Fundamentals
Unit 4: Mid-Kick Defense
Checks
Fundamental Mid Kick Defense
The Art of the Check
Building Your Shield
The check is the most important defense against the powerful Muay Thai roundhouse kick. A proper check not only protects your body from damage but can also injure your opponent's shin, making them hesitant to kick again. Mastering the check is a fundamental skill that builds a strong foundation for more advanced counters.
Mid Kick Check Drills
Drill 1: The Basic Check
This drill focuses on pure mechanics.
1. The Feed: Your partner throws a slow rear mid kick.
2. The Check: Lift your lead knee high, pointing it slightly outwards. Turn your shin to face the kick, creating a "shield."
3. Reset: Place your foot back down in your stance, maintaining balance.
Drill 2: Check and Jab
A simple counter to build timing.
1. The Feed: Your partner throws a rear mid kick.
2. The Check: Perform a solid check with your lead leg.
3. The Counter: As you are placing your foot back down, immediately fire a sharp Jab to keep your opponent defensive.
Drill 3: Check and Cross
Adding power to your counter.
1. The Feed: Your partner throws a rear mid kick.
2. The Check: Perform a solid check with your lead leg.
3. The Counter: As you place your foot down, use the downward momentum to help power a strong Rear Cross.
Drill 4: Check and Jab-Cross
A fundamental boxing counter.
1. The Check: Check your partner's rear mid kick.
2. The Counter: As you place your foot down, immediately fire a fast Jab-Cross combination to the head.
Drill 5: Check, Angle, and Kick
An advanced counter using footwork.
1. The Check: Check your partner's rear mid kick.
2. The Angle: Instead of placing your foot straight down, step forward and to the outside at a 45-degree angle.
3. The Counter: This new angle gives you a clear line to their body. Fire a powerful Rear Kick.
Drill 6: The Double Check
A drill for balance and endurance.
1. The Feed: Your partner throws two consecutive rear mid kicks.
2. The Defense: You must check the first kick, briefly touch your foot down to reset, and immediately check the second kick, all while maintaining perfect balance.
Keys to a Perfect Check
- Knee High, Shin Out: Your knee should come up high, and you should turn your shin outwards to meet the kick. The goal is to block with the hard part of your shin.
- Stay Balanced: Keep a slight bend in your supporting leg to maintain your balance. Don't hop or lean back.
- Keep Your Guard Up: A common mistake is dropping your hands when you check. Keep your guard glued to your head to protect from punches.
- Read the Hips: Anticipate the kick by watching your opponent's hips. Their hips will rotate just before they throw the kick, giving you a signal to check.
Dutch Block
The Dutch Block
The Art of the Arm Shield
Building an Impenetrable Wall
The Dutch Block is a hard-nosed defensive technique used to absorb mid kicks on the arms, leaving your legs free to counter. The goal is to create a solid "shield" by reinforcing your blocking arm with your other hand. This allows you to weather the storm and immediately return fire with powerful punches while your opponent is retracting their kick.
Dutch Block Drills
Drill 1: The Basic Dutch Block
This drill focuses on the core mechanics.
1. The Feed: Your partner throws a slow rear mid kick to your lead side.
2. The Block: Bring your lead forearm down to your ribs. Simultaneously, bring your rear hand across your body, placing your palm on your lead forearm to reinforce it. Absorb the kick on this shield.
Drill 2: Block and Cross
A simple and powerful counter.
1. The Feed: Your partner throws a rear mid kick.
2. The Block: Perform a solid Dutch Block with your arms.
3. The Counter: The moment the kick lands, explode forward with a powerful Rear Cross.
Drill 3: Block and Hook-Cross
A multi-punch counter.
1. The Feed: Your partner throws a rear mid kick.
2. The Block: Perform a solid Dutch Block. The impact will naturally load your lead side.
3. The Counter: Immediately fire a Lead Hook - Rear Cross combination.
Drill 4: Block, Cross, Hook, Kick
A full combination counter.
