Learn the Basic Muay Thai Kicks | Basic Moves as a Beginner

Muay Thai, known as the “Art of Eight Limbs,” demands you excel in a few kicks, including push kick, roundhouse kick, axe kick, low kick, switch kick, jumping kick, and more. For fighters, kicks are the most popular attacks used in Muay Thai bouts. 

Mastering these kicks is important for self-defense, ring performance, and even fitness. While learning these techniques, you must always wear proper Muay Thai gear such as mouth guard, groin protector, gloves, and shin guards. By using the correct muscles and body mechanics, a Muay Thai fighter can deliver kicks that can incapacitate an opponent. 

What are the Best Muay Thai Kicks for Beginners?

Roundhouse kick is one of the most commonly used and efficient kicks in Muay Thai. In the execution of the roundhouse kick, the “Recoil phase” accounted for 69% of the movement, followed by the Chamber (14%), Extension (11%), and Preparation (6%) phases, making it highly effective. But the list is not limited only to roundhouse kicks. 

Here are some of the most effective Muay Thai kicks that a beginner can learn to add versatility and deception to a fighter’s repertoire. 

1- Push Kick (Teep)

Target Areas: Stomach, chest, or even face

Technique: Push up on the ball of your post foot, raise your knee high towards your chest, and extend your leg forward. Your foot should hit the target with the ball of the foot for maximum impact.

The roundhouse kick is used as both a defensive and offensive move in martial arts, with a high success rate in stopping aggressive moves. With the force generated through a rotational movement from the hips, a well-executed roundhouse kick can generate up to 1,000 pounds of force. Its primary purpose is to maintain distance and push an opponent off balance. In high-level competition, it’s used 5-10 times per round to disrupt the rhythm and regain control. 

2- Roundhouse Kick (Teh)

Target Areas: Legs, body, head

Technique: Focus on rotating your hips and pivoting on your supporting leg. The aim is to generate maximum force by turning your body, not just using your leg. Keep your arms loose for balance.

You cannot be a Muay Thai pro until you master a roundhouse kick known for its power, using the shin to strike with a rotational force generated from the hips. This kick can generate up to 1,000 pounds of force which is 2.9 more than that of side kick, making it one of the deadliest strikes in this combat sport. This kick is highly effective for body shots or head strikes, often used to wear down opponents or to conclude fights.

3- Axe Kick (Teh Khao)

Target Areas: Head, shoulders, collarbone

Technique: Lift your leg straight up as high as possible, then bring your heel down onto the target, using gravity to increase the impact. It is critical to maintain balance and avoid over-committing.

The axe kick is a powerful Muay Thai weapon where the leg is swung high and brought down onto the opponent like an axe. It’s most effective when the opponent is crouched or after a slip. Though powerful, it leaves the user vulnerable if the kick misses. Generally used as a finishing move or in situations where the opponent is stunned or off-balance.

4- Diagonal Kick (Teh Wiang)

Target Areas: Ribs, arms, legs

Technique: Focus on striking at a 45-degree angle with your shin, aiming for the ribs or legs. Keep your hips open, and don’t rotate as much as you would with a traditional roundhouse.

The diagonal kick in Thai boxing is a hybrid between a round kick and a straight kick, making it more deceptive. This Muay Thai kick comes at a diagonal angle, targeting either the body or legs. It’s highly effective for bypassing an opponent’s guard and landing clean strikes to the midsection.

5- Low Kick (Teh Low)

Target Areas: Thigh and calves

Technique: The key to a strong low kick is hitting the right spot on the thigh, just above the knee where the quadriceps muscle is vulnerable. This ensures maximum impact and effectiveness.

The basic low kick in Muay Thai is used to weaken an opponent’s legs, shaking their movement and reducing the striking power. Repeated low kicks can reduce an opponent’s mobility by 30-40%, impairing their ability to continue. A well-executed low kick can generate a force of over 1,200 pounds, enough to cause great pain and potential muscle damage. 

6- Switch Kick

Target Areas: Body, legs, and head

Technique: Quickly switch your stance by stepping the rear foot forward and drawing the lead foot back, then quickly get on a kick with the new rear leg. 

The switch kick is performed by quickly switching the lead leg and delivering a kick with the opposite leg. This change in stance quickly catches opponents off guard. The switch in stance takes only 0.3-0.5 seconds, making the attack both quick and unexpected. With up to 75% of the force of a full rear-leg roundhouse kick and deceptive nature make it ideal for surprising the opponent and landing powerful strikes. Master it on a durable Muay Thai kick pad to get the winning edge in the game. 

7- Kradot Chok (Jumping Punch)

Target Areas: Head and chin

Technique: While this is technically a punch, Kradot Chok involves jumping and delivering a powerful punch. It’s a unique move in Muay Thai that combines agility and power.

The Kradot Chok is often referred to as the Superman Punch due to its dynamic execution. It was made popular in modern combat sports like MMA, but its roots lie in Muay Thai, where agility and power are key. Fighters use the jump to feint or close distance, adding force to their punch while confusing the opponent by disguising their intent. The Kradot Chok has a higher knockout rate when executed against an opponent who is retreating or already on the defensive. This is because retreating opponents often lower their guard, expecting a different kind of attack. 

Conclusion

For many elite Muay Thai athletes, knowing the basic Muay Thai kicking forms the cornerstone of their prowess, making them undefeated opponents in the ring. The path to success in this combat sport, whether in local martial arts club matches or the arenas of Lumpinee Stadium demands the mastery of Muay Thai kicking techniques. These Muay Thai kicks are important for any beginner or professional fighter looking to strengthen their combat skills. Continued training and guidance under experienced coaches can help aspirants refine these skills, ensuring they are well-prepared to grasp their training in any fight scenario.

Equip your team with custom Muay Thai gloves and other protective equipment from a Muay Thai gear manufacturer, and let them practice the basic to advanced kicks smoothly.  

FAQs

Which kick is illegal in Muay Thai boxing?

The cartwheel kicks are illegal under traditional Muay Thai rules because you cannot kick with your glove touching the mat.

How to learn Muay Thai kicks?

To learn Muay Thai kicks effectively, start with basic drills like Heavy Bag Roundhouse Drills and Low Kick Drills to build power and precision. Additionally, practice the Turning the Wheel and Kicking Balance Heavy Bag Drills to enhance your technique and balance.

What is the most difficult Muay Thai kick?

The Roundhouse Kick (Te Chiang) is considered one of the most challenging Muay Thai kicks due to its requirement for precise timing, power, and technique.