1. Stance (Muay Thai Guard/Ready Position)

• Foot Position:
  Begin in your Muay Thai stance, with your lead foot forward (left foot for orthodox stance, right foot for southpaw). Feet are shoulder-width apart, weight evenly distributed on the balls of your feet for balance and quick movements.
• Knees and Hips:
  Knees remain slightly bent, ensuring mobility and balance. Hips should stay relaxed but ready to engage for the forward thrust.
• Hands/Guard:
  • Both hands are up in a high guard.
  • Your rear hand is near your chin, protecting your jaw.
  • Your lead hand is slightly extended, ready to parry or measure distance.

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2. Preparation (Chambering the Teep)

• Identify the Target:
  The long foot jab (teep) is aimed at your opponent’s midsection (solar plexus, ribs, or stomach) to push them back or disrupt their balance. Alternatively, aim at the hip or thigh to stop their forward movement.
• Weight Shift:
  Shift your weight onto your rear foot, freeing your lead leg to execute the jab. This weight transfer is essential for stability and power.
• Raise the Knee:
  Lift your lead knee towards your chest, keeping your shin perpendicular to the floor. Keep the movement compact and controlled.

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3. Executing the Long Foot Jab (The Strike)

1. Step 1 – Engage the Hips and Extend the Leg:
   Thrust your hips forward as you extend your lead leg toward the target. The power of the teep comes from the hip thrust, not just the leg extension.
2. Step 2 – Point the Toes and Strike with the Ball of the Foot:
   • Your toes should point downward to expose the ball of your foot, which is the striking surface.
   • Make contact with the ball of your foot for maximum impact and precision.
3. Step 3 – Maintain Upper Body Control:
   • Lean back slightly to counterbalance the forward motion of the teep.
   • Keep your guard high, with your rear hand protecting your chin and your lead hand slightly extended for balance or follow-up defense.
4. Step 4 – Follow Through:
   Push through the strike, aiming to either disrupt the opponent’s stance, push them back, or stop their forward momentum.

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4. Footwork and Recovery

1. Recoil the Leg:
   After the teep lands, quickly retract your leg back to its original position. Keep the motion compact to avoid being caught off-balance.
2. Reset Your Stance:
   Once the foot returns, ensure you’re back in your balanced Muay Thai stance, ready for follow-up strikes or defense.
3. Adjust Distance:
   If the teep creates distance between you and your opponent, either step forward to capitalize on the opening or maintain range control.

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5. Defensive Positioning and Protection

1. Guard Maintenance:
   • Your rear hand should always stay high to protect against counters, such as punches or kicks.
   • Your lead hand can extend slightly for balance but should return to guard after the strike.
2. Head Positioning:
   Lean back slightly to make it harder for your opponent to counter with punches or knees while you execute the teep.
3. Compact Movement:
   Avoid telegraphing the teep by keeping the chambering and extension quick and fluid.

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6. Follow-Up and Recovery

1. Immediate Return to Guard:
   After the teep, bring both hands back into a high guard and be ready for any counters.
2. Combination Opportunities:
   Use the long foot jab to set up follow-up strikes:
   • A rear round kick to capitalize on the opponent being off-balance.
   • A jab-cross combination if they’re pushed into range.
   • A clinch if the teep brings you closer to your opponent.
3. Distance Control:
   The teep is also effective for creating space. After landing it, reset your stance and maintain the desired range to avoid counters.

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7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Telegraphing the Strike:
   Avoid excessive movement or obvious setup before the teep, as this gives your opponent time to prepare or counter.
2. Dropping Hands:
   Keep your guard high throughout the strike. Dropping your hands leaves you vulnerable to counters, especially punches.
3. Hitting with the Wrong Part of the Foot:
   Always aim to strike with the ball of your foot. Hitting with the toes can cause injury or reduce the effectiveness of the strike.
4. Overcommitting:
   Avoid leaning too far back or thrusting too hard, as this can leave you off-balance or unable to recover quickly.
5. Slow Recovery:
   Failing to retract your leg quickly leaves you vulnerable to sweeps or counters.

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8. Advanced Concepts

1. Feinting with the Teep:
   Use a subtle teep motion to bait your opponent into reacting, then follow up with a different strike like a round kick or cross.
2. Target Variation:
   • Use the teep to the chest to push an aggressive opponent back.
   • Aim for the thigh or hip to interrupt their forward movement.
3. Follow-Up Combos:
   After landing the teep, quickly transition into another strike or a clinch for knees and elbows.
4. Teep as a Counter:
   Time the teep to intercept your opponent’s forward movement, using their momentum against them to maximize the impact.

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Conclusion

The Long Foot Jab (Teep) is a fundamental Muay Thai technique that excels at maintaining distance, disrupting an opponent’s rhythm, and setting up powerful combinations. Proper execution relies on a fluid hip thrust, striking with the ball of the foot, and maintaining defensive readiness. When combined with precise timing and follow-ups, the teep becomes an essential weapon in your Muay Thai arsenal.