1. The Block: Perform a solid Dutch Block against a rear kick.
2. The Counter: Immediately fire a Cross -> Lead Hook -> Rear Low Kick combination, attacking all levels after the block.
Drill 5: Block & Clinch Entry
Transitioning from defense to clinch.
1. The Block: Perform a Dutch Block.
2. The Entry: As your opponent retracts their leg, step forward aggressively behind a Rear Cross and secure a clinch grip.
3. The Finish: Land a powerful Rear Knee from the clinch.
Drill 6: The "Forced" Block Counter
A baiting drill.
1. The Bait: Throw a hard Rear Cross to make your partner block high.
2. The Read: Anticipate their likely counter, a rear kick.
3. The Counter: As they throw the kick, perform your Dutch Block and immediately counter with your own Rear Low Kick to their supporting leg.
Keys to a Perfect Dutch Block
- Stay Tight: Keep your blocking arm tight to your body to protect your ribs. The reinforcing hand adds the extra layer of defense.
- Brace for Impact: Tense your core and arm just before the kick lands to absorb the force effectively.
- Keep Your Chin Tucked: Your head is vulnerable during the block. Keep your chin down and your eyes on the opponent.
- Counter on Impact: The best time to counter is the split second the kick lands. Use their commitment to the kick as your opportunity to strike.
Catch
Catching Mid Kicks
Turning Defense into Offense
From Defense to Dominance
Catching a mid kick is a high-risk, high-reward defense that completely neutralizes an opponent's attack and compromises their base. A successful catch requires precise timing and control, allowing you to off-balance your opponent and create openings for devastating counters like sweeps, punches, and elbows.
Mid Kick Catch Drills
Drill 1: The Basic Catch
This drill focuses on the mechanics.
1. The Feed: Your partner throws a slow rear mid kick.
2. The Catch: Before it lands, take a small step back with your rear foot and drag your lead foot. Catch the kick under your lead armpit, turning your lead lat muscle into the impact. Raise your lead shoulder and heel to heighten and secure the leg.
3. Secure: Use your rear hand to clamp down on their shin/ankle for final control.
Drill 2: Catch and Cross
A fundamental counter.
1. The Catch: Securely catch your partner's rear mid kick using the proper technique.
2. The Step: Take one small step forward to close the distance.
3. The Counter: While holding the leg, fire a powerful Rear Cross to the head.
Drill 3: Catch and Sweep
The classic follow-up.
1. The Catch: Securely catch the rear mid kick.
2. The Step: Take one step forward and to the outside of their supporting leg.
3. The Sweep: Use your rear leg to kick out their supporting leg from behind the ankle while pushing their upper body.
Drill 4: Catch to Boxing Combo
An advanced punching counter.
1. The Catch: Securely catch the rear mid kick.
2. The Angle: Take one step to an outside angle to off-balance them.
3. The Counter: While holding the leg, fire a Cross -> Lead Hook -> Cross combination.
Drill 5: Catch, Pull, and Elbow
A close-range finisher.
1. The Catch: Securely catch the rear mid kick.
2. The Pull: Take one aggressive step forward, pulling their leg and upper body towards you.
3. The Counter: As you pull them in, release the leg and fire a sharp Lead Elbow.
Drill 6: Catch and Low Kick
Attacking the base.
1. The Catch: Securely catch the rear mid kick.
2. The Control: Lift their leg high to maximize the weight on their supporting leg.
3. The Counter: Throw a powerful Rear Low Kick to their supporting thigh or calf.
Keys to a Successful Catch
- Absorb the Impact: Take a small step back as you catch to absorb some of the kick's power. Don't try to catch a full-force kick standing still.
- Secure the Grip: Use your armpit and your rear hand to create a strong clamp on their leg. A weak grip will allow them to pull free.
- Control, Don't Just Hold: Once you have the leg, you are in control. Lift it, pull it, and push it to keep your opponent constantly off balance.
- Counter Immediately: The moment you secure the catch is the moment you should be launching your counter-attack.