Become Fighter
Arm and body ties: Muay Thai guide
Inside control, the swim and the underhook when the plum is closed off.
Against a strong opponent the plum is often unavailable. They pull their elbows in or fight your hands. Then you fight for ties: an inside bicep tie, a collar-and-elbow tie or a body lock.
The principle is to win the inside space. The fighter whose forearms are closest to the other's chest controls the angle. Use small steps, not strength, and keep your head on their shoulder so you are never in the knee line.
Key points
- Inside position wins. Your hands inside theirs, always.
- Swim one arm over the top to re-open the plum.
- An underhook plus a head tie gives you a strong half-clinch.
- Keep your head to one side of theirs, close and tucked.
- Step and turn the hips to pull them onto their toes.
- Release if you are stuck. A long stall costs you points.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Gripping with the arms only. Use the hips. Step and turn, do not just pull.
- Head in front of their chest. Place it on a shoulder. Centre-line heads get kneed.
- Holding the tie too long. Win a position, then strike or move. Stalling gets a break.
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Clinch fighting module of Muay Thai foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Clinch fighting
- Entering the clinch safely: Muay Thai guide
- Breaking the plum: Muay Thai guide
- Off-balancing and first dumps: Muay Thai guide
Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.