1. Stance (Muay Thai Guard/Ready Position)
- Foot Position:
Start in your Muay Thai stance, keeping your feet shoulder-width apart. If you are orthodox, your left foot should be forward, and if you are southpaw, your right foot should be forward. Distribute your weight onto the balls of your feet to maintain balance and allow for quick movements. - Knees and Hips:
Keep your knees slightly bent for flexibility and balance. Your hips should remain aligned with your body’s center of gravity for better mobility and stability. - Hands/Guard:
Your lead hand should be near your face to guard your chin and jaw. Your rear hand should also stay near your face to protect your upper body. Keep your elbows tucked to protect your ribs, and slightly angle your head to make it harder for your opponent to land clean strikes.
2. Setting Up the Parry Long Knee Inside (Preparation)
- Positioning the Hands:
Your rear hand should remain high, ready to deflect the incoming knee. This hand will be used to parry the knee inside, redirecting it away from your body. - Footwork:
Be prepared to pivot or slightly adjust your foot position. Depending on the situation, you might need to shift your weight or angle your body slightly to ensure the parry is clean and efficient.
3. Executing the Parry Long Knee Inside (The Defense and Attack)
- Step 1 – Timing the Parry:
As your opponent throws their long knee, time the parry to deflect the strike to the inside. Use your rear hand (right hand for orthodox) to push the opponent’s knee inward, away from your centerline. - Step 2 – Contact with the Forearm or Hands:
The contact point for the parry should be the outside of your forearm or the edge of your hand. You want to meet the knee with a deflecting motion, not blocking it head-on. The goal is to redirect the knee towards the inside, taking it off its intended trajectory while keeping your balance. - Step 3 – Redirecting the Knee:
After contact, make sure to push the knee inward, using the strength of your forearm and hand to push it away from your body. Avoid being too stiff or rigid during the parry; it should be fluid and controlled. - Step 4 – Follow-Up with a Counterattack:
Once the knee is deflected, quickly look for an opportunity to counterattack. The parry opens up openings for follow-up strikes, such as a jab, cross, or elbow. If the opponent is off-balance from the knee strike, you can capitalize on their vulnerable position.
4. Footwork During the Parry Long Knee Inside
- Pivoting:
While executing the parry, pivot on your rear foot to maintain balance and help redirect the force of the knee. This pivot also allows you to get into a more advantageous position to follow up with a counterattack. - Weight Transfer:
As you perform the parry, your weight should shift slightly from your lead foot to your rear foot. This weight transfer will help you stay balanced and prepare you for the next move. - Step or Slide:
Depending on your position, you may need to step or slide your lead foot backward or laterally. This helps maintain distance or gives you a better angle to attack or defend.
5. Defensive Considerations During the Parry Long Knee Inside
- Guard Position:
After executing the parry, always return your rear hand back to your face to maintain your guard. Dropping your guard after a parry leaves your chin exposed to potential counters, such as hooks or elbows. - Head Movement:
After performing the parry, use head movement to evade any follow-up attacks. A subtle slip or duck can make you less predictable and harder to hit, allowing you to recover quickly and counterattack. - Elbow Position:
Keep your elbow tucked in when performing the parry. A flared elbow can expose your ribs and make you more vulnerable to attacks. Tucking the elbow keeps your defense tight and your parry more controlled.
6. Counterattacking After the Parry Long Knee Inside
- Immediate Counterstrike:
After successfully parrying the knee, look for an immediate counterattack. You can follow up with a jab, cross, or hook while your opponent is off-balance. The parry should create an opening for you to strike back before your opponent can recover. - Low Kick:
A quick low kick can be an effective follow-up after parrying the knee. Your opponent’s weight may be shifted forward during the knee strike, leaving their lead leg vulnerable. A low kick can destabilize them and create an opening for further attacks. - Elbow:
Another powerful follow-up could be an elbow to the head or body. If your opponent is leaning forward after their knee, they may be vulnerable to a well-placed elbow from your rear hand. Use your momentum after the parry to set up the elbow.
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overextending the Parry:
Avoid overextending your parry. If you reach too far with your arm, you risk losing balance or missing the target. The parry should be a sharp, controlled movement rather than a wide, sweeping motion. - Dropping the Rear Hand:
After performing the parry, always return your rear hand to your guard position. Dropping your guard leaves your chin exposed and allows your opponent to counter with hooks or uppercuts. - Not Following Through:
A parry is only effective if you follow up with a counterattack. Don’t just focus on deflecting the knee—capitalize on the opening by throwing a punch, elbow, or kick. Follow-through is essential for maintaining offensive pressure. - Not Using Footwork:
After parrying, don’t just stay static. Use footwork to adjust your position, whether it’s to advance, retreat, or change angles. Footwork is key in staying out of range for counterattacks and positioning yourself for your next strike.
8. Advanced Concepts for Parry Long Knee Inside
- Feinting the Parry:
At an advanced level, the parry can be used as a feint to draw out a reaction from your opponent. By feinting the parry, you can get them to commit to an attack, which creates openings for a counterstrike or more aggressive offense. - Angling the Parry:
Instead of using a straight, inward deflection, you can angle your body slightly to the side after the parry. This makes you harder to hit and can create openings for strikes from different angles, such as hooks or elbows. - Setting Up for the Clinch:
The parry can also serve as a setup for the clinch. After deflecting the knee, you can immediately close the distance and enter the clinch to control your opponent’s posture. From there, you can deliver knee strikes or initiate a throw.
Conclusion
The Parry Long Knee Inside is an essential defensive tool in Muay Thai that helps you deflect your opponent’s knee while protecting your body and creating opportunities for counterattacks. By using precise timing, proper footwork, and following up with strong strikes, you can neutralize the knee attack and take control of the fight. Avoid common mistakes such as overextending the parry or dropping your guard, and always capitalize on the openings created by the parry to counterattack. Advanced concepts like feinting, angling, and transitioning into a clinch further enhance the effectiveness of this defense.