foot, provide more stability and are more difficult to defend against. However, as with all other JKD principles nothing is "written in stone". If a target of opportunity presents itself; even a target above the waist one could take advantage of the situation without feeling hampered by this principle.

JEET KUNE DO - The Definition of the Jeet Kune Do Symbol

Instead of opposing force by force, a JKD practitioner completes his opponent's movement by 'accepting' his flow of energy as he aims it, and defeats him by 'borrowing' his own force. In order to reconcile oneself to the changing movements of the opponent, a JKD practitioner should first of all understand the true meaning of Yin/Yang, the basic structure of JKD.


Yin Yang
The importance of the Yin Yang is to show that opposites occur in nature. In essence, they must occur, for without light how would we know what darkness is? These opposites are in constant interplay; meaning nothing is truly an independent entity.

The Arrows
The arrows emphasize that here is dynamic interplay between the opposites. Nature and we are constantly changing. We go from action to rest, or from pliable to firm, from being awake to being asleep.

The Writing
The Characters say ' Using no way as way, having no limitation as limitation'.

JEET KUNE DO

JKD has long since been known as the style of no style, but this term has been overused and to a great extent exaggerated to "allow" others to teach JKD without using actual Jeet Kune Do techniques under the guise of defining the art as anything you want to make it. The art, which was formed by Lee in various stages, was finally named in the late 60's. While continuing to deny that JKD was a "style" he began to show his system to the public with great skepticism from the martial arts community and various Chinese individual who found his teachings to be discourteous to tradition. While it is nothing in the martial arts for a founder of a martial art style to be young (most founders / grandmasters of famous Chinese and Japanese systems were in their 20's) Lee's instruction of non-Chinese had the elders in an uproar. He was a pioneer in many different aspects in the martial arts. One of his famous quotes was Jeet Kune Do is only a name so don't fuss over it, but if he gave so little importance to the name why would he want it on his grave marker. This act would certainly lead one to believe that this name was important, and that it had significant meaning to him and the style known as Jeet Kune Do.

The art of JKD is difficult for many to grasp if it is taught in a manner shrouded in mystery, as is the case in most situations. For this reason the World Jeet Kune Do Federation was formed to clear up the mess and allow each and every individual to practice and learn the real art, and to gain legitimate martial art rankings for their hard work and dedication. There have been many attempts to bring the styles instructors and associations together as one, none of which has ever succeeded. Today there are two basic JKD systems to choose from. The original JKD, and JKD concepts. The original JKD is as its name implies the core art as founded. The concepts rely on other arts in an attempt to improve Lee’s system. Neither is better than the other, only different.

The original art itself is a modification of Lee's first martial art style of Wing Chun Kung Fu. So many modifications in fact that it is very hard to see some of the similarities of the two systems. The blocks and hand manoeuvres such as grabbing, sticking, and energy techniques have their roots in Wing Chun but the finished product is pure JKD. JKD has had such an influence in the martial art word the even the core art of Wing Chun has adopted JKD sparring techniques. The second of the three arts in the core of original JKD is French Fencing. Who can deny the speed and agility in the art of fencing? The footwork is a combining and modifying of fencing, Wing Chun, boxing movements, placements and displacements. And the final art of Western or American Boxing for the Muhammad Ali hand manoeuvres and punches.

Muay Chaiya - Grand Master Preang

• Present Master of Muay Thai Chaiya

• Current Chairman of the Thai Martial Arts and Muay Chaiya Conservation Club , Muaythai Chaiya Foundation

Kru Preang was born on September 1, 1958 in the nearby province of Chanthaburi, Thailand. Since at an early age, he has developed a keen interest in martial arts / sports, especially in sports gun shooting. Widely acknowledged for his marksmanship, he was invited to join the Thailand SEA Games National Team, but had to deny the opportunity due to financial reasons.
He entered Bangkok to attend Ramkamhaeng University and joined the University’s Ancient Fighting Weapons Club, which was well known for its being a melting pot for such diverse weapons schools as

-Buddhai Sawan

-Padung Sith

-Pran Nok

-Athamat

-Naresuan

-Meed Sun Tong (Golden Dagger)

Post-graduation, Kru Preang continued to seek and learn from other masters. It was then he heard of Master Tong Chua Chaiya (TongLoh Ya Lae), foremost student of the late GrandMaster Ketr Sriyapai, through a close friend.

