1. Starting Position (Muay Thai Guard/Ready Position)
- Foot Position:
Start in your Muay Thai stance, either in orthodox (left foot forward) or southpaw (right foot forward). Make sure your feet are about shoulder-width apart, balancing on the balls of your feet so you’re ready to move or attack. - Knees and Hips:
Keep your knees slightly bent for good mobility and balance. Your hips should be aligned with your upper body, allowing fluid movement and quick transitions. - Hands/Guard Position:
Keep your guard up, with the lead hand near your face for defense and the rear hand covering your head. Both hands should be close to your body to protect against strikes while preparing for the clinch.
2. Preparing for the Under Arm Clinch
- Positioning:
The Under Arm Clinch is a technique that destabilizes your opponent and sets you up for knee and elbow strikes. You need to control the opponent and bring them into a position where you can control them closely. - Timing:
The key to successfully executing the Under Arm Clinch is timing. It typically happens after an exchange of strikes when you are close enough to your opponent and can take control.
3. Executing the Under Arm Clinch (The First Grip)
- Step 1 – Closing the Distance:
To initiate the Under Arm Clinch, you need to quickly close the distance between you and your opponent. This can be done after landing a strike, defending, or stepping forward. Make sure your guard stays high to protect yourself while closing the distance. - Step 2 – Hands Positioning for Control:
Once you’re close enough, your hands will position to control the opponent.- The lead hand goes under the opponent’s arm, grabbing their upper arm or shoulder. This hand controls the upper body and prevents the opponent from turning or escaping.
- The rear hand will also go under the opponent’s arm and can grab their rear neck or waist. The hands should be in an underarm grip to secure the opponent tightly.
- Step 3 – Control the Opponent’s Head:
To destabilize your opponent further, pull their head downward or toward your shoulder with both hands. This forces them to lose their posture, creating space for your strikes.
4. Controlling the Under Arm Clinch
- Step 1 – Stabilizing the Wrists and Hips:
Control in the Under Arm Clinch depends on how tight you can grip the opponent. The wrists must hold firmly without loosening the grip. This ensures the opponent can’t escape or counterattack. Your hips should stay aligned with the opponent’s to help maintain control. - Step 2 – Movement and Positioning:
Keep your hips close to theirs, preventing them from moving backward or escaping. Your feet should be positioned in a slightly bent stance for better mobility, while keeping a steady hold on the opponent. Avoid leaning too far forward or stretching your body out, as this makes you vulnerable. - Step 3 – Knee Strikes:
Once in control, you can begin delivering knee strikes. The Under Arm Clinch is perfect for vertical knee attacks to the body or head. Use your hips and legs to power your knees. Pull the opponent into your knee strikes to increase the impact.
5. Footwork and Position in the Clinch
- Step 1 – Maintaining the Position:
After securing the Under Arm Clinch, you need to ensure your feet remain stable and aligned. Your feet should be slightly bent to allow movement if needed, while also providing a solid base to maintain control of the opponent. - Step 2 – Controlling Movement:
If the opponent tries to move or escape, adjust your position by realigning your hips and feet. Don’t stay in one place for too long to avoid leaving yourself open to a counter.
6. Offensive Techniques from the Under Arm Clinch
- Step 1 – Knee Strikes:
The primary strike from the Under Arm Clinch is the knee. Once you’ve controlled the opponent’s body and head, you can target vertical knees to the body, ribs, or head. Keep the opponent close to you and use your hips to drive the knee strikes quickly and with power. - Step 2 – Elbow Strikes:
If the opponent tries to move or break free, you can use elbows as an additional attack. With control over the opponent’s head, you can land horizontal, upward, or downward elbows to the face, neck, or upper body. - Step 3 – Sweeps and Takedowns:
The Under Arm Clinch also offers opportunities for sweeps or takedowns. If you’re able to destabilize the opponent, you can attempt to sweep one of their legs while maintaining control over their upper body, taking them to the ground.
7. Defensive Considerations in the Under Arm Clinch
- Step 1 – Protecting Against Counterattacks:
Even in the clinch, always be aware of your own defense. Avoid overextending your body or lowering your hands. Keep your head slightly away from the opponent’s to make it harder for them to land accurate strikes. - Step 2 – Mobility in the Clinch:
If the opponent tries to move, be prepared to adjust your position by realigning your hips and feet. Avoid staying static, as it could leave you vulnerable to counters.
8. Recovery and Follow-Up
- Step 1 – Regaining the Position:
If the Under Arm Clinch is broken or the opponent moves away, make sure to reestablish your position quickly. This could mean returning to the clinch or initiating a strike while the opponent is in a vulnerable position. - Step 2 – Transitioning to Other Clinch Positions:
From the Under Arm Clinch, you can transition into other clinch positions, such as the single collar or double collar clinch. Stay flexible and adjust your grips based on the opponent’s movements.
9. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak Grip:
A common mistake in the Under Arm Clinch is having a weak grip. If you don’t maintain a strong hold on the opponent, they can escape or counterattack. Ensure your grip is firm but flexible enough to control the opponent’s movement. - Poor Hip Alignment:
If your hips aren’t properly aligned with the opponent’s, you could lose control. Always keep your hips close to theirs to maintain a dominant position and prevent them from escaping. - Overextension:
Avoid overextending your body or becoming too stretched out in the clinch. This could leave you vulnerable to a counter or allow the opponent to break free.
By mastering the Under Arm Clinch, you gain a powerful tool for controlling your opponent, setting up strikes, and dominating in close-quarter exchanges in Muay Thai.