Basic muay thai combinations link punches to kicks, knees and elbows so each strike sets up the next. The five most beginner-friendly are jab, cross, body kick; teep, jab, cross; jab, cross, hook, low kick; jab, cross, knee; and jab, cross, elbow. Each one ends balanced and ready to reset.
I’ve trained seven martial arts over more than 20 years, including Muay Thai and boxing, and I’m a NASM-certified trainer with corrective exercise and performance credentials.
I’ve taught adult beginner boxing classes, though not Muay Thai, so this guide pairs the punching patterns I know well with the kick and knee basics a good Muay Thai gym teaches.
- Punches set up kicks. Hands draw attention high so the kick lands on the body or legs.
- Finish on the opposite side. Most good combos alternate left and right, which keeps your hips loaded for the next strike.
- End every combo in your stance. A combination isn’t finished until your guard is back up and your feet are set.
- Short and clean beats long and sloppy. Two or three strikes done well teach more than eight thrown in a rush.
- Drill slowly first. Shadow, then pads, then the heavy bag, adding speed only when form holds.
Jump to a sectionIn this article13 sections
- What Makes Muay Thai Combinations Different
- 5 Basic Muay Thai Combinations for Beginners
- How the Five Combos Compare
- Punch Kick Combinations: Form Cues
- Common Mistakes with Muay Thai Combos
- A Simple Muay Thai Combo Set
- Muay Thai Combinations on a Heavy Bag
- Muay Thai Combos on Pads
- Muay Thai Combo Numbers
- Is Muay Thai and BJJ a Good Combination?
- Your This-Week Plan
- Quick Questions
- The Bottom Line
What Makes Muay Thai Combinations Different
Boxing combinations use only punches. Muay Thai combos add the shins, knees and elbows, which changes how strikes connect. A punch can turn your hips into position for a kick, and a kick can bring your feet into range for a knee.
The two with the most research behind them.
Creatine + HMB
Creatine is the most studied performance supplement there is, and HMB is aimed at protecting the muscle you already built. Together they cover strength and recovery without the pre-workout jitters.
- Strength & power
- Supports lean muscle
- No stimulants
My honest review — contains affiliate links. 90-day money-back guarantee.
If you already know the boxing numbers, you have a head start. My guide to boxing combinations for beginners explains the 1 to 6 punch system many Muay Thai gyms borrow.
Kickboxing Combinations vs Muay Thai Combos
Kickboxing combinations look similar, but many kickboxing rule sets don’t allow elbows and limit the clinch, so knees and elbows show up less. Muay Thai combos often end with a knee or elbow when the range closes. For more on the sports themselves, see my comparison of boxing vs Muay Thai.
5 Basic Muay Thai Combinations for Beginners
All five are written for an orthodox stance (left foot forward). Mirror them if you’re southpaw.
1. Jab, Cross, Rear Body Kick
The classic. The jab and cross bring the other person’s guard up and turn your hips. As your cross lands, your right hip is already loaded, so the right round kick flows from it into the body. Step out slightly with your lead foot and pivot as you kick.
2. Teep, Jab, Cross
The lead teep kick pushes someone back or stops them stepping in. As the foot lands, step forward behind it with a jab and cross. This combo teaches you to use the kick to manage distance, then close it on your terms.
3. Jab, Cross, Hook, Rear Low Kick
Three punches that turn you left, right, left, and then a rear low kick to the outside of the thigh. The lead hook naturally loads your right hip, which makes the low kick feel almost automatic. Keep the kick low and chop slightly downward.
4. Jab, Cross, Rear Knee
When the range closes, a knee is the natural finish. After the cross, reach forward with both hands as if taking hold of someone’s shoulders, then drive the rear knee up into the bag or pad. In partner drills, the clinch and knees are taught and controlled by your coach.
5. Jab, Cross, Lead Elbow
At very close range, a horizontal elbow replaces the hook. After the cross, turn your lead hip and swing the lead elbow across at head height, keeping your hand relaxed near your ear. Elbows are thrown at pads or the bag, never at partners in beginner training.
How the Five Combos Compare
| Combo | Ends With | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Combo 1 | Body kick | Punches turn the hips so the kick follows naturally |
| Combo 2 | Cross | The teep controls distance before you step in |
| Combo 3 | Low kick | The hook loads the rear hip for a fast chop |
| Combo 4 | Knee | Closes range when someone is right in front of you |
| Combo 5 | Elbow | Short, powerful finish at very close range |
Notice that every combo alternates sides. That rhythm is what lets one strike feed the next instead of starting each one from scratch.
Punch Kick Combinations: Form Cues
Pivot on Every Kick
The standing foot turns so your heel points toward the target. Without it, your knee twists and the kick loses power. My guide on how to do a roundhouse kick breaks the pivot down step by step.