25 years has passed since Kru Preang became Kru Tong’s student. Given his prior skills in ancient fighting styles, Kru Tong decided to teach Kru Preang the ancient style of Chaiya Boxing.
During his last years, Kru Tong has been heard repeatedly mentioning Kru Preang as his foremost student and only one of the two students to be granted a verbal “teaching certificate”, the other being Kru Yong of the Chulalongkorn University Thai Martial Arts Club. Together Kru Tong and his teaching assistant, Kru Preang, spent 20 years trying to teach the art Muay Thai Chaiya.

Muay Chaiya - Grand Master Thong

Kru Thong Chuechaiya, the man who systemized Muay Chaiya. He studied under the late master, Ketr Sriyapai and master Timseng Tawisith. After Kru Thong's death, Kru Praeng inherited his work and founded the "Muay Thai Chaiya Foundation". From his words; "Muay Chaiya is never-ending. Don't let Muay Chaiya die with the master. Kru Thong used to teach that you can use other systems under certain circumstances. But remember, do not fail your art. Please remember."

Muay Chaiya - GrandMaster Ketr Sriyapai

GrandMaster Ketr was born on Novermber 9, 1902 in the southern province of Chumporn. Having started early training since 8 yrs. old, GrandMaster Ketr had a total of 12 boxing teachers:

• His Father - Phra Ya Wajee Satayarak – Provincial Ruler of Chaiya
• His Uncle – Kru Klad Sriyapai
• Muen Muay Mee Chue (his father’s student known for his victories in hemp-bound fist muay thai tournaments)
• Kru Klaub Intarat
• Kru Song
• Kru In Sakech
• Kru Duth
• Kru Sook
• Kru Wun
• M.J. Wibulsawasdi (of royal blood)
• Ajarn Kimseng Taweesith
• Ajarn Luang

GrandMaster served as the Lumpini Boxing Stadium Manager for many years and contributed regularly to Muay Thai Parithat column – educating the public about Muay Kad Chuak (hemp-bound fist Muay Thai). Unfortunately through time, these articles are lost, if not destroyed. Now have remake to Book. GrandMaster Ketr passed away due to heart failure on 13th November 1978 at the age of 76.

Muay chaiya - Getting into “Jod Muay” basic guard position

Jod Muay or Jod Mud have 3 step

Step 1: Stand straight, feet together, hands by the sides

Step 2: Spread feet approximately shoulder width apart, hands crossed in front of your face


Step 3: Take left foot 1 step forward parallel to right foot (at the back); body and feet turned 45 degrees. Raise the left fist to cover the point between your eyebrows (Unalom) and bring your fist forward (still at the same level) until it is approximately 12 inches in front of Unalom. (Keep elbows slightly tucked in). Station your right fist to cover the chin / Adam's apple and then bring it forward - your right fist should be about 3 inches from intersecting at the midpoint of your left forearm, but not touching. Right elbow comfortably held close to the body. Stay relaxed and loose.

Muay Chaiya - The Story behind the name “Yang Sam Khum”

Getting the Chaiya Master Stance correct is of the most importance. The Stance, from which one can defend or attack in any one of the infinite variations, derives its full name “Yang Sam Khum Klum Dan Yuk” (3 steps in 3 step paths covering the entire beast's territory) from Hindu religious references. Grandmaster Ketr Sriyapai explained it as follows:

the banquet of the gods was over, and all the guests parted. The king-god Pra Isuan, host of the banquet, noticed a beast with sun-red eyes still waiting by his side, waiting for Pra Isuan to leave first. Pra Isuan, impressed, by the beast's loyalty and good manners, granted the beast one wish. The beast grabbed its chance and asked for ownership of approx. 100 sq. mile of jungle area where if any form of living were to trespass, it (the beast) would have the right to eat the trespasser. Pra Isuan realized this meant trouble, but as king of the gods, he had no choice but to honor his word.

Time passed and the beast enjoyed its newfound passion immensely. It lure through magic spells, angels, humans, and even other demons into its territory and wasted no time in claiming its right to eating helpless victims. Pra Isuan, after having been plead for help, sent Pra Narai (another god) to set the situation right. Disguised as a young Brahm (Hindu priest), Pra Narai set foot into the beast's territory and pretended to be terrified upon seeing the beast, which, not sensing the powerful force within the young Brahm, set ready to enjoy its meal. The young Brahm said to the beast:

Brahm: “Please sir, I had no idea this was your territory. I only came to perform a common Hindu ceremonial practice, which consists of walking 3 steps while chanting. I realize I will die, but if so may I please perform the ceremony so that I may die a proud Hindu?"

The Beast not aware of being set up, and very much looking forward to its meal rushed the young Brahm to get it over. The young Brahm performed his ceremony – but instead of the human-Hindu ritual he claimed, it was in fact a magic spell of the gods that blew up his size gigantically and in 3 big steps, Pra Narai walked covering over the entire 100 sq. miles frightening the beast. Though trying to runaway and hide, the beast was squashed.

