MUAY THAI KICKS
MUAY THAI KICKS
Since Muay Thai is a form of kickboxing then its obvious that kicks will be a technique we need to learn. It's incredible to see how powerful a kick can be from a muay thai fighter. The Muay Thai kick is often compared to a baseball bat.
The more we practice and get our techniques on point, the harder and faster our kicks can become. The fundamental kicks in Muay Thai we will look at are the (1) round house, (2) teep, (3) low, and (4) head.
ROUND HOUSE KICK
The round house kick in muay thai is aguably the most popular and powerful technique. The power from the kick is generated from the legs, rotation of the body, and the follow through. To get a powerful kick, you should practice the techniques.
Remember, this is the most fundamental strike in muay thai, so practice this and demonstrate your abilities.
How to Throw a Rear Round House Kick
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Tip: If on a heavy bag boxing aim for a target on the side of the bag, preferably around upper rib cage level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the same side of the kick you are throwing (right hand will hit both of the partners’ pads). The partner should hold the pad at about a 30 degree angle downwards to catch your kick.
Step Two:
Take a short step forwards and outwards – to the left - about 45 degrees.
Tip: This is the set-up and will be getting your feet and body into a powerful position.
Tip: This short step with open up your hips.
Step Three:
Tip: You’re going to want to rotate your whole body about 90 degrees counter clockwise from the start of the kick to the final impact position.
Tip: When you’re in your final impact position your body will be perpendicular to the target. So your right shoulder and right leg/knee should be in a straight line.
Do these next movements all at the same time (in one motion).
-
Swing your rear/right arm down.
-
Pivot on the ball of your lead/left foot counter clockwise about 15 degrees.
-
Follow with your rear/right leg by pushing your right foot off the floor with the ball of your foot.
-
Aim your shin into the target – and act as if your target is past the physical target. This will give you a lot more power in your kicks. This is kicking through your target.
Tip: Make sure to keep your lead/left hand blocking your face.
Tip: Pivot the lead/left foot harder for more power.
Tip: For additional power, twist the body and tighten your abs.
Step Four:
Once you reach the full extension, pull the leg back and return to the original stance position.
How to Throw a Lead Round House Kick
Tip: The motion is exactly the same as the rear round house kick, just make sure to move into proper positioning by switching feet placement in your stance.
Tip: Instead of your left foot in front of your right for a rear round house kick, you will now have your right foot in front and kicking with your left leg.
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Tip: If on a heavy bag boxing aim for a target on the side of the bag, preferably around upper rib cage level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the same side of the kick you are throwing (left shin will hit both of the partners’ pads). The partner should hold the pad at about a 30 degree angle downwards to catch your kick on the left side.
Step Two:
Take a longer step forwards and outwards with your right foot, somewhat changing stance foot positioning– to the right- about 45 degrees.
Tip: This is the set-up and will be getting your feet and body into a powerful position.
Tip: This step will open up your hips, and get you in proper positioning.
Step Three:
Tip: You’re going to want to rotate your whole body about 90 degrees clockwise from the start of the kick to the final impact position.
Tip: When you’re in your final impact position your body will be perpendicular to the target. So your left shoulder and left leg/knee should be in a straight line.
Do these next movements all at the same time (in one motion).
1. Swing your left arm down.
2. Pivot on the ball of your right foot counter clockwise about 15 degrees.
3. Follow with your left leg by pushing your left foot off the floor with the ball of your foot.
4. Aim your shin into the target – and act as if your target is past the physical target. This will give you a lot more power in your kicks. This is kicking through your target.
Tip: Make sure to keep your right hand blocking your face.
Tip: Pivot the right foot harder for more power.
Tip: For additional power, twist the body and tighten your abs.
Step Four:
Once you reach the full extension, pull the leg back and return to the original stance position.
MUAY THAI SCHOOL
KICKS
TEEP
The teep is used to disrupt an opponent from coming towards you, can cause the opponent to get off balance. The muay thaai teep can also be used like a jab, using the kick to set up a round house or a combination. Using the teep is a good way to gauge distance between you and your target.
