Muay Thai Boran - (Krabi Krabong) Combative Weapons - (Last updated 2/6/10 )
A curriculum for weaponry that co-exists with Muay Thai Chaiya, is commonly known as Krabi-Krabong, or “sword (krabi) and staff (krabong)” which actually means the use of short and long weapons. They consist of two-hand swords, knife, long pole or staff, short staff, or elbow staff (mai-sork), as well as, all other old traditional Thai weapons, that one can not easily find a place to learn. This is a true combination of all the traditional Thai martial arts.

It is closely related to other Southeast Asian fighting styles such as Indon-Malay silat, Burmese banshay and the armed component of Cambodian kbachkun boraan and bokator. Unarmed krabi krabong makes use of kicks, pressure points, locks, holds, and throws. The royal bodyguard corps of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) are said to be highly trained experts of krabi krabong.

Krabi krabong had previously been used for warfare and was therefore probably developed by the ancient Siamese military. It may have been used in conjunction with muay boran but whether the two arts were developed independently or at the same time is uncertain. Archaeological findings and traditional dances bear testament to the myriad of weapons that were once used in Thailand. Some of them are no longer found in the country's martial arts today, such as the kris (dagger), hawk (spear), trisoon (trident), daab (straight sword), vajra and bow and arrow. These weapons, their design and even the traditional krabi krabong attire show evidence of Indian derivation combined with Chinese characteristics. South Indian scholars, holymen, settlers and traders were especially influential in the evolution of Thai culture and martial arts. The Tamil stick-fighting style of silambam was of particular importance to the history of numerous Southeast Asian fighting systems. During the colonial period, silambam became more common in Southeast Asia than in India where it was banned by the British rulers.[1]

The weapons of traditional Thailand can be divided into two groups or categories: the Major Weapons and the Minor Weapons. The major weapons are those which are widely known and practiced. The minor weapons are those lesser-known weapons for which a limited number of forms exist. In fact, with some of the weapons, practice is limited to weapons manipulations and one-step applications. The major weapons of Thailand are Bo, Sticks, Spear and Shield, Tonfa, Sword.

Below is a list of only some of the weapons that exist in the Thailand weapons range. Many Thais styles include these five major weapons in their training to some degree. Training with these five weapons helps to develop similar muscles as used in Muay Thai as well as hand-eye coordination and heightened reflexes. Many of the striking and blocking techniques practiced in everyday Muay Thai can be easily adapted to use when armed with these weapons, making the transition to training with these weapons relatively easy and most beneficial.

Below are a list of the weapons.

1. Staff Form
Youtube Link - Bo Form Video - (Offensive View, Defensive View)

Staff Form 3 & 4 (Solo & 2 Person Drill) Wildcat Form

Offensive Side
1. Step back kami, fighting stance (RFB) (BRS) Short pause.
2. Step through overhead strike, deep stance (RFF) (BLS)
3. Step back lower block, deep stance (RFB)
4. Step through side strike, horse stance (RFF) (BLS) Short pause.
5. Step through overhead strike, deep stance (LFF) (BRS)
6. Step back lower block, deep stance (LFB)
7. Step through side strike, horse stance (LFF) (BRS) Short pause.
8. Step through over head strike (tension), bear stance (RFF) (BLS)
9. Step through over head strike (tension), bear stance (LFF) (BRS)
10. Pivot side block (BRS)
11. Pivot back, overhead strike (BLS)
12. Side strike (BRS)
13. Step sideways deep stance (LFL), sweeping lower block (BLS)
14. Return to shoulder width stance.

Defensive Side
1. Shoulder width stance Short pause.
2. Step back overhead block, deep stance (LFB)
3. Step through groin strike, deep stance (LFF) (BRS)
4. Step back side block, horse stance (LFB) (BLS) Short pause.
5. Step back overhead block, deep stance (RFB)
6. Step through groin strike, deep stance (RFF) (BLS)
7. Step back side block, horse stance (RFB) (BRS) Short pause.
8. Step back block across (with tension), bear stance (LFB) (BLS)
9. Step back block across (with tension), bear stance (RFB) (BRS)
10. Step around with RF, centre jab (BRS)
11. Return to bear stance, overhead block
12. Side block (BRS)
13. Step sideways deep stance (LFL), sweeping lower block (BLS) Short pause.
14. Finish routine

Where:
(RFF) - Right foot forward (Current movement)
(RFB) - Right foot back (Current movement)
(LFF) - Left foot forward (Current movement)
(LFB) - Left foot back (Current movement)
(LFL) - Left foot Left (Current movement)
(BRS) - Bo right side (After movement)
(BLS) - Bo left side (After movement)

2. Truncheon
There is in principal only one kind of Tuifa although the shaft varies in shape from round to rectangular. History has also shown the butt ends to be pointed but this is extremely rare. There are only a few so called traditional kata for the tuifa, although many more basic, or training, kata have been developed in more recent times.

The weapon is used in pairs and is of wood, again red oak or white oak preferably in keeping with the Bo. The length of the weapon is also the same requirements as the Sai, about three centimeters past the elbow when gripped. The weight like the Bo is paramount to the efficient usage of the weapon. Too light and it lacks power in Kumite, too heavy and the techniques lack speed and become ponderous.

Good body movement like the Sai can make this weapon formidable, combining the speed it needs and generates along with the skillful footwork for evasion and attack. Although there are stories of rice millstone grinding implements and horses bridles etc. as being the origins of this weapon, these are merely coincidental. The weapons origins can clearly be traced back to China and be found in Indonesia and surrounding geographical locations. While the weapon may have been introduced into Okinawa via China (or elsewhere in southern Asia), it still does not rule out its use as a mill handle.