The Yang Sam Khum, which literally translates into “3 steps in 3 step paths”, refers to the ability to increase one's awareness, strength, and courage to the level that would frighten away even beasts. It is from this legend that Muay Thai derives its name for its unique footwork system - from which one can go in all directions safely without having to fear any attacks. Whether a fighter is skilled or not, one can judge clearly from his Yang Sam Khum.

Muaychaiya - How Muay Chaiya is different from Modern Thai Boxing ?

Muay Chaiya was created in the ancient battlefields, when warriors still fought using sharp weapons and, in the event of being disarmed,body parts.As such, it is based on time-tested techniques and principles that were aimed at

1) ending engagements in the swiftest and surest manner
2) using minimal energy
3) ensuring that the learnt practitioner was least, if at all, hurt.

That certainly is not the case in Modern Muay Thai where boxers can be seen “splashing water at each other” (a phrase used to describethe useless and painful exchange of kicks and punches to entertain the crowd) with the end result of potential traumatic body injuries. As the core principle of Muay Chaiya states; before you learn how to inflict pain on others, learn how to protect yourself.

The Muay Thai one sees today at the weekly Lumpini Boxing Stadium matches and a host of other celebrated kickboxing events is a far cry from the true noble art of Muay Thai. The true ancient art of Muay Thai encompasses the full range of striking, grappling (not simply clinching), throwing, breaking, and smashing – each with its own infinite variations. Unlike today, where one can prepare for 6-8 months at a local Muay Thai camp learning the basic blocks and kicks and then enter competition, true old-style Muay Thai practitioners had to go through at least 2-3 years of footwork and stance preparation before being accepted by as true student. The purpose is two-fold: 1) to test the student’s patience and diligence and 2) to ensure the student has fully grasped the ancient Muay Thai footwork, of which Modern Muay Thai’s has no resemblance, before moving on. It can be said that one’s skills can be judged solely by their footwork.

The footwork skills one attains from Muay Chaiya allows one to cope with an opponents force in any way one wishes – deflecting, parrying, neutralizing, pushing back, or just simply stepping away. However, the footwork is not the only gem of Muay Chaiya. All body weapons within the Muay Chaiya system are truly functional, simple, yet flexible enough that a skilled practitioner can apply an infinite number of variations. The grappling, throwing, locking, and smashing techniques are unlike those of other arts. A complete system in itself, Muay Chaiya allows its practitioners to change from striking to grappling to smashing seamlessly.

Muay Chaiya - Did Ancient Muay Thai Fighters cover their gloves with broken glass?

A lot of people have asked me whether Ancient Muay Thai Fighters, in an attempt to sharpen their body weapons, did in fact dip their gloves into a glue mixture of broken glass (as most would have seen in Van Damme Movies).

Before answering the question, I would first like to present the following set of facts for your consideration:

- The old time fighters’ gloves were made of soft, raw hemp which were bound in a special way as to create knots. The way in which the fists and arms were covered-bound with hemp differ in accordance to style and region and can be generally summarized as follows:

1. Northeast style: Bound from the fist all the way to the elbows.

2. North style, Central Plains: From the fists to mid-arm length.

3. South style (Chaiya): only the fist portion is covered.

This is a reflection of the kind of weapons and tactics that comprise each style.

- Old fighting rules dictate the use of only hemp to cover fists and no other, except for the sky axe which is a small religious ornament to protect each fighter. Smart fighters learned how to tie excess portions of hemp into knots as a means of turning their gloves into sharp weapons especially when sprayed with water hardens the hemp).

- A fighter’s hemp glove is considered an important asset as it contains the blood and skin of his opponents. Upon finishing, the hemp will be stored in a clean, dry place waiting for its next usage.

- Before each fight the referee requests each fighter to gently rub their fists against their cheeks as a sign that there is not hidden weapon.

- There is no requirement that a boxer must cover his fists. If they choose, they may fight bare knuckles.

Grandmaster Ketr Sriyapai (at age 72 yrs), himself, has also asked that during his trip to the province of Nakorn Pathom to meet with Kru Too Thaiprasert (78 yrs) (the younger brother of Kru Daeng Thai Prasert – the key representative of the Muay Korat style who was also bestowed the title of “Muen Chagad Cherng Chok” by the King Rama 5), the truth regarding gloves covered with broken glass. According to Kru Too, who is also a fighter in the Suan Kularb Days, he has never witnessed such act since he was involved with boxing.

