Become Fighter
The straight knee: Muay Thai guide
Drive the knee up and forward into the body, with the hips behind it.
The straight knee is a close-range weapon. You step in, rise on the ball of the supporting foot and drive the knee forward and up with the hips behind it.
From distance it is a long, committed movement, so beginners learn it on a bag or pad. Here you build the shape in the air and on a heavy bag. No clinch, no partner yet.
Key points
- Rise on the ball of the standing foot.
- Drive the hips forward as the knee comes up.
- Point the toes down and pull the foot back.
- Lean slightly back to keep your balance.
- Keep your hands up. They cover you and stay ready to grab later.
- Land the knee, then step back down into stance.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Lifting the knee without moving the hips. Push the hips forward. A knee with no hips is a lifted leg, not a strike.
- Flat foot on the standing leg. Rise on the ball of the foot. It lets the hips go up and forward.
- Leaning forward over the knee. Stay tall or lean back slightly. Leaning forward puts your head in the way.
- Dropping the hands. Hands stay up, always.
Combinations that use it
- mt-knee-knee: Straight knee, Straight knee
- mt-in-knee: Step in, Straight knee
- mt-1-2-knee: Jab, Cross, Straight knee
- mt-knee-2: Straight knee, Cross
- mt-knee-elbow-back: Straight knee, Rear elbow, Step back
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 Checks and knees module of Muay Thai foundations.
Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play.
More from Checks and knees
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.