Muay Thai Boran - (Krabi Krabong) Combative Weapons - (Last updated 26/4/11 )
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 Thai 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

Drill 1 - (Staff Basics Stationary ) Click Here for Youtube Link

1. Slide hands
2. Downward strike , cross parry LR
3. Cloud strike horizontal LR
4. 3 strike  R side , R over head, switch hands L uppercut
5. Enveloping (disarm) counter clockwise, 
6. Thrust, tilt (pull back), R uppercut
7. Reverse figure 8
8. Forward figure 8

Bo Form 1 (Solo ) Click Here for YouTube link

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 ankle strike (BLS)
14. Return to shoulder width stance.

Defensive Side
1. Shoulder width stance Short pause.
2. Step back upper 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 upper 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 behind LF with RF, centre jab (pool cue jab) (BRS)
11. Return to bear stance, upper block
12. Side block (BRS)
13. Step sideways deep stance (LFL), sweeping lower ankle 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

1.Break shoulder width stance (open like Sai Hojo Undo), Step forward RF chest strike,
2.Step back LF lower block
3.Step forward RF upper block
4.Step forward LF forward side to side strike
5.Inplace figure 8 moves R then L
6.Step back LF lower block lifting LL landing with LF back
7.In place chest strike RH, hit up on 45 degrees, hit down on 45 degrees, downover head and up
8.Step back RF chest strike LH, under arm strike RHS, reverse temple strike, hit down on 45 degrees, downover head and up. Repeat on other side of body.

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 ( Single Edged Sword)
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.

Youtube Link - Sword Form Video

Sword Form

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.

Drill 1 (6 Basic Twirls All twirls are done alternating hands)

1. Over shoulder catching under arm pit (uppercut)
2. Overshoulder and catch behind and across back
3. Down behind and across back catch
4. Underarm catch, forward twirl alternating hands
5. Underarm catch, down behind across back
6. Underarm catch, across front body upward, downward twirl catch underarm.

Drill 2 (5 Basic Strike) Click Here for Youtube Link

1. Downward strike on 45
2. Upward strike on 45
3. Horizontal strike waist level
4. High & low strike
5. Low & high strike

Drill 3 (1-12 Basic Strike) Click Here for Youtube Link

1. Forehand to temple
2. Back hand to temple
3. Fore hand to elbow or shoulder
4. Back hand to elbow or shoulder
5.Thrust to stomach
6. Back hand thrust to stomach
7. Forehand to knee
8. Back hand to knee
9. Thrust to chest
10. Back hand to chest
11. Overhead
12. Back hand overhead

