“PUN LUM” (or “SPIRAL MOTION”) means delivering attacks in a continuous motion at the appropriate times and whenever there are opportune moments to do so. In other words, “PUN LUM” is delivering combos. For example… after we’ve successfully landed a punch in the face of our opponent, then we follow it up with more attacks. For instance… after we’ve punched the face of an opponent, we then position our shins, strike with our knees, swing our left elbows followed by our right ones. If we have a sufficient amount of knowledge & skill, then we can… inevitably… control the game of fighting or we can “PUN LUM” one time or deliver a single combo to gain victory. But, NOT if we’re still inexperienced or don’t have the right amount of skills! “PUN LUM” can as far as make fighting appear more fun & enjoyable in every way as well as energetic & lively.
How do we “PUN LUM” (or deliver combos) in a way that we can claim that we have Muay Thai skills?
We’ve already discussed about the importance of proper distancing with regards to the delivery of fighting techniques that should be clearly understood by the practitioner of Muay Thai. We should also take into consideration what is possible or not. And, the important thing is to maintain our own safety when we apply the concepts of “FOLLOW” (“DTID-DTAHM”) and “AGGRAVATE” (“SUM-DTERM”) which is also known as “PUN LUM” (or “SPIRAL MOTION”).
Practice Method The trainee should practice the basics and avoid complicated maneuvers. For instance… “TIM MUHD NAH” (“Chaiya JAB” or “POKING punch” or “STABBING punch” with the lead fist), “KRATAAK MUHD LUNG” (“Chaiya CROSS” or “STRIKING punch” with the rear fist), “YUHD KOW LUNG” (Punch with the REAR KNEE), “WIEANG KAANG LUNG” (Swing the REAR SHIN), “FAHD SUN KAAN” (WHIP the FOREARM; one should kick without dropping the hands in accordance with the Chaiya style of kicking). Practice until you have obtained a certain level of skill or mastery. Afterwards, practice more difficult combos such as… for example… “TIM MUHD NAH” (“Chaiya JAB” or “POKING punch” or “STABBING punch” with the lead fist), “YUHD KOW LUNG” (Punch with the REAR KNEE), “WIEANG SAWK” (“SWING ELBOW”), “JOOB SAWK” (“KISS ELBOW”), and “WIEANG KAANG LUNG” (SWING the REAR SHIN) for starters. We should practice slowly at first & gradually increase our speed over time until we can perform the moves much more quickly than before. When the trainee practices shadowboxing or works with a sandbag until a good level of expertise is obtained, the trainee should begin to practice with a partner (i.e. sparring). The next important thing is for us to do is to apply some thinking to go alongside our “PUN LUM” practice. We should understand “GKAH-LAH-TAY-SAH” or… for instance… when we’ve delivered the “WIEANG KAANG” (SWING SHIN) kick & our opponent was able to defend against it & they didn’t lose their balance or experience any pain of any kind, we should not react so hastily. Or… after we’ve delivered the “WIEANG KAANG” (SWING SHIN) kick and it simply bounces off our opponent, until the only thing that happens is that it bounces off of our opponent in a way that we could not use our elbow, we should… as a result… NOT use our elbow! We should change it from an elbow to a punch of any kind, for starters.
”PUN LUM” (or “SPIRAL MOTION”) is an important thing that the practitioner of Muay Thai must train until speed has been obtained and everything becomes automatic (or “second nature”). That “second nature” element comes from practicing repetitiously, again & again, day after day. It’s like when a child tries to speak, for instance. When the child tries to speak for the first time, the child still cannot do so in a clear and/or distinctive manner. Sometimes, it’s difficult to understand what the child is saying. However, the child… most likely… doesn’t get tired of uttering words & phrases. Time passes by as the child continues to speak. Days turn into months. Months turn into years until that very same child is able to talk, speak, and respond to others in a much more articulate sense of the word.
Therefore, I ask everyone who practices Muay Thai to have sincere faith in the things that are being practiced and to not become discouraged in any sort of way. As a result, you will be more than proud to be Thai. Next time, I will talk more about the “LUK MAI” (pronounced “LOOGK-MYE”) of Muay Thai. What is “MAA MAI” (pronounced “MAA-MYE”)? What is “LUK MAI” (pronounced “LOOGK-MYE”)? I will explain briefly about how we can use “LUK MAI” in a way that can be beneficial for you, the reader(s), in any given situation.
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