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Clinch basics

Muay Thai

Plum, arm control and posture in the Thai clinch.

What coaches agree on

  • Keep a tall, straight spine with your chin tucked and your neck engaged — don't let your back round or your head fall back — since a strong upright frame protects you and tires out anyone trying to break you down.
  • Win the hand-fight for 'inside' position first: frame your opponent's arm at the bicep or collarbone with your forearm rather than just grabbing with your hand, since inside frames are what let you control distance and avoid being swept.
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  • Square up in a balanced stance — feet turned out and a little wider than shoulder width, knees bent, hips pulled in close to your opponent — instead of your normal one-foot-forward fighting stance, since any gap is exactly the space a knee needs.
  • Treat the clinch as a constant push-and-pull rather than a static hold: apply real weight and pressure into your opponent and read theirs, matching, absorbing, or redirecting it instead of just bracing rigidly or going limp.