{"id":4440,"date":"2023-09-28T13:36:35","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T13:36:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/?p=4440"},"modified":"2026-06-22T02:06:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T02:06:13","slug":"clinch-fighting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/clinch-fighting\/","title":{"rendered":"Clinch Fighting: A How to Guide For Muay Thai"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clinch fighting is a major aspect of Muay Thai. Fighters battle for position and control to set up devastating strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is a complete clinch fighting guide for beginners. We\u2019ll detail why this type of fighting is done, how it\u2019s practiced, and how to hold clinches properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Muay Thai Clinch Knees Highlight\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1SjHGevEoIA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Clinch Fighting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clinch fighting in Muay Thai is an aspect of Muay Thai where fighters fight for inside control. Fighters will tie up their opponent\u2019s arms and head to defend strikes while setting up strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything from strikes, <a href=\"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/muay-thai-sweeps\/\">sweeps<\/a>, and defense is performed within a clinch fight. It\u2019s an important part of the sport, which is why fighters spend hours a week practicing clinch fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do Other Martial Arts Use Clinch Fighting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clinching fighting isn\u2019t only performed in the art of Muay Thai. Various other martial arts use clinch fighting tactics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Amateur Wrestling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boxing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kickboxing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Judo&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BJJ<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No-Gi Jiu Jitsu<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How is Clnch Fighting Practiced?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Pot Clinching with Saenchai at Sinbi Muay Thai Camp\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OdOntAcyZPw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clinch fighting in Muay Thai is practiced similarly to how wrestling is practiced. Thai boxers will do rounds of technical drilling and live sparring.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In clinch fighting sparring, the fighters will fight for positioning to control their opponent to sweep them or land knees. For this type of clinch sparring, the fighters may add knees to the body or strikes to the head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is for the fighters to be mindful of getting injured and go months without earning money. That\u2019s why they keep a fighting pace with the movement and limit the types of strikes used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Basic Clinch Fighting Positions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"MUAY THAI: 6 Basic Muay Thai Clinch Positions | Evolve University\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3W5P0zZeRoI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clinching fighting comprises various clinching positions that all beginners must know. Here are detailed breakdowns of six basic clinch fighting positions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Double Collar Tie<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The double collar tie is the classic <a href=\"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/muay-thai-clinch\/\">Muay Thai clinching positio<\/a>n. In this clinching position, a fighter controls their opponent with two hands hooking the back of their opponent\u2019s head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To put on a good double collar tie, start by cupping your hands and hooking at the base of your opponent\u2019s head. Aim to hook your hand right where your opponent\u2019s head and neck connect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your other hand will cup on top of your primary hand to reinforce the clinch. From here, your goal will be to keep your elbows closed as you break your opponent\u2019s poster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aim to make your opponent\u2019s chin touch their chest to have full control of them. From here, fighters will drive <a href=\"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/muay-thai-knees-explained\/\">powerful knees<\/a> into their opponent or unleash a nasty elbow strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cross Face<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Muay Thai clinching fighting, there is a defensive clinching position called a cross face. It\u2019s similar to the cross face in <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wrestling\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">amateur wrestling<\/a>, but the Muay Thai version also defends against strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You must quickly react to an opponent\u2019s clinching attempt to get into the cross-face position. As the opponent comes in, you stiff-arm their chin with one hand and reinforce it with the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To successfully cross-face your opponent, you need to really palm their chin and push with force. This will ensure they don\u2019t get their clinch position and allow you to set up counters.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Clinch-Fighting-1.jpeg\" alt=\"Military Clinch Fighting\" class=\"wp-image-4503\" srcset=\"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Clinch-Fighting-1.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/muaythai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Clinch-Fighting-1-300x199.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Single Collar Tie&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You must know that the single-collar tie is a basic clinching position in Muay Thai. In this clinch fighting position, a fighter has one collar Thai on their opponent\u2019s head, with an inside arm tie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The arm doing the inside tie should be hooked above the opponent\u2019s bicep, with their head in tight. You should aim to keep your elbow closed to hold a good inside arm tie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Muay Thai, the purpose of this position is to block your opponent and open up inside attacks. Everything from elbows, knees, or sweeps are open in this position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Single Collar Tie w\/ Overhook<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another version of the single-collar tie is one with an overlook. One hand is hooking the opponent\u2019s head as the other arm has a deep over-hook over the other arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You must dominate your opponent\u2019s arm with a tight hook to put on a good overtook in Muay Thai. Aim to hook your bicep against your opponent\u2019s tricep and try to pull their shoulder down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This lets you compromise their fighting stance and open them up for different strikes or sweeps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Double Underhooks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Double underhooks are a great defensive position in clinch fighting. When a fighter\u2019s opponent comes in to grab a clinch, the fighter counters by getting double underhooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you grab double underhooks, hook your hands together and be sure to use them to lift your opponent up. Good double underhooks will give you full control over your opponent\u2019s arms. This position also allows you to set up powerful throws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Basics Clinch Fighting Techniques&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the clinch, there are various attacks you can use. Here are some of the most basic clinch fighting technique setups.