Become Fighter
How to check a kick
Lift the shin to meet a round kick before it lands on your leg.
A check is a defence against a low or body kick. You lift your lead knee so your shin meets the incoming shin, and the kick lands on bone instead of the soft part of your thigh.
Done well, a check hurts the kicker. Done badly, it hurts you. Practise slowly, and when you add a partner, start with light contact and lots of communication.
Key points
- Lift the knee up and out, not just up. Think of presenting the outside of your shin.
- Point the toes up or down, but keep the foot tight and the ankle firm.
- Check with the leg on the side the kick is coming to.
- Keep your hands up. Do not reach for the kick.
- Set the foot down in stance straight after the check.
- Practise light first. Never check a full-power kick without a coach's guidance.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Lifting the knee straight up. Turn the knee outward so the shin, not the knee or thigh, meets the kick.
- Checking late. Start the lift as soon as you see the opponent's hip turn.
- Letting the leg go soft. Firm up the ankle and the shin. A loose leg takes the full force of the kick.
- Dropping the hands to watch the leg. Keep your guard up and watch the chest. Your hands still protect your head.
Combinations that use it
- kb-check-cross: Check, Cross
- kb-check-low: Check, Low kick
- mt-check-teep: Check, Teep
- mt-check-body: Check, Body kick
- mt-check-1-2: Check, Jab, Cross
Related techniques
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Defending and combining module of Kickboxing foundations.
Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play.
More from Defending and combining
- How to combine punches into kicks
- How to follow kicks with punches
- How to put kickboxing combinations together
Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.