If you're not familiar with the Thai Clinch, sometimes referred to as the Muay Thai Clinch or the Plum Blossom, you should be. The Thai Clinch is widely considered the most advantages clinch for a couple of reasons. First, by achieving the Thai Clinch you are controlling the suspect's head and where the head goes, the body follows. Secondly, you are in a dominant position to launch effective personal body strikes (especially knees to the abdomen and head) in preparation for a takedown and subsequent prone handcuffing.

What is the Thai Clinch?

The Thai Clinch originated from Muay Thai, the national sport of Thailand. In Muay Thai, fighters are permitted to use their fists, feet, knees and elbows to strike an opponent. Most Americans were not exposed to the Thai Clinch until the recent explosion in popularity of events like the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters have used this tactic with great success.

To execute a Thai Clinch, grab the back of the suspect's head with the palm of your hand and stack your second hand on top of the first. It's best to avoid interlacing your fingers. Doing so places you at risk of sustaining injury to your fingers and could hinder your ability to smoothly transition to another technique. Squeeze your elbows tightly together to form a cage around the suspect's head. Pull the suspect's head down to your chest. This can best be accomplished by jerking his head as opposed to simply pulling with steady pressure.

Clinch after collision

In a fight between equally aggressive opponents of similar size, there is likely to be a point where their bodies collide and they instinctively clinch. What transpires after this "human collision" can significantly impact the outcome of the encounter. To tilt the odds in your favor, strive to achieve the Thai Clinch as soon as possible. From there, respond immediately and aggressively with strikes to establish control of the suspect.

Flinch to clinch (defensive response)

A realistic method to overcome an onslaught of punches is to use your elbow(s) to cover your head, momentarily providing a degree of protection and hopefully damaging the suspect's hands in the process.

Rather than trying to block several punches individually, tuck your chin, shrug your shoulders, and place an elbow in front of your head either vertically or horizontally while closing distance with the suspect.