Become Fighter
The rear teep: Muay Thai guide
The heavy teep that shoves an opponent backwards.
The rear teep carries the full weight of your hips. It is slower to throw than the lead teep, but it stops a charging opponent and pushes them out of position. Thai judges reward a teep that visibly moves the other fighter back.
It is thrown by driving the rear knee up and forward and pushing the sole of the foot through the belly. Turn the lead foot slightly outward to open the hips and keep the standing leg bent for balance.
Key points
- The rear knee rises high and forward before the foot extends.
- Open the lead foot slightly so the hips can drive.
- Push through the belly with the whole sole, toes up.
- The hips thrust forward but the torso stays upright.
- Land the kicking foot forward into a new stance, or retract.
- Aim at the belly or the centre of the chest.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Hooking the foot sideways. Drive straight. The foot goes through the target, not across it.
- Leaning back and falling. Thrust the hips forward and keep the chest upright.
- Dropping the guard. Keep the hands up. The teep is a shield as much as a weapon.
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 Teep game and distance module of Muay Thai foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Teep game and distance
- The lead teep as a range tool: Muay Thai guide
- The teep to the face: Muay Thai guide
- Scoring and stopping pressure with the teep: 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.