BASIC KNEES
Straight Knee – The straight knee is a knee that is utilized when a fighter is closing the distance and going in for the attack. In order to effectively land a straight knee, you need to ensure that you are good at timing and distance. If your knee is too short you will be right in front of your opponent after the strike.
Diagonal Knee – The diagonal knee comes from a diagonal and does not come straight at a target. The target for the diagonal knees is usually towards the side of an opponent. Diagonal knees are one of the most common knees that are used in Muay Thai.
Side Knee – Side knees are performed in the clinch position and generally used to score points in a fight. The target is the side of the ribs of the opponent. If an opponent is much taller than you can use a flying knee to attack the legs of your opponent. Striking the legs of your opponent with your knees is a great way to weaken is legs for the fight.
Curving Knee – The curving knee is performed in the clinch position. It generates momentum by coming up and around going into an opponent’s side. These knees are very effective but you should be careful an opponent doesn’t off balance you when you throw the knee strike.
ADVANCED KNEES
Jumping Knee – Jumping knees are knee strikes that are designed to attack the head of an opponent. With a jumping knee, you step up into the knee and gain elevation with the momentum. The jumping knee is an attack that can have great impact if you can land it into an opponent.
Flying Knee – Unlike the jumping knee which you jump up to knee, the flying knee is taken in one step jump towards a target. The flying knee is performed by switching your step and leaping forward with the rear leg to strike from the back. The switch momentum provides the impact needed to land the knee on an opponent. The flying knee is often done as a follow-up final sequence in a chained attack when the opponent is pushed backwards and off balance, usually when up against the rope.
Step up Knee – The step up knee is a technique that is performed while stepping up on an opponent’s leg to allow you to jump onto their knee. This is more of a Muay Boran technique because it is difficult to perform in a match.