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  • Foot Position:
    Begin 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. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, and the weight should be distributed on the balls of your feet for better mobility and balance.
  • Knees and Hips:
    Keep your knees slightly bent to remain agile. Ensure that your hips are relaxed, aligned with your center of gravity, and ready to move in any direction to evade or counter.
  • Hands/Guard:
    Your lead hand should stay near your chin to guard your face, while your rear hand should be up to protect your chin and jaw. Elbows should be tucked in to safeguard your ribs. Ensure your head is slightly off-center to avoid straight punches and ready for evasive movement.

  • Positioning the Hands:
    Before initiating the evade kick, ensure your hands are in a protective guard. Both hands should stay near the head and body, ready to block or parry incoming strikes, while also setting up your evasive kick.
  • Footwork:
    Prepare to either move backward, laterally, or pivot as the first step in evading. Be ready to adjust your foot positioning quickly so you can either close the distance or maintain distance from your opponent.

  • Step 1 – Timing the Evasion:
    As your opponent throws a strike (often a kick or punch), time your evasive movement to evade the strike and set up the evade kick. Evading the incoming attack requires quickly moving your body out of the way, either by stepping to the side, leaning back, or pivoting.
  • Step 2 – Initiate the Evade:
    In the moment of evasion, pivot your rear foot, while simultaneously shifting your weight to the lead leg. This allows you to adjust your body to angle away from the attack while preparing to strike.
  • Step 3 – Performing the Kick:
    As you angle away from the opponent’s attack, initiate the evade kick. The kick is typically a rear leg kick, thrown with the rear leg as you pivot or step to the side. You can execute a low kick, mid-kick, or even a roundhouse kick depending on the range and positioning. The goal is to strike while staying mobile and avoiding the opponent’s strike.
  • Step 4 – Kick Execution:
    As you perform the evade kick, make sure your kicking leg is fully extended, with the foot striking the target with either the shin or the instep of the foot, depending on the type of kick. Keep your hands in position to defend any follow-up attacks.

  • Pivoting and Stepping:
    The key to executing a successful evade kick is proper footwork. When you evade, you need to either step to the side, pivot on your lead foot, or move backward as you angle your body away from your opponent’s strike. Your footwork will ensure that you maintain balance while evading the strike and creating an angle to kick.
  • Weight Transfer:
    While evading, transfer your weight to your lead foot or back leg, depending on the direction you’re moving. This ensures that you have balance while executing the kick and are ready to recover afterward.
  • Step or Slide:
    Depending on the situation, you might need to step, slide, or even jump during the evade kick. This dynamic footwork will help you maintain your distance and improve your mobility.

  • Hands and Guard:
    As you evade, your lead hand should still guard your face and the rear hand should remain by your chin to protect against any counterattacks or follow-up punches. Keeping a solid guard ensures you remain protected during the evasive phase.
  • Head Movement:
    While you perform the evade kick, it’s essential to also use your head movement. Avoid remaining stationary after the evasion; slip your head off-center or lean back to avoid any strikes coming from your opponent while you kick.
  • Elbow Position:
    Make sure your elbows are tucked in during the evade kick to protect your ribs. Flaring elbows can expose your body to strikes and compromise your defense.

  • Immediate Counterattack:
    Once the evade kick is completed, quickly reset your guard. If the kick lands or if the opponent is off-balance, immediately follow up with a cross, hook, elbow, or knee, depending on the situation. The evade kick should flow into your next attack, keeping the pressure on the opponent.
  • Retreat or Reposition:
    After executing the kick, be prepared to either step back, pivot, or move forward, depending on the opponent’s response. You should be able to continue with your offensive or defensive plan.
  • Check for Openings:
    As you reset your position after the evade kick, check for openings in your opponent’s guard. Use their momentary vulnerability to follow up with an additional strike or another technique.

  • Overcommitting to the Kick:
    One common mistake is overcommitting to the kick after the evasion. This can leave you off-balance and open to counterattacks. Make sure the kick is fluid and controlled, not overly wild.
  • Dropping the Guard:
    Dropping your rear hand or lead hand after executing the kick can expose you to follow-up attacks. Always keep your hands up and ready to defend against counters.
  • Poor Timing:
    Timing is crucial. If you evade too early or too late, the kick will not be effective, and you may still get hit by the incoming strike. Focus on evading at the perfect moment and striking at the right angle.
  • Static Movement:
    Avoid being too predictable or staying stationary after the evasion. Always be ready to move or reposition, whether to avoid further attacks or to continue attacking.

  • Feinting the Evade Kick:
    At an advanced level, the evade kick can be used as a feint to bait your opponent into throwing an attack. Pretend to evade and kick in a way that draws out your opponent’s response. This sets up an opening for a follow-up attack, such as a hook or knee.
  • Changing Angles During the Evade Kick:
    You can change your angle of attack while executing the evade kick. Instead of just stepping back or to the side, consider using a diagonal movement, which makes you a more difficult target and can create better striking angles.
  • Using the Evade Kick for Entry:
    The evade kick can also be used as a setup for entering the clinch or closing the distance after the opponent has committed to a strike. Once you’ve evaded their attack, you can enter the clinch to control the fight or land knees.

The Evade Kick is an essential technique in Muay Thai, allowing you to evade incoming strikes while countering with your own kick. Proper timing, footwork, and balance are critical to executing this technique effectively. After evading the attack, always be ready to follow up with a counter or reset your position for defense. Avoid common mistakes like overcommitting or dropping your guard, and use advanced techniques like feinting and angle changes to keep your opponent on the defensive. By mastering the evade kick, you can neutralize attacks and create opportunities for your own offense in the ring.