1. Stance (Muay Thai Guard/Ready Position)

• Foot Position:
  Start in your balanced Muay Thai stance, with your lead foot slightly forward (left for orthodox, right for southpaw). Feet should be shoulder-width apart, with your weight distributed evenly on the balls of your feet for mobility.
• Knees and Hips:
  Slightly bend your knees to stay low and balanced, keeping your hips aligned with your center of gravity.
• Hands/Guard:
  • Both hands should be in a high guard position, protecting your head and face.
  • Elbows are tucked close to your ribs to protect against incoming strikes to the body.
  • Your chin should remain slightly tucked, ensuring a compact and defensively sound posture.

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2. Preparation (Anticipating the Low Strike)

• Opponent’s Movement Recognition:
  The low outside cover is primarily used to block body hooks, round kicks to the body, or low kicks aimed at the legs or hips. Watch for the telltale signs of your opponent’s movements, such as hip rotation or step setup.
• Body Awareness:
  Stay grounded and prepare to absorb the strike by lowering your center of gravity slightly without losing mobility.
• Elbow and Arm Positioning:
  Ready your guard to drop effectively without flaring your elbows too wide or opening gaps in your defense.

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3. Executing the Low Outside Cover (The Technique)

1. Step 1 – Lower Your Guard:
   As the low strike approaches, drop your arm on the same side of the incoming attack:
   • If the strike comes to your left side, lower your left arm to shield your body.
   • Keep your hand tight to your body, and press your elbow down toward your hip to absorb the impact.
2. Step 2 – Tighten the Cover:
   • Ensure your arm, glove, and elbow create a solid shield against the strike.
   • Avoid flaring your elbow outward, as this could leave your ribs or liver exposed to follow-up strikes.
3. Step 3 – Brace for Impact:
   • Slightly shift your weight toward the side of the incoming strike to brace effectively without overcommitting.
   • Lower your shoulder slightly on the side you are covering to help dissipate the strike’s force.

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4. Defensive Positioning During the Cover

• Elbow and Arm Placement:
  The elbow should be directly in the path of the strike, positioned tightly against your body. This minimizes damage and ensures that your ribs and torso remain protected.
• Head and Torso Alignment:
  Keep your torso slightly angled forward, ensuring your body remains compact. Avoid leaning too far to one side, which can compromise your balance.
• Foot Positioning:
  Maintain a strong, grounded stance. Avoid lifting your feet or pivoting unnecessarily, as this could disrupt your balance and leave you vulnerable to additional strikes.

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5. Follow-Up and Recovery

1. Immediate Return to Guard:
   After blocking the strike, raise your arm back to your original guard position. This ensures you’re ready to defend against subsequent attacks, such as hooks or high kicks.
2. Counterattack Opportunities:
   Use the opponent’s overcommitment to their low strike to launch a counter:
   • After blocking a body kick, immediately return fire with a low kick or a straight punch.
   • After blocking a body hook, counter with a hook or cross to their exposed head.
3. Reposition for Safety:
   After the cover, pivot or step slightly to adjust your angle and maintain defensive positioning.

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6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Dropping Both Hands:
   Only lower the arm on the side of the incoming strike. Dropping both hands leaves your head and upper body exposed to follow-up strikes.
2. Overcommitting the Movement:
   Avoid excessive leaning or dropping your guard too low, which could disrupt your balance or leave openings for counters.
3. Loose Cover:
   Keep your elbow and glove tight to your body. A loose arm can allow strikes to penetrate, reducing the effectiveness of your defense.
4. Ignoring Follow-Up Strikes:
   Many opponents use low strikes to set up head-level attacks or combinations. Always anticipate a follow-up and remain ready to defend or counter.

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7. Advanced Concepts

1. Rolling with the Strike:
   Advanced practitioners can subtly roll their body with the force of the strike while covering, reducing the impact and setting up for a quicker counter.
2. Using the Cover Offensively:
   After absorbing the strike, transition seamlessly into an attack:
   • For example, after blocking a body kick, step in with a hook or knee.
   • After covering a body hook, immediately return with an elbow strike or punch combination.
3. Angle Adjustments:
   While covering, pivot or angle your body slightly to deflect the strike and position yourself advantageously for a counterattack.
4. Baiting the Low Strike:
   At higher levels, you can subtly expose a perceived opening in your defense to bait your opponent into throwing a low strike, which you then block and counter effectively.

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Conclusion

The Muay Thai low outside cover is a critical defensive technique used to protect against body-level strikes. By maintaining a compact guard, bracing effectively, and staying balanced, you can absorb low strikes while remaining ready to counterattack. Mastering this technique will enhance your ability to neutralize body kicks, hooks, and low attacks, keeping you defensively sound and offensively prepared.