Muaythai Judging: Fouls

By Tony Myers

Introduction International Competition
Fight Classifications Differences between associations
What techniques score? Fouls
How are fights actually scored? Decisions
Some common mistakes made when judging Muay Thai bouts, and how to avoid them Summary

It can be argued that the strict rules and regulations that now govern MuayThai can be traced back to the death of Jia Kaegkhmen at Lak Muang Arena in 1926. Jia died because no clear rules existed that allowed the referee to intervene when he clung to the ropes dying but refusing to give in 1. At that time international style boxing gloves were not the norm, fighters bound their hands with hemp rope (Kaad Chuek) and fought until one fighter gave up or was not able to continue. There were few rules; kicking, punching, kneeing, throwing, head butts, gouges and chokes were all freely used. Although Kaad Chuek fights continued after Jia's death, the introduction of international boxing gloves and the removal of the more dangerous techniques began with that tragedy. With the adoption of international style boxing gloves and timed rounds, out went head-butts (still legal in Burmese boxing), chokes, gouges and bites. Since this time, often as a result of safety concerns, other techniques have been phased out. For example, when the legendary kneeing specialist Diesel Noi competed in the 1980s, it was legal to knee the groin area. The knee to the groin was in fact his most effective weapon winning many fights with this technique. It is no longer legal to for a boxer to knee their opponent's testicles.


Fouls include:
    Throwing an opponent using the hip, shoulder or leg (as used in Judo)
    Wrestling, back or arm locks or any similar judo or wrestling hold
    Using trips and sweeps; it is legal to kick an opponent off their feet. A kick is considered to be an action that uses the top of the foot and/or front of the shin. It is possible to hook the foot and kick as long as the top of the foot and/or shin, and not the side of the foot, make contact with the opponent's leg.
    Grabbing the lower back, forcing an opponent's spine to hyperextend
    Grabbing the ropes to kick, knee or punch an opponent
    Deliberately using the ropes to defend or counter attack
    Using the ropes as a weapon, for example pushing an opponent's face across the ropes in an attempt to cut them
    Attempting to 'pile-drive' an opponent's head into the canvas
    Catching an opponent's kick and pushing an opponent for more than three steps without attempting to deliver an attacking technique
    Not fighting; this includes a fighter turning their back on an opponent, running away and dancing backwards away from an opponent
    Biting, eye gouging, spitting, or head butting.
    Deliberately falling on an opponent.
    Swearing or the use of abusive language during the match.
    Knocking out or injuring an opponent after the referee has ordered the match to stop for any reason.
    Deliberately striking the groin area (A boxer, who the referee considers to have been hit in the groin with force may request a 5 minute break before continuing the match. A boxer considered by the referee to be faking an injury from a groin kick would be asked to continue to fight and may receive a warning or a count)
    Any aggressive act by the boxer or seconds against the referee
    In amateur fights intentionally losing the mouth guard (gum shield)

On to How are fights actually scored?