5 Advanced Muay Thai Techniques to Take Your Skills to the Next Level

Whether you're training for competition or looking to sharpen your skills after months (or years) on the mats, it’s normal to hit a plateau. But with the right techniques and focused training, you can break through and reach new levels of precision, speed, and confidence. At Element Martial Arts Calgary, we help students go beyond the basics by mastering advanced techniques that develop timing, creativity, and control. 

If you’re ready to push yourself, here are five advanced Muay Thai techniques that can help you get there. 

1. Mastering the Switch Kick for Power and Speed 

The switch kick is a staple in advanced Muay Thai striking. It involves a quick step-switch of the feet that allows you to throw a powerful rear-leg kick using your lead leg. The beauty of this technique is its ability to confuse your opponent while generating strong momentum with minimal telegraphing. 

It takes practice to make your switch kick fluid, but once you’ve got it down, it can catch even experienced fighters off-guard. Focus on speed, balance, and hip rotation. At Element, we emphasize pad drills and partner work to help you build muscle memory and strike confidently without losing your stance. 

2. Developing Sharp Elbow Combinations 

Elbows are one of the most devastating tools in Muay Thai, especially at close range. But instead of using them as one-off strikes, experienced fighters learn how to blend elbows into flowing combinations—often after a clinch break, a missed kick, or while slipping punches. 

Upward elbows, horizontal elbows, and spinning elbows all have their place depending on timing and distance. Practicing them in a controlled environment, like with focus mitts or light sparring, helps you understand when and how to use each variation. Learning to use elbows safely and effectively also builds your confidence in tight situations. 

3. Perfecting the Clinch and Off Balancing Your Opponent 

The clinch is often where fights are won or lost, especially in traditional Muay Thai rules. While basic clinch control involves hand fighting and posture, advanced clinching requires learning how to off-balance, pivot, and throw your opponent without relying on brute force. 

By combining your core strength with subtle movements like foot sweeps and shoulder pulls, you can create openings for powerful knees or even drop your opponent to the ground. Our coaches in Calgary focus on body mechanics, grip fighting, and live clinch drills to help students become comfortable—and dominant—inside the clinch. 

4. Using Fakes and Feints to Set Traps 

Faking is the art of making your opponent believe you're going to strike, only to open them up for something else. It takes awareness and confidence, but once you learn to read reactions, you can set traps and control the pace of the fight. 

A simple example might be a fake low kick that makes your opponent drop their guard, followed by a high kick to the head. You can also fake with your eyes, shoulders, or footwork. At Element, we help students recognize patterns in sparring and use creative movement to keep their opponents guessing. 

5. Countering with Purpose and Patience 

Advanced Muay Thai isn't just about throwing more—it’s about knowing when to throw. Effective counters require patience, timing, and a calm mind. Rather than rushing in, advanced practitioners learn to draw attacks and respond with precision. 

One common example is checking a kick and immediately returning a body kick while your opponent is off balance. Another is slipping a jab and responding with a straight right or an elbow. These kinds of moments are built through hours of controlled sparring, pad work, and fight analysis. Our instructors help students build this awareness by focusing on drills that sharpen reflexes and decision-making under pressure. 

Small Changes Lead to Big Growth 

Improving in Muay Thai doesn’t happen overnight, but steady progress with the right guidance leads to breakthroughs. Whether trying to compete or simply wanting to feel more confident in your abilities, adding advanced techniques to your training can make the journey more rewarding. 

At Element Martial Arts Calgary, we support our students at every level—beginner to advanced—with coaching that’s practical, supportive, and rooted in real experience. Our focus isn’t just on techniques but also on helping you grow as a martial artist and as a person. 

Ready to take your Muay Thai to the next level? Book a trial class today and experience what it's like to train in a supportive and high-energy environment. If you have any questions or want to learn more about our programs, contact us—we're here to help.