subject: Muay Thai Leg Kick Setups [print this page] Muay Thai Leg Kick Setups Muay Thai Leg Kick Setups
In this latest video instructional, "The MMA Performance Professor," Stephen Whittier of Nexus Martial Arts & Fitness in Wareham, MA details several high-percentage setups for the devastatingly effective Muay Thai leg kick, often used in both Thai boxing and Mixed Martial Arts.
In each sequence, Coach Whittier sets up the Thai leg kick with a high-low combination, meaning that his head-level punches serve to set up the low kicks to the opponent's thighs.
A Kru (honorific title for Teacher) in the highly technical style of Sityodtong Muay Thai, Coach Whittier demonstrates each set up is with optimal technical efficiency, distance, and timing in mind.
First, he explains setting up the right rear leg kick by finishing his hand combination with a long lead hook. Even if the hook does not "score" by striking his opponent in the head/face, the idea is to knock the opponent's weight momentarily onto his lead leg so that he cannot defend the leg kick that follows the punches.
In the second series, he demonstrates the common jab-cross-rear leg kick setup. Although a relatively simple combination once the technique is there, the striker must still be conscious of angling the upper body offline stepping into the kick so as not to be open for counter strikes by his opponent.
In the final series, Coach Whittier shows an effective tactic for disguising the leg kick. Here he ends his punch combination with a cross, but instead of retracting the cross he holds his arm out straight, keeping the glove in his opponents face and creating a frame. Maintaining the stiff arm, he takes a couple of running steps forward (driving the opponent back two steps in the process) before angling off and finishing with the leg kick. This is not only an effective way to set up the kick, it also can take the opponent by surprise and being driven backward with the frame in his face makes it difficult to defend.
For more information, visit http://www.NexusMa.com
