Intermediate
Unit 7: Teep Defense
Redirect
Teep Defense
Turning Defense into Offense
Beyond Blocking: Redirecting the Teep
While blocking a teep is effective, redirecting it is a more advanced and strategic defense. Instead of absorbing the impact, you guide the opponent's kick past you. This not only negates their attack but also turns them, breaking their posture and creating a prime opportunity for a powerful counter before they can recover.
Counter Combinations
Drill 1: Redirect -> Low Kick -> Cross
Redirect the teep with your opposite hand. As you fire the counter Rear Low Kick, your body's rotation naturally loads up your rear shoulder. As your kicking leg returns, throw a powerful Cross.
Drill 2: Redirect -> Cross -> Hook -> Cross
Redirect the teep to throw your opponent off balance. Step in immediately with a full Cross - Lead Hook - Cross combination, taking advantage of their vulnerable, side-on position.
Drill 3: Redirect to Sweep
This requires precise timing. Redirect the teep with your opposite hand. As you clear their leg, take a deep step forward and use your lead leg to hook and sweep their supporting leg from under them, pushing their upper body with your hands.
Keys to a Successful Redirect
- Timing is Crucial: You must meet the teep early. If you wait too long, it will be too powerful to redirect effectively.
- Soft Hands: Don't slap at the kick. Use a soft, guiding hand to scoop and push the kick to the outside. Let their momentum do the work.
- Take a Small Angle Step: As you redirect, take a small step with your same-side foot. This helps you get off the center line and adds power to your counter.
- Immediate Counter: The window of opportunity is small. You must counter the instant you've cleared their leg. Hesitation allows them to recover.
Football Catch
The Football Catch
Controlling and Countering the Teep
Catching the Teep
The "football catch" is a high-level defense against the teep. Instead of just blocking or redirecting, you are actively catching and controlling your opponent's leg. This completely neutralizes their weapon, severely compromises their balance, and opens them up to a wide variety of devastating sweeps and counters.
Intermediate Catching Drills and Counters
Drill 1: Catch, Kick, Combo
1. Catch: As the right teep comes, your right hand scoops under the heel while your left hand clamps over the top of the foot. Pull the leg tight to your right hip.
2. Kick: Keeping the leg secured with both hands, deliver a hard low kick with your rear leg to their supporting thigh.
3. Combo: As your kicking leg lands, forcefully release their leg and immediately fire a Cross-Hook-Cross.
Drill 2: Catch, Pull, and Elbow
1. Catch & Secure: Secure the catch (right hand under heel, left hand on top of foot).
2. Pull & Step: Take one powerful step forward with your lead foot, pulling their leg and upper body towards you to bring them off-balance and into close range.
3. Elbow: As they are pulled in, release the leg and immediately fire a sharp Lead Horizontal Elbow over their shoulder.
Keys to a Successful Catch
- Timing and Absorption: You can't catch a fully-powered teep. You must time it perfectly, absorbing some of the impact by slightly moving back as you make the catch.
- Secure the Grip: Use both hands to create a strong grip on the foot and ankle. A weak grip will allow them to pull their leg back.
- Control, Don't Just Hold: Once you have the leg, manipulate it. 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.
Evade Counters
Teep Evade Counters
Making Them Miss, Making Them Pay
Evading the Teep
Evading the teep, often called a "fade," is a subtle yet powerful defensive maneuver. Instead of blocking, redirecting, or catching, you simply pull your body back just enough for the teep to fall short. This baits your opponent into overextending and leaves them momentarily on one leg, creating the perfect window to spring forward with a devastating counter-attack.
Intermediate Evade Drills and Counters
Drill 1: Evade to Low Kick
1. Evade: As the teep comes, take a short, quick step back with your rear foot to pull your torso out of range.
2. Spring & Kick: As their foot misses and starts to retract, immediately spring forward off your back foot and deliver a hard Rear Low Kick to their supporting leg.
Drill 2: Evade to Boxing Combo
1. Evade: Fade back from the teep just enough to make it miss.
2. Close Distance: As they are retracting their leg, explode forward into range.
3. Combo: Fire a fast Jab-Cross-Lead Hook combination while they are still recovering their stance.
Drill 3: Evade to Body Kick
1. Evade: Fade back from the teep.
2. Load: As their teep falls short, their kicking-side torso is open and their hands are often out of position.
3. Kick: Spring forward and land a powerful Rear Roundhouse Kick to the ribs or liver.
Keys to a Successful Evade
- Minimal Movement: Only move back as far as necessary. The goal is to make the teep miss by an inch, not a foot. This allows for a faster counter.
- Stay Balanced: Don't just lean back. Take a controlled step with your rear foot to maintain your posture and balance.
- Explosive Return: The counter is not a separate move. It should be an explosive spring forward, immediately following the evade.
- Read the Opponent: Watch your opponent's hips. A teep is often telegraphed by a slight dip or shift in the hips before the leg comes up.