MUAY THAI KNEES
MUAY THAI KNEES
The knees are used mostly when in close range to a target or opponent. For our purposes we want to focus on the fundamental knees. Knees can be used while in the clinch (hold) or standing a short distance from your target. Knees in Muay Thai are another technique that are unique to this martial art. The knees we will look at will be the (1) straight, and (2) diagonal.
MUAY THAI SCHOOL
KNEES
STRAIGHT KNEE
Driving your knee straight forwards into the target is known as the straight knee in muay thai. This can be done from multiple positions in muay thai, including the clinch and stand up.
How to Throw a Rear Straight Knee
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, preferably around upper stomach area.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the opposite side of the knee (your right knee to the partners right pad)The partner should hold the pad at about a 30 degree angle downwards to catch your kne, and using the opposite hand/pad to help absorb the impact by pushing doown on right pad.
Step Two:
Take a short step forwards with your left foot and keep your weight on the ball of the foot.
Tip: This is the set-up and will be getting your feet and body into a powerful position.
Step Three:
Tip: Similar to the Teep you want to thrust your hips forward as you throw the knee.
Do these next movements all at the same time (in one motion).
-
Swing your rear/right arm down.
-
Step up on the ball of your lead/left foot.
-
Follow with your rear/right knee by pushing your right foot off the floor with the ball of your foot.
-
Aim your knee into the target – and act as if your target is past the physical target. This will give you a lot more power in your knees.
Tip: Make sure to keep your lead/left hand blocking your face.
Tip: Remember to thrust your hips forwards.
Tip: For additional power, tighten your abs.
Step Four:
Once you reach the full extension, pull the knee back and return to the original stance position.
How to Throw a Lead Straight Knee
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, preferably around upper stomach area.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the opposite side of the knee (your right knee to the partners right pad)The partner should hold the pad at about a 30 degree angle downwards to catch your kne, and using the opposite hand/pad to help absorb the impact by pushing doown on right pad.
Step Two:
Take a short step forwards with your left foot and keep your weight on the ball of the foot.
Tip: This is the set-up and will be getting your feet and body into a powerful position.
Step Three:
Tip: Similar to the Teep you want to thrust your hips forward as you throw the knee.
Do these next movements all at the same time (in one motion).
-
Swing your rear/right arm down.
-
Step up on the ball of your lead/left foot.
-
Follow with your rear/right knee by pushing your right foot off the floor with the ball of your foot.
-
Aim your knee into the target – and act as if your target is past the physical target. This will give you a lot more power in your knees.
Tip: Make sure to keep your lead/left hand blocking your face.
Tip: Remember to thrust your hips forwards.
Tip: For additional power, tighten your abs.
Step Four:
Once you reach the full extension, pull the knee back and return to the original stance position.
ROUND KNEE
Driving your knee towards the target in a similar motion to the roundhouse kick. The body moves in a similar motion but impacts with the knee. The round knees are used mostly when close to the target.
How to Throw a Rear Round Knee
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 stomach level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the same side of the kick you are throwing (right knee will hit one of the partners’ pads). The partner should hold the pad at about a 30 degree angle downwards to meet your knee. It would be easier for the pad holder to wear a belly pad on the round knee.
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 knee 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.
-
Get your lower shin parallel to the floor, similar to the hook.
-
Aim your knee 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 knee and leg back and return to the original stance position.
How to Throw a Lead Round Knee
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 stomach level.
Tip: If you are hitting pads, aim for the same side of the kick you are throwing (left knee will hit one of the partners’ pads). The partner should hold the pad at about a 30 degree angle downwards to meet your knee. It would be easier for the pad holder to wear a belly pad on the round knee.
Step Two:
Take a short step forwards and outwards – 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 knee 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 right leg/knee should be in a straight line.
Do these next movements all at the same time (in one motion).
-
Swing your lead/left arm down.
-
Pivot on the ball of your rear/right foot counter 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.
-
Get your shin parallel to the floor, similar to the hook.
-
Aim your knee 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 rear/right hand blocking your face.
Tip: Pivot the rear/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 knee and leg back and return to the original stance position.
MUAY THAI SCHOOL
KNEES
MUAY THAI SCHOOL
KNEES
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