Stick Form 1 -Click Here for YouTube link

1. Hold stick in right hand and place on left side of chest with feet together and bow.
2. Shoulder width stance with a hand on each side of stick resting across thighs.
3. Step back left leg - (right leg forward fight stance) and have stick in right hand out in front at face height.
4. Double inside twirl moving stick towards left arm pit and catch in left hand while left hand is situated under left side of chest.(Right foot is stepping behind left leg and landing in cross over position situated behind left leg.)
5. Holding this stance, flick stick horizontally out in front at head height.
6. Step forward right foot, twirl on left side, Step forward left foot twirl on right side
7. Step forward right foot twirl on left side moving stick towards left arm pit and catch in left hand while left hand is situated under left side of chest. (Right foot is stepping behind left leg and landing in cross over position situated behind left leg.)
8. Holding this stance, flick stick horizontally out in front at head height.
9. Step forward right foot & uppercut right to left, then left to right. Step forward left foot & uppercut right to left then left to right.
10. Turning 180 deg -Pivot and turn facing right side and dragging butt of stick through the turn at head height.
    Twirl stick out in front and hold still out at head height.
11. Twirl stick on left side while stepping back, catching stick in left hand situated under left side of chest while right foot rest behind left foot in a cross over position. Holding this stance, flick stick horizontally out in front at head height.
12. Step forward right foot twirl on left side, Step forward left foot twirl on right side
13. Step forward right foot twirl on left side moving stick towards left arm pit and catch in left hand while left hand is situated under left side of chest.(Right foot is stepping behind left leg and landing in cross over position situated behind left leg.)
    Holding this stance, flick stick horizontally out in front at head height.
14. Step forward right foot and twirl on left side, Step forward left foot and twirl on right side
15. Turning 180 deg -Pivot and turn facing right side, raising right leg for a right leg check, dragging butt of stick through the turn at head height
    Now facing original side to begin with, the right leg check is still poised mid air while the stick is held up at head height, this time pointing downward supported by the left hand also. This is a face blocking position.
16. Land the right leg forward and do one figure 8 twirl landing stick in front at head height.
17. Twirl stick on left side while stepping back, catching stick in left hand situated under left side of chest while right foot rest behind left foot in a cross over position. Holding this stance, flick stick horizontally out in front at head height.
18. Feet still in the above stance – complete 2 fan strikes to the head starting off right to left then left to right.
19. Step forward right leg into right leg forward fight stance and do head height pull slash across face, (right to left) Then a knee height slash(left to right)
20. Figure 8 twirl and catch under right arm pit while moving into shoulder width stance. Right hand rest the stick across chest rest(r –hand near left armpit) and left hand reaches over to right side (near right arm pit) and grabs stick
    
21. left hand takes stick behind back and right hand grabs it and whips it round and upwards into left hand.
22. You are now in shoulder width position.   Cover.

4. Sword Form (One in Each Hand)

Youtube Link - Sword Form Video

Sword Form

7. Trishula / Trident Spear (Sai) Form
The trishula symbolism is polyvalent and rich. The trishula may also be mounted on a danda or staff. The trishula is wielded by the Hindu God Shiva and is said to have been used to sever the original head of Ganesha. The three points have various meanings and significance, and, common to Hindu religon, have many stories behind them. They are commonly said to represent various trinities--creation, maintenance and destruction, past, present and future, the three gunas. When looked upon as a weapon of Shiva, the trishula is said to destroy the three worlds : the physical world, the world of the forefathers (representing culture drawn from the past) and the world of the mind (representing the processes of sensing and acting). The three worlds are supposed to be destroyed by Shiva into a single non-dual plane of existence, that is bliss alone.

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.

Drill 1 - (45 Degree Angles) Click Here for Youtube Link

1. Shoulder width stance from chamber bring to under arm pit,
2. disarm,(enveloping ) 
3. thrust, tilt,
4. uppercut , hand to end of staff

turn pivot on feet to back RHS,

Drill 2 - (Flow Drill forward and Backward) Click Here for Youtube Link

1. forward figure 8 x 4
2. 1 extra circle step LFF strike down low,
3. uppercuts figure 8 x 4
4. turn to rear 1 more circle
5. arch back hook RL staff above head
6. step back into drop stance hit floor
7. slide stick forward thrust to back LH corner, tilt
8. face front finish 

Spear Form 1 - (Staff Combination Level 1-4 steps Horizontally)Click Here for Youtube Link

Salute
Attention
Ready – left hand under RH right hand straight up

1. riding stance
2. horizontal striker
3. step and stamp forward stance over head strike
4. step up change over with hands upper cut turn to other side repeat.

Spear Form 2 - (Staff Combination level 2 - 4 steps each side Horiziontally) Click Here for Youtube Link

Salute
Attention

1. Facing left
2. Chamber RH, RHS , step RFF RH single uppercut
3. Knee lift block forward stance thrust LFF
4. Standing tall reverse figure 8, heel kick RL land RFF  thrust
5. Repeat pivot on feet
6. Chamber RH, RHS , step RFF RH single uppercut
7. Knee lift block forward stance thrust LFF
8. Standing tall reverse figure 8, heel kick RL land RFF  thrust
9. Step up with LF into RF attention stance finish.