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Clinch-Fighting-2.jpeg\" alt=\"Clinch Fighting lesson\" class=\"wp-image-4507\" srcset=\"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Clinch-Fighting-2.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/muaythai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Clinch-Fighting-2-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Elbow From Cross Face Position<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"TOP TIPS! | Best Ways To Land An Elbow Inside The Clinch | Muay Thai | Liam Harrison &amp; Guest Tutors\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/quRirbW1fhY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is a nice elbow strike setup you can do when your opponent has double collar ties. Counter their collar tie with a cross-face across their face\/neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your backhand can either reinforce your cross-face inside tie your opponent\u2019s other arm. With your cross-face, you can use it to push your opponent\u2019s head to make space and hit an elbow strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Double Under Dump<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Muay Thai Clinch Double Underhook Dump with Jo Nattuwat #shorts\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GAnTINzlSXM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dumping your opponent with double unders is among the most common Muay Thai throws. When you get double underhooks, remember to hug your opponent high and tight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your lead knee also needs to be positioned between your opponent\u2019s knees. Once you\u2019ve controlled the position, turn your opponent like a wheel and dump them to your chosen side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Exiting Knee or Roudhouse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Muay Thai Clinch Technique - Exiting With a Knee &amp; Roundhouse\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MIv_1IT5HsI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knees and roundhouse are common break attacks when exiting a clinch fighting position. You can even tie them together on the same technique when you\u2019re disengaging the clinch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From inside collar ties or single tie variation, throw a knee and break off the clinch by pushing your opponent\u2019s head. Push their head to guide them into a nice roundhouse kick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important Tips to Remember When Clinch Fighting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Dominate the Muay Thai Clinch with Petchboonchu\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SD2PvP-jVds?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you first begin practicing clinch fighting, there are important details you must remember. Here are some important tips to remember when clinch fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Inside Positioning: Controlling the inside of your opponent\u2019s arms is a major key to winning in clinch fighting. Getting inside positioning allows you to defend your opponent\u2019s attacks while simultaneously setting up your own attacks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Head Positioning: Remember to keep your head against your opponent\u2019s or, even better, under their chin. Don\u2019t give your opponent space to clinch your head or get off an elbow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Foot Positioning: Always remember your foot positioning before getting to a clinch fight. Your opponent will dominate the position if you don\u2019t have a strong and balanced stance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Break Posture: All offensive techniques in clinch fighting require breaking your opponent\u2019s posture or compromising their balance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be Aware of The Danger: Clinch positions are dangerous and can quickly go bad if you lose the positioning battle. This is why you must drill to improve your clinch game.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drill &amp; Spar: The only way to get good at clinch fighting is hours of drilling and live clinch wrestling. Only then will you develop a decent clinch game.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Final Word&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clinch fighting is a crucial part of Muay Thai that a practitioner must know.&nbsp; Not only to improve at the sport but to better defend yourself on the streets. <a href=\"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/muay-thai-techniques\/\">Drill the techniques<\/a> and remember the tips above to improve your clinch fighting skills.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Clinch fighting is a major aspect of Muay Thai. Fighter&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":209954,"featured_media":4510,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4440","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-techniques"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":4,"label":"Muay Thai Techniques"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/muaythai.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Clinch-Fighting-1024x536.jpg",1024,536,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Bobby Bradshaw","author_link":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/author\/bobby\/"},"comment_info":"","category_info":[{"term_id":4,"name":"Muay Thai Techniques","slug":"techniques","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":4,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":19,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":4,"category_count":19,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Muay Thai Techniques","category_nicename":"techniques","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4440","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/209954"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4440"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4440\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11985,"href":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4440\/revisions\/11985"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4440"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4440"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4440"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}