The teep is a straight front kick towards the target, the leg is fully extended and you are using the ball of your foot at impact. Sometimes referred to as a front push kick.
How to Throw a Rear Teep
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Tip: If on a heavy bag boxing aim for a target on the front of the bag, preferably around upper ab level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, your partner will be wearing a belly pad, aim for the center of it.
Step Two:
Do these next movements all at the same time (in one motion).
-
Swing your rear/right arm down.
-
Lift your rear/right knee upwards about 90 degrees from your body.
-
Lean about 15 degrees backwards.
Step Three:
Once you are in this position, you will want to:
-
Thrust your hips forwards
-
Hit the target in front of you with the ball of your foot.
-
Keep on the ball of your lead foot as you throw the teep.
Tip: Make sure to keep your lead/left hand blocking your face.
Tip: Thrust your hips forwards to get the power behind the kick.
Step Four:
Once you reach the full extension, pull the leg back and return to the original stance position.
How to Throw a Lead Teep
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Tip: If on a heavy bag boxing aim for a target on the front of the bag, preferably around upper ab level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, your partner will be wearing a belly pad, aim for the center of it.
Step Two:
Do these next movements all at the same time (in one motion).
-
Swing your left arm down.
-
Lift your left knee upwards about 90 degrees from your body.
-
Lean about 15 degrees backwards.
Step Three:
Once you are in this position, you will want to:
-
Thrust your hips forwards
-
Hit the target in front of you with the ball of your foot.
-
Keep on the ball of your right/rear foot as you throw the teep.
Tip: Make sure to keep your rear/right hand blocking your face.
Tip: Thrust your hips forwards to get the power behind the kick.
Step Four:
Once you reach the full extension, pull the leg back and return to the original stance position.
LOW KICK
The low kick in muay thai is generally aimed at the lead thigh of the opponent. It is pretty similar to the body movement of the round house in terms of throwing it, but instead of aiming around the rib area, the low kick is aim, well, low.
How to Throw a Rear Low Kick
Tip: roughly the same body movement as the round house, just changing the target.
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Tip: If on a heavy bag, aim for a target on the side ofthe bag, preferably around thigh level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, your partner will be want to hold either a kickshield or use a single thai pad against the thigh.
Step Two:
Take a short step forwards and outwards – to the left - about 45 degrees.
Tip: This is the set-up and will be getting your feet and body into a powerful position.
Tip: This short step with open up your hips.
Step Three:
Tip: You’re going to want to rotate your whole body about 90 degrees counter clockwise from the start of the kick to the final impact position.
Tip: When you’re in your final impact position your body will be perpendicular to the target. So your right shoulder and right leg/knee should be in a straight line.
Do these next movements all at the same time (in one motion).
-
Swing your rear/right arm down.
-
Pivot on the ball of your lead/left foot counter clockwise about 15 degrees.
-
Follow with your rear/right leg by pushing your right foot off the floor with the ball of your foot.
-
Aim your shin into the target (the thigh level) – and act as if your target is past the physical target. This will give you a lot more power in your kicks. This is kicking through your target.
Tip: Make sure to keep your lead/left hand blocking your face.
Tip: Pivot the lead/left foot harder for more power.
Tip: For additional power, twist the body and tighten your abs.
Step Four:
Once you reach the full extension, pull the leg back and return to the original stance position.
How to Throw a Lead Low Kick
Tip: roughly the same body movement as the round house, just changing the target.
Tip: The motion is exactly the same as the rear low kick, just make sure to move into proper positioning by switching feet placement in your stance.
Tip: Instead of your left foot in front of your right for a rear low kick, you will now have your right foot in front and kicking with your left leg.
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Tip: If on a heavy bag, aim for a target on the side ofthe bag, preferably around thigh level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, your partner will be want to hold either a kickshield or use a single thai pad against the thigh.
Step Two:
Take a step forwards and to switch foot positioning- to the right - about 45 degrees.
Tip: This is the set-up and will be getting your feet and body into a powerful position.
Tip: This short step with open up your hips.
Step Three:
Tip: You’re going to want to rotate your whole body about 90 degrees clockwise from the start of the kick to the final impact position.
