Auperi

Get Started

(Muay Thai) Catch Kick🛡️🦵

Search

Auperi

Auperi Search Media is a dynamic digital agency that goes beyond traditional online advertising. We specialize in creating comprehensive guides for martial arts training, including Muay Thai, Boxing, and Kickboxing, to help enthusiasts master their techniques. Additionally, we offer detailed money-making tutorials, empowering individuals to achieve their financial goals.

Latest Posts

Categories

  • No categories

1. Stance (Muay Thai Guard/Ready Position)

  • Foot Position:
    Start in your Muay Thai stance. If you are orthodox, your left foot will be forward; if you are southpaw, your right foot should be forward. Feet should be shoulder-width apart with weight distributed on the balls of your feet, ready to move in any direction.
  • Knees and Hips:
    Maintain a slightly bent knee posture to remain balanced and mobile. Keep your hips relaxed and aligned with your body’s center of gravity, enabling smooth movements.
  • Hands/Guard:
    Your lead hand should be up and protecting your chin, and your rear hand should be positioned by your face to protect your head and jaw. Elbows should be tucked to guard your ribs. Your head should stay slightly off-center to avoid incoming punches.

2. Setting Up the Catch Kick (Preparation)

  • Positioning the Hands:
    Before attempting to catch the kick, your hands should be in a defensive stance. The lead hand stays near the face to block or parry punches, and the rear hand is slightly up to protect the face and body. Be ready to move and react quickly.
  • Footwork:
    Position yourself so that you’re in range to either parry or catch the opponent’s kick. Stay mobile and adjust your feet, depending on whether you’re catching a high kick, low kick, or mid-level kick. Your goal is to control the opponent’s kick and neutralize it.

3. Executing the Catch Kick (The Defense and Counter)

  • Step 1 – Timing the Opponent’s Kick:
    The key to a successful catch kick is timing. When your opponent throws a kick (often a roundhouse kick or teep), you need to predict the kick’s trajectory and catch it mid-air. This requires quick reflexes and good awareness of your opponent’s movement.
  • Step 2 – Catching the Kick:
    As the opponent’s kick comes toward you, quickly extend your lead arm and grab their kicking leg. The hand should wrap around the lower part of the opponent’s shin or foot—almost like you’re catching a ball. Make sure to close your hand around the leg firmly, without letting it slip.
    • For Low Kicks: Catch the opponent’s shin or foot with your lead hand (usually the left hand in an orthodox stance).
    • For High Kicks: If the opponent kicks high, use the rear hand (right hand for orthodox fighters) to catch the kick, but make sure to protect your face with your other hand.
  • Step 3 – Controlling the Leg:
    Once you catch the kick, pull the opponent’s leg towards your body. This gives you control over their balance, preventing them from using that leg to strike again. If you catch a low or mid-level kick, you may pull the leg in a way that destabilizes their position, making them more vulnerable.
  • Step 4 – Countering After the Catch:
    After securing the opponent’s leg, you can counter with a knee strike, elbow, or an immediate follow-up attack. This moment of control gives you the advantage to land a knee to the body or face, or even an elbow strike while the opponent is off-balance.If you’re close enough, you can also attempt to push the opponent back, sweep their standing leg, or enter the clinch after the catch, depending on your positioning and the flow of the fight.

4. Footwork During the Catch Kick

  • Positioning:
    To catch the kick effectively, position your body to meet the opponent’s kick at the right moment. You may need to step back slightly or adjust your stance, but avoid leaning back too much. The key is to stay close enough to the opponent’s kicking leg to catch it without overcommitting or losing your balance.
  • Pivoting and Weight Transfer:
    As you catch the kick, make sure to pivot slightly on your rear foot, transferring your weight and adjusting your body position to control the opponent’s leg. This movement will help you retain balance and prepare for follow-up actions.
  • Avoid Overcommitting:
    While catching the kick, avoid overextending your arm or pushing too hard. A controlled catch ensures that you don’t lose your balance or become vulnerable to a counterattack.

5. Defensive Considerations During the Catch Kick

  • Hands and Guard:
    Even when catching a kick, ensure that your other hand (usually the rear hand) is up to protect your head and face from any incoming strikes. Always maintain a solid guard, and be prepared to react to follow-up attacks.
  • Head Movement:
    After catching the kick, use slight head movement to avoid being caught off guard by a follow-up punch or knee strike. Make sure that your head is off-center to avoid incoming attacks.
  • Body Positioning:
    Keep your body square to your opponent while maintaining balance. Ensure that you’re not leaning too far backward, which might make you vulnerable to being off-balanced after catching the kick.

6. Follow-Up After the Catch Kick

  • Counterattack:
    Once you’ve caught the opponent’s kick and gained control, follow up immediately with a knee strike, elbow, or sweep. These can be executed while you have the opponent’s leg controlled. A quick follow-up increases the chances of landing a clean strike.
  • Resetting Your Position:
    If you don’t capitalize on a counterattack, reset your position quickly. After catching the kick, make sure to return to your Muay Thai stance to defend against further attacks and prepare for your next move.
  • Clinch Entry:
    If you catch the kick and close the distance, consider entering the clinch. From here, you can gain control of your opponent’s body, land knees, or transition into a position to control the fight.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Weak Catching Grip:
    A common mistake is not gripping the opponent’s kick firmly enough. If you don’t secure the leg with a strong grip, they can easily break free and continue attacking. Always make sure to wrap your hand around the lower leg firmly.
  • Dropping Your Guard:
    While catching the kick, ensure your other hand stays up to protect your face. Dropping your guard leaves you vulnerable to punches or elbows while you focus on catching the kick.
  • Overextending:
    Avoid overextending your arm when catching the kick. This can cause you to lose balance or leave yourself vulnerable to counterattacks. Keep the catch compact and controlled.
  • Not Moving with the Kick:
    Don’t just reach out blindly to catch the kick. Move with the kick and adjust your body position to meet it properly. This ensures that you catch the kick efficiently without losing balance.

8. Advanced Concepts for Catch Kick

  • Catching and Sweeping:
    Once you’ve caught the kick, you can immediately sweep the opponent’s standing leg to throw them off balance. This technique can be very effective in destabilizing your opponent and setting up a follow-up attack.
  • Feinting the Catch:
    At an advanced level, you can feint a catch by pretending to grab the leg, only to counter with a different move such as a low kick or a high knee. This can mislead your opponent and create an opening for a counterattack.
  • Catching and Clinching:
    After catching the kick, instead of just striking, you can use the opportunity to enter the clinch. You can then control the opponent’s position and work for knee strikes, sweeps, or attempts to take them down.

Conclusion

The Catch Kick is an effective defensive technique in Muay Thai that allows you to neutralize an opponent’s kick while setting up opportunities for powerful counterattacks. Timing, quick reflexes, and control of the opponent’s leg are essential to executing this technique effectively. After catching the kick, follow up immediately with a knee, elbow, or even clinch to capitalize on the control you have. With practice, the catch kick becomes a valuable tool for both defense and offense in Muay Thai.