While still alive, Ajarn Ketr was very concerned that this misunderstanding would lead outsiders to view Ancient Muay Thai as being barbarious.

If we also consider the backgrounds of these two masters:

Ajarn Ketr – Muay Chaiya of the South + Muay Pra Nakorn (he was also a long time student of Ajarn Kimeng Taweesith) Kru Too – Muay Korat Style of the Northeast

We can see their experiences already covers 3 of the 4 major styles of Ancient Muay Thai. It is therefore highly unlikely that the ancient boxers dipped their gloves in broken glass.

By Lamp-S

Muay Chaiya - Muay Thai Style Throw

Muay Thai-Style Throw

As earlier mentioned, Muay Thai is the Crowning glory of the martial arts. Our warrior ancestors ingeniously invented, devised and modified a complete apparatus of defence and offence, from fist, foot, knee and elbow to throw
The world recognizes judo as the foremost from throwing. This is not untrue, if we speak of a martial art which employs exclusively body throwing that is assumed as a defensive art.

The reason why throwing is not so popular among Thai boxers, in spite of the written tenets for using it do outsmart an attacker, is probably because Thai pugilism provides myriad and diverse options of winning a fight, which may be more viable, less energy-sapping and swifter. It is not that Thai expert boxers do know how to throw. They are able to should they wish.

Every throw in Thai boxing can be deadly and lethal if you use it correctly. That was why, unless driven beyond tolerance and humiliation, no one would choose to use it on a compatriot or a fellow human is being.

Muay Thai was invented by our ancestors, not as a means of self defence, but as a national defence Another person for whom I had the highest respect was Srithorn Sriyapai, who was Master Khet’s daughter. She used to tell her farther’s feats.
When the master was his sixties, he was teaching his pupils about several kinds of kicks.

At that time, a friend of his pupil who was a professional boxer with much fighting experience at the Rajadamnoen stadium found this old boxing teacher so in sufferable that he wanted to give that old man a lesson. He arrogantly approached and asked to aim a kick the old master, just to see how well the pugilist expert could withstand and solid shanks of a younger man.
The Master kindly obliged and offered himself to be kicked at will.
The assailant kicked hard and fast, with the kind of kick that would inflict the kind of injury you can only imagine on a sexagenarian if hit right directly and with full force.

Faster than Srithorn or anyone else could see, the old man threw his attacker and haughty kicker fell supine with his head hitting the floor hard. He mustered his strength to get up and dust himself off, composed himself and walked back to his seat, trying to give the impression that he was thinking “I can get by without any pain at all.” He had learned his lesson, though, and would never dare repeat a kick on the Master.

After a short while, Srithorn noticed he has bleeding from the ear. She took him to the hospital to treat the injury. Fortunately, he was saved before the condition could deteriorate and get complicated.In truth, this man’s injury was not the result of Master Khet’s uncivil act. It was his own obnoxious and malicious act of violence that had ended in such dire consequence.
If only he hand asked to test his kick in all modesty, like a pupil to the master, like a younger to an elder, with respect for seniority, he would have gained knowledge without injury.

The principle of Thai defensive art is based on reaction towards the attacking force, like the Buddhist maxim that says “Distress inflicted upon the other will come round to the perpetrator,” the idea of which is not far from English proverb, “As you sow, so shall you reap.”

Reaching up to hurl your shin at full force at the neck of a person who is bending low to take the kick is simply stupidity and an underestimation of your rival. As Master khet always taught his pupils, when you see a crouching tiger, don’t thing he’s afraid of you”

The person who was lowered himself to tempt the opponent into kicking his neck has neck has several ways of escaping the aimed foot.
For example, you can bend down to let the flying foot past over your head. Or you can lower yourself even lower and when the kick flies past your head, you can catch it with a hand while stretching up to full height. The kicker will lose his balance and fall backwards. The higher and the harder the kick, the more off balance he gets. He might even be flipped over and knock his head on the floor.

Or you can use the heel of your palm to counter the kicking leg above the knee. Suppose he kicks with the right shin toward you left side, you can receive it with the heel of you right palm while adjusting the body angle (provided you use a leading left guard), but you have to keep your left hand over your ear and your left arm close to the trunk, as a double precaution, in case it slips or is flung back.

When pressed above the knee, the kicking leg will disable. You have to move your left hand from ear and pass it under your opponent’s calf, lifting his leg to your shoulder, while thrusting forward and stretching all the way. At the same time, your right hand should pass over to rest on his neck. This move amounts to automatic pressing for throwing.

By this method, if the catcher does not let go but lets himself fall with the kicker, the kicker will lie underneath with the one being kicked on top. You can press your elbow on the bottom of his breastbone or in his midriff with your knee on his pubis. This is called throw and stack.

