As practitioners of Muay Thai, we often see our feeds focusing on combinations, developing power, and speed. However, what’s not talked about in-depth is the art of defense – an aspect just as crucial, yet highly underrated and under appreciated. Let’s debunk some of these misguided beliefs.

1. Myth: Defense is Less Important than Offense 

It’s hard to believe in your offense if you’re not confident enough to comfortably stand in front of your training partner during sparring, or your opponent in a fight. You’ll be hesitant at best, or overaggressive at worst, leaving yourself open to big shots in both situations. Your ability to stay relaxed, keeping muscles loose and firing like a whip, depends on your composure. And that composure is directly connected to your defensive skills.

2. Myth: Defense is Just Blocking 

Blocking strikes is an important piece of the puzzle in Muay Thai defense. There are slips, pulls, controls, footwork, feints, and so much more to consider.

3. Myth: Keeping My Hands Up Keeps Me Safe 

Ever seen someone get knocked out with their hands up? There’s ample evidence that defensive abilities and awareness depend on more than just having a tight guard. However, I do recommend learning to maintain a good guard, especially in the beginning - and ESPECIALLY if you’re not a fighter with exceptional speed, reaction, strong eyes, and experience.

4. Myth: Defensive Moves are Always Reactive 

Just like in life, being proactive often leads to success. In Muay Thai, proactive defense, such as maintaining distance and using feints, primes you for victory. It’s about dictating the pace, not just responding to it. You’ll be able to force mistakes and identify telegraphs, understanding when your opponent is in the right position to strike, and developing an intuitive feel for their intentions.

5. Myth: Clinching is Just an Offensive Technique 

The clinch in Muay Thai is often misunderstood as solely offensive. However, it’s frequently used to control your opponent, neutralize their weapons by closing distance, and off-balance them with well-timed sweeps, knees, elbows, pushes, and pulls.

6. Myth: Bigger, Stronger Fighters Have Better Defense 

Being big, strong, and fast is always helpful, but in fighting, the smaller and weaker, yet smarter fighter can pull off a victory. Look at Saenchai when he faces much larger, but less skilled opponents. He dominates them with pace, pressure, feints, and flow.

7. Myth: You Can’t Win Fights with Defense Alone 

Efficient defense allows you to spot openings for counterattacks. You’ll also be able to make your opponent throw more shots that miss or don’t land effectively, potentially exhausting them and making them an easier target to finish.

Understanding and mastering the art of defense in Muay Thai is worth every round you put into it. You want people watching you to say, “Wow, they are skilled,” instead of “Wow, they are tough.”

Coach Micah B.