Basic Muay Thai for Beginners: Clinch

Learning the clinch in Muay Thai is like learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in MMA. The only difference is that a fighter won’t get choked out or submitted in Muay Thai. A Muay Thai student can practice clinch work with an instructor or heavy bag, but it is best learned by sparring. Just be careful not to break your sparring partner’s ribs with a knee strike during training sessions.

As a basic, the Muay Thai clinch has two fighting range. The first range is where two fighters are tied, but with enough room to throw elbows, knees, hooks and uppercut. The second range, also called as smother range, is where either one or both fighters are locked in a tight hold. That said, throwing short-range knee strikes is the only viable move.

Nevertheless, it is imperative to become proficient with both ranges. A fighter must learn how to react to an opponent’s move without thinking. Though it sounds absurd, muscles have their own memory. That is why, with enough practice, your muscles will learn how to react without the need to reach your consciousness.

Check out the video below to learn the basic clinch control in Muay Thai.