Home / Guides / Glossary / Muay Thai
Muay Thai Glossary
Muay Thai has its own vocabulary. If you're new — or just curious about what your coach is yelling — here's an A–Z reference.
- Ajarn
- A senior Muay Thai instructor or master. A term of respect.
- Block
- Defensive movement using the arms or shins to absorb a strike.
- Boran
- Ancestor art of Muay Thai — Muay Boran is the traditional, unrestricted form that predates modern rules.
- Catch
- Trapping a kick with your forearm or against your body to set up a counter (often a sweep).
- Check
- Lifting the knee and shin to block an incoming roundhouse kick.
- Clinch
- Close-range fighting with both arms wrapped around the opponent's head or neck. Unique to Muay Thai among striking arts.
- Cobra punch
- A long, jabbing straight punch thrown with a step. Modern coaching term.
- Cross
- A straight punch from the rear hand. The hardest punch in your arsenal.
- Cutting the angle
- Stepping diagonally to off-line your opponent and create a clean attack window.
- Diamond cutter
- A spinning elbow that lands with the back/sharp edge — devastating when timed.
- Elbow
- A close-range strike with the point of the elbow. Many variations: horizontal, downward, spinning, jumping.
- Five-rounder
- A full-rules Muay Thai bout of five 3-minute rounds.
- Forward pressure
- A fighting style built around walking the opponent down with constant attack threats.
- Gloves
- 10–16oz boxing gloves used for sparring, pad work, and bag work. Lighter gloves (8–10oz) are used in fights.
- Hook
- A horizontal punch thrown in a circular arc with the lead or rear hand.
- Jab
- A straight punch from the lead hand. Sets up every other strike.
- Jump knee
- A knee strike thrown while leaping toward the opponent — a power weapon at close-to-medium range.
- Kao loi
- A flying knee — one of the most dramatic finishing strikes in Thai boxing.
- Khao
- Thai word for knee. Khao trong is a straight knee; khao chiang is a diagonal knee.
- Knee
- A strike with the kneecap or the point above it. Devastating in the clinch and at close range.
- Long guard
- A defensive frame with one arm extended toward the opponent's face — used to manage distance.
- Mongkol
- A traditional headpiece worn into the ring during the wai khru. Spiritually significant in Thai tradition.
- Nak muay
- A practitioner of Muay Thai — literally "boxer."
- Pad work
- Drilling combinations on a coach holding Thai pads. The core training method of Muay Thai.
- Parry
- A short, defensive deflection of an incoming punch with the palm or wrist.
- Pra jiad
- Traditional armbands worn for good luck and to indicate experience.
- Push kick
- See teep.
- Question mark kick
- A faked low kick that turns into a high kick at the last instant.
- Roundhouse kick
- The signature Thai kick — a horizontal kick that whips through the target with the shin.
- Sak yant
- Traditional Thai tattoos believed to provide protection. Many Thai fighters have them.
- Shadowboxing
- Striking, moving, and defending against an imaginary opponent. Built into every class.
- Sok
- Thai word for elbow.
- Sparring
- Live practice with a partner at controlled intensity. Most Thai gyms spar at 30–50% power.
- Spinning back elbow
- A spinning strike landing with the point of the rear elbow. A clinch-breaker and counter.
- Stadium fight
- A professional Muay Thai bout at one of the major Thai stadiums (Lumpinee, Rajadamnern).
- Switch kick
- Switching your stance mid-step to throw a roundhouse from your normally-lead leg.
- Teep
- A push kick (front kick) thrown with the lead or rear leg — used to control distance and disrupt rhythm.
- Thai pads
- Heavy forearm pads worn by a coach to absorb strikes during drilling.
- Three-rounder
- A common amateur Muay Thai bout of three 3-minute rounds.
- Wai khru
- The pre-fight ritual dance honoring teachers and the art. Performed in the ring before professional bouts.
- Weave
- A defensive movement that ducks under an incoming hook by bending at the knees.
- Whip kick
- A loose-hipped roundhouse that snaps through with the foot rather than driving with the shin.
Related guides
Find Muay Thai gyms near you · What to expect at your first Muay Thai class · Best age to start Muay Thai