Muay Thai - Straight Knee Strike

The Straight Knee Strike is the first muay thai knee strike you should learn. In Thai, this technique is called Khao Trong (เข่าตรง). Khao = Knee, Trong = Straight. Before you learn the straight knee strike, warm up and practice your fighting stance. When you learn new muay thai skills, you should always start and finish in the fighting stance. There is also a more detailed, animated instruction for the knee strike. For more video instructions, click here. This instruction was created in co-operation with Muay Thai Santai.

Execution

Start from your muay thai fighting stance and make sure everything is right before you move. Ask your trainer to correct your stance or practice in front of a mirror.
Then step forward with your lead leg. Step on the ball of your foot, not on your heel. In muay thai you always stay on the balls of your feet. In a fight, you would plant your lead foot next to your opponents lead foot (ideal distance for the straight knee strike).
Then lift your back leg and bend your knee. Bending the knee is very important, because you don't want your opponent to hook his arm under your thigh. Also extend your ankle, but keep your calf muscle relaxed.
Put one hand around your opponent's neck and keep the other hand up. In order to make sure you don't let your protecting arm fall, you can also put your guard hand on the top of your head (see video). Then push your knee towards your opponent and pull him down at the same time.
Shortly before your knee touches your opponent, push your hips forward. Also extend your standing leg and lean back with your upper body. But make sure you keep your guard up and don't raise your chin. When you look at the straight knee strike from the side, only the knee and the hips move forward.
Then go back the same way (go back to your fighting stance). It is very important that you don't let your kicking leg fall in front of your lead leg.

Advice

When you come from the distance and break into your opponent's defense, that's called knee bomb. The knee bomb is often done without grabbing the opponent's neck.
Practice the straight muay thai knee strike in front of a mirror and ask your coach to correct you.
Practice the straight knee on a heavy bag (see video).

Performance

In this Video: Kru Phon & Tim - Muay Thai Santai
Team: Muay Thai Santai Fighting Team
Coach: Kru Phon
Taped by: Mavi

Suggestions

Advice

The videos are supposed to be a help for the animated instructions. Check out the animated lessons first and then go to the video section.

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