This is the same move the Chaiya boxer, Nai Plong Chamnongthong from Caokhun Vachisatyarak’s (Kham Sriyapai) Stable, used to defeat the Korat boxer, Nai Plong Prabsabok Muen Muay Mee Chue in the service of the Department of Recruited Deputies.

This move can also be altered with a slight adjustment of the angle to constitute a deadly throw and stack that can be fatal.
It can be used to counter kicks and fend off knees and was know among Master Khet’s Pupils as the arse-kissing move.

‘Orge abducting a damsel’ was another throw in Muay Thai. This was used to counter a direct jab. You dodge the punch by getting out of reach behind the arm of the hitter and then locking your arm with the jabbing arm, twisting you hip to take the weight while completing a throw as in a judo throw. When I was little, I often saw boxers using one of these throws but this move seems to have disappeared some time ago.

Current boxing only makes use of ‘ploughing’ which is a new tactic which emerged less than 10 years ago. When he saw a boxer holding on to an opponent’s leg, Master Khet call this move, ‘Luring a Tiger into Your Home.’
“A tiger lives in the jungle, son,” he would say, “if you drew him into your home, he would eat you up alive.”

As l learned from him, when you can hold up his legs in this manner, why you would want to plough him to make matters more difficult? You are not a buffalo and pushing him around the ring like that does not seem to inflict any damage on your opponent.

What you should do is to grip him tightly around his calves and kick up your leg at full force until you fall backwards on the floor with all your weight. And that will do this trick. Just imagine what will happen to the legs in your grip.
This throw is easy to use and most suitable for countering a jumping knee or floating knee which your opponent serves you like a delectable dish on a platter. Do not be afraid to chew on it.

If he hurls his right knee at you, receive it in your left palm, or push it away by tugging under the knee while stepping with your right foot and adjusting the angle, pushing under the chin or neck, not unlike the counter move for a kick.
The soaring hanuman who aimed to break the Elephant Erawan’s neck would be doomed the flip over backwards and fall flat on the floor, passing out on the spot, as if stuck by the piercing arrow of the defending Orge Indrajit on the elephant’s back.

Thai Always teach their kids: you must be powerful but unassuming, hide your blades in the sheath, and hide your claws like a tiger, don’t flaunt your tail like scorpion.

Accordingly, Thai-style throwing is subtly disguised. The fundamentals of Muay Thai throwing can be used even on a buffalo.
The Master once asked me:
‘Have you ever toppled a buffalo, son?
When I was little, I used to hang out in the paddy fields with my pals. To impress them I boasted.
“I’ll show you how to topple a buffalo.” No one believed I would be able to do this.

I approached it from the front, seizing both of its horns and twisting them to the right with full force. Feeling the pressure, it resisted and tried hard to twist back to the left.I then pushed it to the left with its own force. It crashed flat sideways and to the left, got up frightened and sped away. My pals said: “Khet, you have a helluva lot of strength.”

In fact, it was not my own strength, it was the buffalo’s. It actually toppled itself.”
This is the fundamental idea of Muay Thai. Small can topple big and the few can defeat the many.

Copy few parts From Siamese Boxing author by Vallabhis Sodprasert

Muay Chaiya - Birth of Pahuyuth and Ancient Muay Thai

Prior to the Sukhothai era, Thai civilization dated as far back as those of the Egyptians, Babylonians, and the Assyrians. They were established before the Buddhist era in a land called “Aay Loa Kingdom” one the river banks of Huang Ho and Yang Jue rivers, presently known as Schezuan, Hubei, Anhui, and Kiangsi in China. There were later defeated and had to continue migrating south to maintain their freedom.

Thais are known to be liberal and great warriors. They have always been an independent nation and have evidently fought to protect their right and loved ones. During those times, villagers along the Thai borders prepared themselves by engaging young men in physical activities like wrestling, boat race, and bull race.

For practice of self-defense, many generations of old masters continuously assembled and developed the fighting techniques passed on from their ancestors for thousands of years. They finally established a fighting system for Thais called “Ching Kom” and “Pan Lam”, both well-known.

Master Ketr Sriyapai (the author’s senior teacher) once said that “boxing means punching as taught by your teacher or fighting to survive”.

Thai boxing is “an art that has been developed by our ancestors as a national heritage to their children for thousands of years.” The genuine Thai boxing is best performed by Thais. Unfortunately, the Thai boxing we see today in rings is not the true Thai boxing.

By Kru Praeng (Amornkrit Pramuan)
Muay Thai Chaiya Boxing Foundation