1. Stance (Muay Thai Guard/Ready Position)

• Foot Position:
  Stand in your standard Muay Thai stance with your lead foot forward. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, weight balanced on the balls of your feet for quick movements.
• Knees and Hips:
  Keep your knees slightly bent and your hips aligned with your center of gravity. This helps you stay stable while preparing to execute the strike.
• Hands/Guard:
  Your hands should be in a high guard position. The lead hand is slightly forward, and the rear hand protects your face. Chin remains tucked to avoid exposure.

---

2. Preparation (Chambering the Knee)

• Weight Shift:
  Transfer your weight onto your lead leg. This creates stability and allows the rear leg (the striking leg) to lift smoothly.
• Engaging the Core:
  Tighten your core to generate power and maintain balance as you prepare to thrust the knee upward.
• Guard Adjustment:
  Slightly extend your lead hand forward as you prepare to throw the knee. This helps control distance or frame against your opponent.

---

3. The Strike (Executing the Straight Knee)

1. Step 1 – Drive the Knee Forward and Up:
   • Lift your rear knee directly upward, aiming to strike with the point of your knee.
   • Extend your hips forward as you thrust the knee to maximize power.
2. Step 2 – Maintain Balance:
   • Keep your weight over your standing leg. Avoid leaning back or forward excessively to prevent loss of balance.
3. Step 3 – Guard Position:
   • Keep your hands active; your rear hand should stay near your face for protection while the lead hand can control your opponent’s position by framing or grabbing.

---

4. Defensive Positioning During the Strike

• Head and Chin:
  Keep your chin tucked and head slightly off-center to avoid counters.
• Guard Recovery:
  Immediately return your hands to a high guard position after completing the strike.

---

5. Follow-Up and Recovery

1. Reset to Stance:
   • After striking, bring your knee back and return your rear foot to its original position in your stance.
2. Counter Opportunities:
   • Use the straight knee as part of a combination. Follow up with a clinch, elbow, or kick depending on the situation.

---

---

Version 2: Step-In (Advancing) Straight Knee

---

1. Stance (Muay Thai Guard/Ready Position)

• The stance is the same as described for the stationary straight knee.

---

2. Preparation (Chambering the Knee)

• Step-In Movement:
  Push off your rear foot to step your lead foot forward, closing the distance to your opponent. This step creates momentum for a more powerful knee strike.
• Weight Shift:
  As you step in, shift your weight onto your lead foot, keeping your core engaged for balance and power.
• Hand Control:
  Use your hands to frame or grab your opponent’s neck, shoulders, or guard for added control and precision.

---

3. The Strike (Executing the Step-In Straight Knee)

1. Step 1 – Generate Momentum:
   • Use the forward motion from your step-in to add force to the knee.
2. Step 2 – Thrust the Knee Forward:
   • Drive your rear knee upward and forward with a powerful thrust. Aim to strike with the sharp point of your knee into the opponent’s midsection or solar plexus.
3. Step 3 – Control with Hands:
   • Use your hands to pull the opponent into the strike if you’re in a clinch or control their upper body to ensure the knee lands cleanly.

---

4. Defensive Positioning During the Strike

• Guard Recovery:
  After completing the strike, ensure your hands return to a defensive position. Maintain awareness of potential counters.
• Posture Maintenance:
  Avoid leaning excessively forward or backward. Maintain your center of gravity for balance and readiness.

---

5. Follow-Up and Recovery

1. Return to Stance:
   • After striking, reset your position by bringing your rear foot back into your original stance.
2. Counter Opportunities:
   • From the step-in straight knee, transition smoothly into clinch control, follow with elbows, or disengage to reset for further attacks.

---

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid (Both Versions)

1. Leaning Too Far Back or Forward:
   • This can destabilize your balance and reduce the power of your strike.
2. Dropping the Guard:
   • Avoid letting your hands drop when throwing the knee. Always maintain defensive awareness.
3. Telegraphing the Strike:
   • Lifting your leg too slowly or stepping too obviously can give your opponent time to react.
4. Insufficient Hip Engagement:
   • Neglecting to drive your hips forward reduces the power of the knee. Always engage your hips fully for maximum impact.

---

Advanced Concepts for the Straight Knee

• Knee Feint:
  • Fake a straight knee to bait your opponent into reacting, then follow up with another strike.
• Targeting:
  • Adjust the angle of your knee to strike different areas, such as the ribs, liver, or chin, depending on the opening.
• Combo Setups:
  • Use the straight knee as part of a combination, such as a jab-cross followed by a step-in straight knee, or integrate it into clinch work.

---

Conclusion

The straight knee is a versatile and powerful technique in Muay Thai, effective both at close range and when stepping in to close distance. Whether executed stationary or with a step-in, it relies on precise targeting, hip engagement, and balance. Incorporating this strike into your arsenal enhances both your offensive capabilities and your ability to counter aggressive opponents.