1. Stance (Muay Thai Guard/Ready Position)

• Foot Position:
  Begin in your Muay Thai stance, with your left foot forward (orthodox stance). Feet are shoulder-width apart, and your weight is distributed on the balls of your feet for balance and mobility.
• Knees and Hips:
  Keep your knees slightly bent, ensuring balance and readiness. Your hips should remain aligned with your body’s center of gravity to drive power into the knee strike.
• Hands/Guard:
  • Both hands are in a high guard position.
  • Your rear hand (left) protects your chin, while your lead hand (right) may extend slightly forward to disrupt your opponent’s guard or maintain distance.
  • Your elbows stay tucked in, protecting your sides, and your head is slightly off-center to reduce vulnerability to attacks.

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2. Preparation (Chambering the Long Knee)

• Target Selection:
  The long knee targets areas such as the solar plexus, midsection, stomach, or ribs, aiming to penetrate the opponent’s defense with power and accuracy.
• Weight Shift:
  Shift your weight slightly onto your lead foot (left). This frees your rear leg (right) to deliver the knee with precision and explosiveness.
• Lift the Rear Knee:
  Lift your right knee straight up toward your chest in a compact and controlled motion. Ensure your foot is relaxed and not tensed.
• Engage Your Core:
  Tighten your abdominal muscles to maintain balance and generate maximum power from your whole body.

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3. Executing the Long Knee (The Strike)

1. Step 1 – Drive the Hips Forward:
   Thrust your hips forward as you extend your right knee, adding force and range to the strike. This motion is crucial for the power and penetration of the knee.
2. Step 2 – Extend the Rear Leg:
   Push your right leg forward in a straight trajectory, aiming for the target. The tip of your knee should lead the strike to ensure precision and impact.
3. Step 3 – Upper Body Positioning:
   • Lean back slightly during the strike to avoid counters, such as punches or elbows.
   • Keep your rear hand (left) high to protect your face, while your lead hand (right) may extend forward to check or block the opponent’s arms.
4. Step 4 – Follow Through:
   The motion should be direct and forceful. Avoid overextending; instead, focus on penetrating the opponent’s defenses with accuracy and speed.

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4. Footwork and Recovery

1. Retract the Leg Quickly:
   After landing the knee (or missing), pull your right leg back into its original position to avoid leaving yourself open to counterattacks.
2. Reset Your Position:
   Return to your balanced Muay Thai guard immediately to maintain defensive readiness.
3. Adjust Distance:
   The long knee is effective for controlling range. If the strike creates space, reposition yourself to maintain optimal fighting distance.

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5. Defensive Positioning and Protection

1. Rear Hand Guard:
   Your rear hand (left) must stay in a high guard position to protect your face and chin from counterstrikes, especially hooks or jabs.
2. Lead Hand Position:
   Your lead hand (right) can help disrupt the opponent’s guard or deflect incoming strikes.
3. Head Movement:
   Slightly lean back while throwing the knee to make yourself a harder target. Avoid excessive backward leaning, as it can compromise your balance.
4. Compact Motion:
   Execute the strike without telegraphing your intentions. Keep your movement tight and precise to minimize exposure.

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6. Follow-Up and Recovery

1. Immediate Return to Guard:
   After retracting your knee, ensure both hands return to your high guard position to defend against counters.
2. Combination Opportunities:
   The long knee often sets up follow-up strikes, such as:
   • A jab or cross to maintain pressure.
   • A low kick to exploit an unbalanced opponent.
   • A clinch to control the fight and follow up with knees or elbows.
3. Reestablish Control:
   Use the long knee strategically to disrupt your opponent’s rhythm and regain or maintain control over the fight pace.

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7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Telegraphing the Strike:
   Avoid excessive movement before throwing the knee, as this gives your opponent time to react or counter.
2. Dropping Hands:
   Always maintain a high guard with both hands during the strike to protect yourself from potential counters.
3. Neglecting Hip Engagement:
   The power of the long knee comes from the hips. A lack of hip thrust will weaken the strike and reduce its range.
4. Overcommitting:
   Avoid overextending or leaning too far forward or backward, as it compromises balance and leaves you vulnerable to counters.

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8. Advanced Concepts

1. Feinting with the Knee:
   Use a subtle motion with your rear leg to feint the knee strike, baiting the opponent into reacting. This can open opportunities for follow-up strikes.
2. Long Knee in the Clinch:
   In close quarters, control your opponent’s arms or head and deliver the long knee with even greater force and accuracy.
3. Target Adjustments:
   Aim slightly to the side of the opponent’s midsection to strike the ribs or obliques, exploiting openings in their guard.
4. Intercepting Aggression:
   Use the long knee to counter an advancing opponent. Their forward momentum increases the strike’s effectiveness.

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Conclusion

The Long Knee (Right) is a versatile and powerful tool for delivering precise and damaging strikes to your opponent’s midsection. Proper execution relies on balance, hip engagement, and defensive awareness. Whether used offensively or as a counter, the long knee is an essential technique in Muay Thai, capable of controlling range, creating openings, and disrupting your opponent’s rhythm.