• No categories
  • Foot Position:
    Begin in your standard Muay Thai stance, with your lead foot forward (left for orthodox, right for southpaw). Feet should be shoulder-width apart, with weight balanced on the balls of your feet for quick movement.
  • Knees and Hips:
    Keep your knees slightly bent to maintain balance and mobility. Your hips should stay aligned with your center of gravity.
  • Hands/Guard:
    Both hands should be held high to guard your chin and jaw. Your elbows remain close to your ribs to protect your body. Stay relaxed but prepared to shift your guard when defending against low strikes. Keep your chin slightly tucked to minimize exposure.

  • Opponentโ€™s Movement Recognition:
    Watch for signs of an inside low kick or body hook aimed toward your midsection or inner thigh. Look for your opponentโ€™s hip rotation or telegraphed movement.
  • Guard Adjustment:
    Prepare to drop your elbow and hand inward, toward your bodyโ€™s centerline, while maintaining balance and defensive structure.
  • Body Awareness:
    Stay compact and ready to absorb the strike with minimal movement, keeping your balance intact.

  1. Step 1 โ€“ Shift Your Guard Inward:
    • As the low strike approaches, drop the elbow and hand on the opposite side of the incoming attack toward your bodyโ€™s center.
      • For example, if the strike comes from the opponentโ€™s right (your left), adjust your right arm inward.
    • Tuck your elbow close to your ribs and press it downward toward your abdomen or inner thigh.
  2. Step 2 โ€“ Compact the Cover:
    • Ensure your forearm and glove form a strong shield, absorbing the force of the strike.
    • Avoid flaring your elbow outward, as this can leave your ribs or inner thigh vulnerable.
  3. Step 3 โ€“ Absorb the Strike:
    • Shift your weight slightly toward the incoming strike to brace against it without overcommitting or losing balance.
    • Keep your core tight to reduce the impact on your body.

  • Elbow and Arm Placement:
    The arm on the side of the attack should cover tightly, with the elbow pointing downward toward the inside of your body. This positioning protects both your ribs and inner thigh from the strike.
  • Head and Torso Alignment:
    Keep your head slightly off-center and your torso compact to avoid creating openings for follow-up strikes.
  • Foot Positioning:
    Stay grounded in your stance, with both feet firmly planted. Avoid lifting your feet unless a pivot is necessary for balance.

  1. Immediate Return to Guard:
    After absorbing the strike, quickly return your arm to its high guard position to protect against head-level attacks or combinations.
  2. Counterattack Opportunities:
    • Following a blocked low kick, counter with a low kick of your own or a quick jab-cross combination.
    • After blocking a body hook, retaliate with a hook or elbow to the opponentโ€™s exposed side.
  3. Reposition for Safety:
    Adjust your stance if necessary to ensure you remain balanced and ready for the next attack or to launch your counter.

  1. Overextending the Movement:
    Avoid moving your arm too far across your body. This can expose your opposite side and disrupt your balance.
  2. Dropping Both Hands:
    Only the arm on the side of the attack should adjust. Dropping both hands leaves your head unprotected.
  3. Leaning Too Far:
    Excessive leaning or bending at the waist can compromise your balance and make you vulnerable to follow-up strikes.
  4. Loose Guard:
    Keep your arm tight and compact during the cover. A loose or wide movement can allow the strike to slip through or create openings.

  1. Deflecting the Strike:
    Instead of solely absorbing the force, advanced practitioners can slightly turn their body or angle their elbow to deflect the strike away, reducing its impact.
  2. Using the Cover as a Setup:
    • After absorbing the strike, immediately step forward to close the distance and attack.
    • Use the momentum of the block to pivot and deliver a counter kick or knee.
  3. Reading the Opponentโ€™s Combinations:
    Recognize patterns in your opponentโ€™s strikes. For example, if they frequently follow an inside low kick with a high hook, prepare to block the low kick and transition smoothly into a high guard.
  4. Baiting the Strike:
    Leave a slight opening to entice your opponent into throwing an inside low kick or body shot, then block it and counterattack effectively.

The Muay Thai cover low inside is a fundamental defensive maneuver that protects against strikes aimed at the midline and inner thigh. By maintaining a tight and compact guard, bracing effectively, and recovering quickly, you can neutralize low inside strikes while staying ready to counter. Perfecting this technique enhances your overall defensive game and prepares you to capitalize on your opponentโ€™s mistakes.