Editing Muay Thai (section)

===Punching (''Muay Mat'')===
[[File:Muay Thai match in Bangkok, Thailand.jpg|right|thumb|Muay Thai match, Bangkok]]

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!English !! Thai !! [[Royal Thai General System of Transcription|Romanization]] !! [[help:IPA|IPA]]
|-
| '''[[Jab]]''' || หมัดหน้า/หมัดแย็บ || ''Mat na''/''Mat yaep'' || {{IPA|th|màt nâ|}}
|-
| '''[[Cross (boxing)|Cross]]/straight''' || หมัดตรง || ''Mat trong'' || {{IPA|th|màt troŋ|}}
|-
| '''[[Hook (boxing)|Hook]]/[[Swing (boxing)|swing]]''' || หมัดเหวี่ยงสั้น || ''Mat tawad/mat wiang san'' || {{IPA|th|màt wìəŋ sân|}}
|-
| '''[[Overhand (boxing)|Overhand]]/haymaker''' || หมัดเหวี่ยงยาว || ''Mat khork/mat wiang yao'' || {{IPA|th|màt wìəŋ jaːw|}}
|-
| '''[[Backfist]]/spinning backfist''' || หมัดเหวี่ยงกลับ || ''Mat wiang klap/Mat clap lang/Kwang jag narai'' || {{IPA|th|màt wìəŋ klàp|}}
|-
| '''[[Uppercut]]''' || หมัดเสย/หมัดสอยดาว|| ''Mat soei''/''Mat ngat'' || {{IPA|th|màt sɤ̌j|}}, {{IPA|th|màt sɔ̌j daːw|}}
|-
| '''[[Superman punch]]/cobra punch''' || กระโดดชก || ''Kradot chok'' || {{IPA|th|kradòːt tɕʰók|}}
|}

The punch techniques in Muay Thai were originally quite limited, being crosses and a long (or lazy) circular strike made with a straight (but not locked) arm and landing with the heel of the palm. Cross-fertilisation with Western boxing and Western martial arts mean the full range of western boxing punches are now used: lead jab, straight/cross, hook, uppercut, shovel and corkscrew punches and overhands, as well as hammer fists and back fists.

As a tactic, body punching is used less in Muay Thai than most other striking combat sports to avoid exposing the attacker's head to counter strikes from knees or elbows. To utilize the range of targeting points, in keeping with the centre line theory, the fighter can use either the Western or Thai stance which allows for either long range or short range attacks to be undertaken effectively without compromising guard.