what is the difference between Muay Thai and kickboxing?

[thachphan]

can you help me to answer this question???thanks

[moriniuk]

First of all the term kickboxing can cover many different formats and some people refer to Muay Thai as kickboxing.

Kickboxing can be little more than an aerobic workout or it can be a professional level, full contact ring sport.

In general there are no elbows, knees, low licks or clinching alowed in kickboxing. These techniques are all allowed under full Muay Thai rules.

Also in Muay Thai the fights are usually accompanied by traditional background music and the fighters perform a traditional wai kru and ram muay (respect to teacher / boxing dance) before the bout.

A professional Muay Thai fight is usually a slower pace than a professional kickboxing fight.

[bushido_man96]

In general there are no elbows, knees, low licks or clinching alowed in kickboxing. These techniques are all allowed under full Muay Thai rules.

I've heard of these rules referred to as "Western" Kickboxing in the past. I'm not sure if that terminology has set sail or not, but thats how I remembered it when I was younger.

[RW]

As far as I know, kickboxing started in the 70's and 80's as a combination between karate kicks and boxing punches. Something like this:

Then it kind of lost popularity and Muay Thai took its place. The Muay Thai they teach at many schools is simply kickboxing + elbows and knees and using the shins

[datguy]

Kickboxing as we know it is basically boxing with....well...kicks. Muay Thai incorporates punches, kicks, elbows, knees, and take downs. Muay Thai is often referred to as the "science of eight limbs" seeing as the have eight weapons to strike with as opposed to kick boxing's four weapons.

[Liver Punch]

Kickboxing in modern day can be summed up by looking at K1. It's essentially a shorter boxing match with kicks.

In Muay Thai, aside from knees, and elbows being legal, the clinch is both legal and used regularly.

[Lee M]

Agreed Kickboxing is a combination of Karate and Boxing.

Kickboxing employ side kicks.

Muay Thai don't but allow Knees & Elbows and low kicks within certain rules.