KRU LEK TEACHES MUAY CHAIYA CHAPTER 7

LUK MAI

……..The word “LUK MAI” can be defined in many ways depending upon the viewpoint or perspective of the individual. Some viewpoints define it as a “stratagem” or “trick”. For example, “Don’t make it a *LUK MAI* to some extent” -or- it can be defined as some of the handiwork performed by an artisan, craftsman, engineer, and/or specialist. They… for example… do many varieties of “LUK MAI”. But… from the Muay Thai viewpoint it means resolving a situation or scenario using specific actions which have been laid out beforehand. For instance… if we want to use the *LUK MAI* known as “DUB CH’WAHLAH” (or “Extinguish the Lantern”), then we have to trick the opponent by leaving our face open to attack. When the opponent has been fooled into throwing a punch, we can use “DUB CH’WAHLAH” (or “Extinguish the Lantern”). But, we have to time it right by practicing until we have obtained the proper speed. In the days of grandmaster KADE SRIYAPAI… he taught his disciples *LUK MAI*. One of his disciples asked him, “Teacher, will it really be fast enough?” The grandmaster replied, “Use both hands if you’re not fast enough.”

……..There are many different types of “LUK MAI” in Muay Thai. But, there aren’t as many existing ones that we actually want to practice and bring into use in a real life situation. The trainee should carefully consider the validity & practicality of each *LUK MAI* in a real life situation. If the trainee doesn’t take the time to think things through carefully, then the trainee will have wasted time needlessly.

……..Furthermore, when you decide which *LUK MAI* that you want to use, the easiest or best way to do that is to bait & lure the opponent by creating an opening for them to “fall” into. But, we must obtain a good estimate based on the observations made regarding which technique(s) our opponent likes to use. For example… if the opponent likes to deliver hook punches or round kicks, then you should make a note of whether they can perform the technique flawlessly or not. Ask yourself, “when is it suitable to use a certain *LUK MAI* in a given situation?” That’s not all, though. We must use only the *LUK MAI* that we’re most skilled at to the point where we’re able to do it in a clear & distinct manner. We must use those *LUK MAI* in the most accurate, correct, and precise way possible. We shouldn’t use any *LUK MAI* that we can’t perform flawlessly. We should only use *LUK MAI* that are practical and useful in a real life situation. Many individuals probably wonder about the practicality of each existing *LUK MAI*.

……..The *LUK MAI* of Muay Thai have all been thought out, tried, and tested by generations upon generations of Muay Thai’s earliest masters as well as grandmasters. We can note that the *LUK MAI* of Muay which are near flawless have good entry methods as well as exit strategies. Those particular *LUK MAI* can, inevitably, prepare us for certain situations and provide enough room for doing “PUN LUM” (combinations). A good *LUK MAI* of Muay Thai is able to deceive & lure the opponent into a trap. Furthermore, we can use the opportunity given to us when the opponent delivers an attack. The moment when the opponent attacks is also our moment to fight back & counterattack by using the element of surprise.

……..The *LUK MAI* of Muay Thai which are practical in real life situations are (as a matter of course) easy to read, but have a certain decisiveness regarding force. For example:

“TANE GWAHD LAHN” (or “Monk Follower Sweeps the Temple Courtyard”)

“BPUK LOOG TAWY” (or “Impale the Stake”)

“PRAH RAHM DERN DONG” (or “Rama Walks Into the Forest”)

“HOHK GLUB TUP BPAH-TAH-PEE” (or “Turn & Overlie the Earth”)

That is, the aforementioned *LUK MAI* has been used by every Thai boxer from the past up until the present day. The kinds of *LUK MAI* which are impractical or difficult to use in a real life situation include:

“KOHN KOW PRAH-SOO-MANE” (or “Bring down Mount Meru”)

“GOHN LING PLIEW” (or “Monkey Moves Gracefully Tactic”)

“LOHM TUB KAANG” (or “Fall Down & Overlie the Shin”)

“RUE-SEE HERN” (or “Ascetic Leaps”)

Or any kind of *LUK MAI* which requires climbing on top of the other person which have been used in shows & demonstrations. Those particular *LUK MAI* were primarily designed to enhance the beauty, grace, style and entertainment value of each action & posture as seen in “NAH-DTAH-SIN” (or traditional Thai performing arts).

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How Many Entry Methods (or Exit Strategies) Exist When A “LUK MAI” Is Being Executed?

……..There are only two entry methods (or exit strategies) that exist when a “LUK MAI” is being executed. The first entry method (or exit strategy) is called “S’LUB-FUN-BPLAH” (or “ZIGZAG”). The second entry method (or exit strategy) is called “BPAHK-SAH-WAAK-RUNG” (or “BIRD PEEPS THROUGH THE NEST”).

“ZIGZAG”

is moving out to the outer circle. For instance, the opponent takes a step forward in order to deliver a punch towards us. We take a step to the outer circle by bringing our left leg forward diagonally towards the right side of the opponent.

“BIRD PEEPS THROUGH THE NEST”

is moving into the inner circle. For instance, the opponent steps forward with the left leg in order to throw a left punch. We take a step forward with our leg in towards the middle of the opponent’s legs. “ZIGZAG” and “BIRD PEEPS THROUGH THE NEST” can assist in the delivery of attacks & counterattacks as well as allow us to bring forth a wide variety of *LUK MAI* of Muay Thai such as the ones I mentioned before and all.

……..There are still a wide variety of secret techniques & clever strategies contained within the execution of a *LUK MAI* including the use of deception as well as teasing the opponent. It’s really difficult to present all of it in writing. There’s only one best way to acquire that knowledge which would be to learn from the masters.

……..Next time, I will talk about the phrase “MAE MAI” (pronounced “MAA-MYE”) and the benefits of *MAE MAI* that come prior to the use of *LUK MAI*. I hope that you will continue to follow us along this journey.

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