Become Fighter
Breaking the plum: Muay Thai guide
Getting out from under a double collar tie without panic.
Being plummed is the worst place to be in a Thai fight. Your head is bent and every knee scores. The answer is not to pull away. The answer is to stand tall early, then take space or take an arm.
There are three exits. Posture up and push the elbows out. Turn the corner by stepping and pivoting. Or take an inside position of your own with an underhook or a hand on the biceps. Practise slowly until the response is calm.
Key points
- Keep your own chin up and your spine long. Once the head is bent, you are late.
- Your elbows go inside their arms. Push them apart, do not pull the head back.
- Pivot a foot behind you to change the angle and make their knees miss.
- Rotate your head out of the tie as the arms open.
- Frame on a bicep or collarbone to create one arm of space.
- Exit with a strike, then step out of range.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Pulling the head straight back. That fights their strongest muscles. Open the elbows sideways instead.
- Dropping the hips. Sitting low bends your neck further. Hips forward, chin up.
- Exiting without a counter. Leave with a short elbow or push-off to stop them re-tying.
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
- Arm and body ties: 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.