Become Fighter
Catching the body kick: Muay Thai guide
Trap the kick against your ribs and own the leg.
A caught kick is a gift in Thai boxing. The opponent is balanced on one leg and you are in charge of the other. Judges score the catch and what follows it, so a catch is only half the job.
You catch the kick against your ribs with the elbow tight and the forearm under the leg. Do not grab with the hand alone. Clamp the leg between arm and body, then step in or counter before it is pulled away.
Key points
- Catch on the same side as the kick. Elbow tucked, forearm under the shin.
- Clamp the leg to your body. Your ribs and arm hold it, not your fingers.
- Turn your hips slightly into the kick to absorb the force.
- Keep your head up and the other hand high.
- Counter on the same beat while they hop. Do not stand holding the leg.
- Never catch a kick you cannot see coming. Check if unsure.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Catching with a hand only. Use the arm and ribs. A hand grab slips and eats a bruise.
- Holding the leg and doing nothing. Counter at once. The catch earns the opening, your strike earns the point.
- Leaning back as it comes. Lean in a little. Back-leaning lets them reach you with the shin.
Combinations that use it
- mt-catch-cross: Kick catch, Cross
- mt-catch-low: Kick catch, Low kick
- mt-catch-cross-knee: Kick catch, Cross, Straight knee
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 Catching and countering module of Muay Thai foundations.
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More from Catching and countering
- Sweeping the standing leg: Muay Thai guide
- Teep counters: Muay Thai guide
- Counter kicking after a check: Muay Thai 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.