Technique in Focus: Muay Thai Kicks

Muay Thai kicks are one of the most devastating techniques in all of the fighting arts. No other kicking technique generates more power than the style popularized by the Thais. What makes the kick so powerful is the rotation of the hips.

Turning the hips over as you kick puts your body weight behind it and rather than just kicking your target, the goal with Muay Thai kicks is to kick through your target.

Unlike Karate, Taekwondo, and other fighting arts, the roundhouse kicks in Muay Thai land with the shin rather than the foot. That in itself makes a huge difference.

Think about it, there are over 20 small, vulnerable bones in your foot and only 2 long, durable, sharp bones within the shin. Kicking with your shin not only reduces your risk of injury but it hurts your opponent a lot more.

Aside from kicking with the shin and turning the hips over, there’s a lot of steps that should be followed as well. Follow the list below, watch the video and most importantly ..practice, practice, practice!

Note: The guidelines below are for kicking with your rear/power leg. In this case, the description is based on kicking with your right leg.

1. Step forward and to the left of your target (opponent) and elevate up onto the toes of your left foot.
2. Swing your right hip forward, your right leg upwards towards your opponent and your right hand back
3. Turn your hips over, elevate your left arm so it blocks the left side of your face, “snap out” your shin and make contact with your target.

It’s very important that when kicking, you don’t telegraph the movement by kicking too wide. If your opponent sees the kick coming, he’s just going to side step, catch your leg and most likely, punch you square in the face or toss your leg aside and kick you in the head.

A good way to ensure that your kicks don’t come in a wide, predictable angles is to stand right next to the ropes while you’re doing your pad work. If you’re kicking with your right leg, stand with the right side of your body about a foot and a half away from the ropes.

Written instructions are great and all but given the complexity of the movement, video instruction is a must and who better to learn Muay Thai kicks from than a former Muay Thai champion with over 300 fights.