Tip: When you’re in your final impact position your body will be perpendicular to the target. So your right shoulder and right leg/knee should be in a straight line.
Do these next movements all at the same time (in one motion).
-
Swing your rear/right arm down.
-
Pivot on the ball of your lead/left foot counter clockwise about 15 degrees.
-
Follow with your rear/right leg by pushing your right foot off the floor with the ball of your foot.
-
Aim your shin into the target (the thigh level) – and act as if your target is past the physical target. This will give you a lot more power in your kicks. This is kicking through your target.
Tip: Make sure to keep your lead/left hand blocking your face.
Tip: Pivot the right foot harder for more power.
Tip: For additional power, twist the body and tighten your abs.
Step Four:
Once you reach the full extension, pull the leg back and return to the original stance position.
HEAD KICK
The head kick requires more flexibility than the other fundamental kicks in muay thai. The head kick is basically thrown the same was as a round house but aiming for head height instead of the body.
How to Throw a Rear Head Kick
Tip: roughly the same body movement as the round house, just changing the target.
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Tip: If on a heavy bag, aim for a target on the side oft he bag, at head level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, your partner will be want to hold the thai pads at head level.
Step Two:
Take a short step forwards and outwards – to the left - about 45 degrees.
Tip: This is the set-up and will be getting your feet and body into a powerful position.
Tip: This short step with open up your hips.
Step Three:
Tip: You’re going to want to rotate your whole body about 90 degrees counter clockwise from the start of the kick to the final impact position.
Tip: When you’re in your final impact position your body will be perpendicular to the target. So your right shoulder and right leg/knee should be in a straight line.
Do these next movements all at the same time (in one motion).
-
Swing your rear/right arm down.
-
Pivot on the ball of your lead/left foot counter clockwise about 15 degrees.
-
Follow with your rear/right leg by pushing your right foot off the floor with the ball of your foot.
-
Aim your shin into the target (the head level) – and act as if your target is past the physical target. This will give you a lot more power in your kicks. This is kicking through your target.
Tip: Make sure to keep your lead/left hand blocking your head/face.
Tip: Pivot the lead/left foot harder for more power.
Tip: For additional power, twist the body and tighten your abs.
Step Four:
Once you reach the full extension, pull the leg back and return to the original stance position.
How to Throw a Lead Head Kick
Tip: roughly the same body movement as the round house, just changing the target.
Tip: The motion is exactly the same as the rear head kick, just make sure to move into proper positioning by switching feet placement in your stance.
Tip: Instead of your left foot in front of your right for a rear head kick, you will now have your right foot in front and kicking with your left leg.
Step One:
Start in your stance, keeping your fists lightly clenched.
Tip: If on a heavy bag, aim for a target on the side ofthe bag, at head level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, your partner will be want to hold the thai pads at head level.
Step Two:
Take a step forwards and to switch foot positioning- to the right - about 45 degrees.
Tip: This is the set-up and will be getting your feet and body into a powerful position.
Tip: This short step with open up your hips.
Step Three:
Tip: You’re going to want to rotate your whole body about 90 degrees clockwise from the start of the kick to the final impact position.
Tip: When you’re in your final impact position your body will be perpendicular to the target. So your right shoulder and right leg/knee should be in a straight line.
Do these next movements all at the same time (in one motion).
-
Swing your rear/right arm down.
-
Pivot on the ball of your lead/left foot counter clockwise about 15 degrees.
-
Follow with your rear/right leg by pushing your right foot off the floor with the ball of your foot.
-
Aim your shin into the target (the head level) – and act as if your target is past the physical target. This will give you a lot more power in your kicks. This is kicking through your target.
Tip: Make sure to keep your lead/left hand blocking your face.
Tip: Pivot the right foot harder for more power.
Tip: For additional power, twist the body and tighten your abs.
Step Four:
Once you reach the full extension, pull the leg back and return to the original stance position.
MUAY THAI SCHOOL
KICKS
MUAY THAI SCHOOL
KICKS
MUAY THAI SCHOOL
KICKS
MUAY THAI SCHOOL
KICKS
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