Keep the Non-Striking Hand Up
Your free hand guards your face on every punch, kick and knee. On kicks, the arm on the kicking side swings down for balance while the other stays high.
Breathe Out on Each Strike
A short, sharp exhale with every strike keeps your core braced and stops you holding your breath through a long combo.
Clean, dairy-free protein to hold muscle and recover faster after every workout. Prefer whey? I review that one too.
Read My Honest Review →Common Mistakes with Muay Thai Combos
These are the habits that slow most beginners down, and they show up in boxing classes too.
- Rushing the kick. If you kick before your cross has finished turning your hips, the kick comes out weak and off balance.
- Dropping the hands after punches. The moment before a kick is when the guard tends to fall.
- Leaning in on knees. Stay tall and pull the target down to you rather than folding forward.
- Forgetting to reset. Many beginners stand flat-footed after the last strike. Step back into your stance every time.
- Adding power too early. Speed and power come after the combo feels smooth at half pace.
A Simple Muay Thai Combo Set
Want a quick session? Run each of the five combos for one two-minute round, resting a minute between rounds. That’s about 20 minutes including a five-minute warm-up, and it touches every basic weapon.
Muay Thai Combinations on a Heavy Bag
The heavy bag is a great place to drill combos alone. Follow these steps for a beginner-friendly session.
- Wrap your hands and wear bag gloves. Kicks and knees land on the bag with the shin and knee, so start lightly.
- Warm up for five minutes. Jump rope, hip circles, leg swings and easy shadow punches.
- Shadow each combo first. Two slow reps per combo before touching the bag.
- Work at half power. Three rounds of two minutes, repeating one combo per round.
- Rest a minute between rounds. Use it to shake out your legs and check your breathing.
- Build contact gradually over weeks. That’s how shins adjust to kicking; hard objects and shortcuts only cause bruising.
Muay Thai Combos on Pads
Pads add a partner, which adds timing. The holder calls the combo, presents the right pad for each strike, and moves a little between combos. Both people agree on speed and power before starting, and kicks to pads are thrown with control so the holder’s arms aren’t jarred.
Pad work is usually where a coach first checks your form on all five combinations.
Muay Thai Combo Numbers
Some gyms extend the boxing numbers to kicks and knees, but there’s no single universal system. A coach might call 1, 2, kick or 1, 2, 3, low. Learn whatever your gym uses and don’t worry if it differs from videos you’ve seen.
Is Muay Thai and BJJ a Good Combination?
Yes, many people train both. Muay Thai covers striking and the clinch, and BJJ covers the ground, which is roughly the base of modern MMA. As a beginner, though, it’s smart to start with one art for a few months before adding a second.
Your This-Week Plan
- Day 1: Shadow combos 1 and 2 slowly, three rounds of two minutes.
- Day 3: Shadow combos 3, 4 and 5 slowly, focusing on the pivot and hand position.
- Day 5: Run all five on a bag at half power, or shadow them if you don’t have one.
- This weekend: Try a Muay Thai class and ask your coach to watch your form on pads.
Quick Questions
What Is the Best Muay Thai Combination for Beginners?
Jab, cross, rear body kick is the most common starting combo. It teaches you how punches turn the hips and set up a powerful kick.
Can I Practice Muay Thai Combos at Home?
Yes. Shadow them slowly in a cleared space. A heavy bag helps for contact, but clean shadow work builds the patterns first.
How Many Combos Should a Beginner Learn?
Three to five is plenty. Learn them well on shadow, pads and bag before adding more.
Should I Learn Boxing Combinations Before Muay Thai Combos?
It helps but is not required. Most Muay Thai gyms teach the jab, cross and hook early, so you learn both together.
More from this series: start with my martial arts for beginners guide, and if punches are new to you, read my guide to boxing combinations for beginners.
The Bottom Line
The best basic muay thai combinations are short and balanced: jab, cross, body kick; teep, jab, cross; jab, cross, hook, low kick; jab, cross, knee; and jab, cross, elbow. Drill them slowly, return to your stance every time, and let speed and power build over weeks.
For more on how Muay Thai fits into a weekly routine, see my guide to Muay Thai for fitness.
I’m a certified personal trainer and martial artist, not a physician or physical therapist, and this article is for general education. Striking and kicking place real load on the wrists, elbows, hips and knees. If you have joint problems, a recent injury, or another health concern, check with your doctor or physical therapist before starting Muay Thai training.
Practical, no-gimmick tips on healthy aging, hormones, fitness and nutrition.
- One email a week, no spam
- Real tips on aging, hormones, fitness and food
- Unsubscribe anytime
Free. I never share your email.
