Become Fighter
Knee entries and combinations: Muay Thai guide
Linking pulls and knees so every knee lands from a different angle.
Knees land when the target is moving into them. The pull, the pivot and the knee come in sequence. A strong clinch fighter throws a straight knee, a diagonal knee and a short side knee on the same pull cycle.
Learn each variant slowly with a pad on the partner's body. In sparring the knees are light to the body only. Never knee the face, groin or spine.
Key points
- Straight knee goes up the middle to the belly or ribs.
- Diagonal knee cuts across to the opposite ribs.
- Side knee to the thigh or ribs from a pivoted position.
- Alternate legs with a small hop to keep rhythm.
- Pull the head down as the knee comes up.
- Light on a partner. Power goes to the pad.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Kicking the leg out. Lift up and in. The knee drives with the hips.
- No pull. The pull brings the target onto the knee.
- Hitting the spine or face. Aim at the body or thigh. Never target the head or spine.
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 Advanced clinch module of Muay Thai foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Advanced clinch
- Off-balancing from the plum: Muay Thai guide
- Dumps and sweeps from the plum: Muay Thai guide
- Framing out and clinch exits: 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.