Become Fighter
The shin block for low kicks: Kickboxing guide
Lift the leg to meet the kick so it hits shin, not soft thigh.
A check protects you from low kicks to the thigh. It also gives the opponent a counter-chance because your leg is up and their kick has been stopped. The shin block is the standard defence in kickboxing. You lift the lead or rear shin so their shin hits yours.
The point is to turn the kick into a bone-on-bone contact that favours the one who is ready. It also teaches the opponent that their low kicks have a price.
Key points
- Lift the knee up and slightly out, with the shin vertical and the toes pulled back.
- Keep the standing leg bent, weight on the ball of the foot, and the hips square.
- Hold the hands up. Do not lean down to look at the leg.
- Check on the outside of the knee for a kick to the outer thigh. Check to the inside for a kick to the inside leg.
- Put the foot down quickly and return in the same direction as the kick.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Looking down at the kick. Look at the shoulders and hips. Dropping your head lets the hands fall and invites a punch.
- Lifting the foot, not the knee. Drive the knee up so the shin is vertical. A raised foot gives a soft contact point.
- Standing flat on the supporting leg. Soften the knee and rise on the ball of the foot so you can move after the check.
Combinations that use it
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 kicks module of Kickboxing foundations.
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More from Defending kicks
- Blocking body and head kicks: Kickboxing guide
- Catching a kick: Kickboxing guide
- Stepping off the line and countering: Kickboxing guide
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.