Become Fighter
Counter kicking after a check: Muay Thai guide
The check is defence. The kick that follows is the answer.
A check hurts the other fighter's shin and makes them hesitate. That hesitation is your window. Experienced Thai fighters check and kick back in a single motion, so the foot never goes far from the floor.
The best counters are the ones the opponent did not expect: the check turns into a teep, a switch kick or a low kick on the way out. Train the sequence until the foot goes from check to kick without a pause.
Key points
- Check with the shin, turned out, then plant the foot forward.
- The planted foot becomes the base for the kick.
- Counter with the opposite leg for speed, or the same leg for surprise.
- Teep to the body after a check gives them nothing to read.
- Keep your hands up through the whole sequence.
- Drive through the target, do not slap at it.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Putting the foot back down behind you. Plant forward. It keeps range and loads the counter.
- Pausing after the check. Keep moving. A pause lets them reset and kick again.
- Dropping the guard to kick. Hands stay up. Your kick is the cost of your guard, not the guard itself.
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.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Catching and countering
- Catching the body kick: Muay Thai guide
- Sweeping the standing leg: Muay Thai guide
- Teep counters: 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.