Youtube Link - Tonfa Form Video

Tonfa Form 3

3. Short Spear/ Machete & Shield Form
This weapon is the most glamorous of the Ryukyu system and exudes a feeling of history long gone. The usage however is more akin to a combination of Zulu fighting and European sword and small shield fighting. The Tembe (Shield) can be made of various material but is commonly found in vine or cane, metal, or for presentation, in turtle shell. The shield size is generally about 45 cm long and 38 cm wide. The Rochin (Short spear) is cut with the length of the shaft being the same distance as the forearm to the elbow if it is being held in the hand. The spearhead then protrudes from the shaft and can be found in many differing designs. In this school of thought, the Tinbe is used more to hide the Rochen than to defend against another blade..

The favored style has an expanded middle section before the point, which is twisted upon insertion to make the wound larger. The weight of the blade is critical for the spear usage, which is swiveled between the fingers to use both ends, smashing with the butt end and stabbing with the blade end. The techniques are circular to avoid too much direct contact on the shield and the short spear is predominantly used in an upward stabbing motion, piercing armor under the rib cage, armpits, and throat. The techniques of the Tembe-Rochin are unique to shield and spear usage.

Shield & Short Spear Form 3

4. Sword Form ( one or two)
Evidence suggests that swords have existed in Japan for its entire historical period. Short straight swords imported from China and Korea are among the earliest weapons found in sites around Japan. After 2000 B.C., when these swords first appeared, the Japanese began making their own. Around 700 A.D., Japanese swordsmiths forged the first of what are now considered the finest swords ever made. The kata below was developed by Kyoshi Raff Lanciana & Kyoshi Maurice Garnier of the Wildcats.

Youtube Link - Sword Form Video

Sword Form 3

5. Sticks Form (Eskrima, Arnis or Kali)
Due to the Spanish influence the Filipino Martial Arts came to be known as "Arnis de Mano" - derived from a Spanish word "arnes", meaning trappings or defensive armor. It also acquired namesakes such as "estokada", "estoque", "fraile", or simply "arnis". The word "eskrima" is derived from the Spanish word "esgrima", which means "a game between two combatants with the use of blunt instruments". The name of the stick which could be either rattan or a piece of hardwood used in "eskrima" is called either - "olisi", "baston" or "garote".

A most practical technique is the use of Nitanbo, or two short sticks. It is a method similar to the well known Philippine Escrima, or Arnis, and may even have come to Okinawa via the Philippines. Nitanbo are not considered common weapons in China, but they can be found in Southern White Crane systems, such as "Two Short Rods". In Nitanbo, an approximately 18 inch stave is held in each hand, with which to effect devastating combinations of circular, snapping and linear strikes.

Sticks Form 4 Two Person Partner Drill - 1 (Direct Thrust - Block & Thrust Defence)

1-6 Basic Strike

1. Move inside , strike to stick, check hand to
hand, back hand thrust.

2. Move to outside, stick to stick check hand to
hand, forehand thrust.

3. Move inside , strike to stick, check hand to
hand, back hand thrust.

4. Move to outside, stick to stick check hand to
hand (underneath hand for disarm), forehand thrust.

5 Move inside , strike to stick, check hand to
hand underneath stick hand, (left hand over right , stick facing down) back hand
thrust.

6. Move to outside, stick to stick check hand to
hand, (left hand over right , stick facing down) forehand thrust.

1-6 Basic Strike

1. Move inside , strike to stick, check hand to
hand, back hand slash and thrust.

2. Move to outside, stick to stick check hand to
hand, forehand slash and back hand thrust.

3. Move inside , strike to stick, check hand to
hand, back hand slash and thrust.

4. Move to outside, stick to stick check hand to
hand (underneath hand for disarm), forehand slash and back hand thrust.

5 Move inside , strike to stick, check hand to
hand underneath stick hand, (left hand over right , stick facing down) back hand slash and
thrust.

6. Move to outside, stick to stick check hand to
hand, (left hand over right , stick facing down) forehand slash and back hand thrust.

1-6 Basic Strike

1 Move inside , strike to stick, check hand to
hand, back hand horizontal waist strike, hit to
hand, then a back hand rolling/twirling head strike.

2 Move to outside, stick to stick check hand to
hand, horizontal waist strike, hit to hand, hand to hand, hit to head

3 Move inside , strike to stick, check hand to
hand, back hand horizontal head strike, hit to
hand, then a back hand rolling/twirling head
strike.

4 Move to outside, stick to stick check hand to
hand (underneath hand for disarm), horizontal head strike, hit to hand, hit to head. (Also a disarm).

5 Move inside , strike to stick, check hand to
hand, left hand underneath your stick hand, back hand horizontal head strike, hit to hand, then a back hand rolling/twirling head strike.

6. Move to outside, stick to stick check hand to
hand, horizontal head strike, hit to hand, check hand to hand, hit to head.

In the human body, the Trishula also represents the place where the three main nadis, or energy channels (ida, pingala and shushmana) meet at the brow. Shushmana, the central one, continues upward to the 7th chakra, or energy center, while the other two end at the brow, there the 6th chakra is located. The trisula's central point represents Shushmana, and that is why it is longer than the other two, representing ida and pingala.

Youtube Link - Trishula Form Video

Trishula Form 3