Title: Striking Techniques: Punches, Kicks, Elbows & Knees | DARCE Canonical: https://darce.app/techniques/striking > Every striking technique in the DARCE app: punches, kicks, knees, elbows, combinations and defence, broken into steps with key details and common mistakes. # Striking Techniques: Every Punch, Kick, Elbow & Knee Explained Striking techniques from the DARCE app, covering the boxing fundamentals, the kicks and knees of Muay Thai and kickboxing, and the combinations that link them. Each technique is broken into steps with the key details that generate power and the mistakes that leave you open. 31 techniques · 6 categories Search every technique ## Punches 9 techniques - [Jab fundamental The lead-hand straight punch: your range-finder, rhythm-setter and the setup for everything else.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/jab) - [Cross fundamental The rear-hand straight punch: your primary power shot, driven by rotating the hip and pivoting the rear foot.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/cross) - [Lead Hook intermediate A short horizontal lead-hand punch that turns through the side of the target on the pivot of the hips.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/lead-hook) - [Rear Hook intermediate A power hook from the rear hand, turning the whole body to land on the side of the head.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/rear-hook) - [Lead Uppercut intermediate A short rising lead-hand punch up the centre, ideal inside the pocket against a high guard.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/lead-uppercut) - [Rear Uppercut intermediate A rising rear-hand punch up the centre, driven by a small dip and a powerful leg drive.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/rear-uppercut) - [Overhand intermediate A looping rear-hand power punch that arcs over the opponent’s guard and crashes down on the head.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/overhand) - [Liver Shot (Body Hook) intermediate A lead hook dug into the body below the ribs: a fight-ending shot that drains the gas tank.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/liver-shot) - [Spinning Backfist advanced A spinning strike that lands the back of the fist, generating power from the rotation of the body.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/spinning-backfist) ## Kicks 10 techniques - [Rear Roundhouse Kick fundamental A whipping rear-leg kick that drives the shin through the target via full hip rotation.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/rear-roundhouse) - [Switch Kick intermediate A lead-leg roundhouse set up by a quick stance switch to generate rear-leg power.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/switch-kick) - [Low Kick fundamental A rear roundhouse aimed at the thigh or calf to chop the base out from under the opponent.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/low-kick) - [Calf Kick intermediate A low roundhouse that chops the shin into the outside of the calf, attacking the peroneal nerve to buckle the leg.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/calf-kick) - [Inside Low Kick intermediate A fast lead-leg kick that snaps up into the inner thigh to buckle the opponent’s base.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/inside-low-kick) - [Teep (Push Kick) fundamental A straight push-kick with the lead leg that controls distance and stops forward pressure.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/teep) - [Side Kick intermediate A linear thrust kick driving the heel straight into the target with the body bladed sideways.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/side-kick) - [Axe Kick advanced A kick that swings the leg high and drops the heel straight down onto the head or collarbone.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/axe-kick) - [Spinning Back Kick advanced A spinning thrust kick that drives the heel straight back into the target like a mule kick.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/spinning-back-kick) - [Spinning Hook Kick advanced A spinning kick that whips the heel horizontally across the target at head height.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/spinning-hook-kick) ## Knees 3 techniques - [Straight Knee fundamental A straight knee driven up the centre into the body, the workhorse strike of the clinch.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/straight-knee) - [Diagonal / Curving Knee intermediate A knee that curves up and across into the ribs from the side of a tight clinch.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/diagonal-knee) - [Flying Knee advanced A long-range knee launched by jumping into the opponent to drive the knee into the body or head.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/flying-knee) ## Elbows 5 techniques - [Horizontal Elbow intermediate A lead elbow swung horizontally across the jaw, the most common cutting elbow.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/horizontal-elbow) - [Diagonal Elbow intermediate A lead elbow that slashes downward on a diagonal across the brow, a classic cutter.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/diagonal-elbow) - [Uppercut Elbow intermediate An elbow driven straight up the centre under the chin from inside the pocket.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/uppercut-elbow) - [Downward Elbow advanced An elbow raised high and speared straight down onto the crown or face.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/downward-elbow) - [Spinning Back Elbow advanced A spinning strike that lands the point of the rear elbow across the head as the body unwinds.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/spinning-back-elbow) ## Combinations 3 techniques - [Jab-Cross (1-2) fundamental The foundational straight-punch combination: lead-hand jab into rear-hand cross.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/jab-cross) - [Jab-Cross-Hook (1-2-3) intermediate The classic three-punch combination chaining straight punches into a turning lead hook.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/jab-cross-hook) - [Jab-Cross-Low Kick intermediate A kickboxing staple: punches up high to freeze the hands, then a low kick to the legs.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/jab-cross-lowkick) ## Defense 1 technique - [Slip & Counter Cross intermediate Move the head off the centre-line to avoid a straight punch, then return fire with the cross.](https://darce.app/techniques/striking/slip-cross) Train it with the AI coach - [AI MMA Coach Striking, wrestling and grappling, read as one fight.](https://darce.app/ai-mma-coach) - [AI Boxing Coach Punch selection, defense and movement, round by round.](https://darce.app/ai-boxing-coach) - [AI Muay Thai Coach Punches, kicks, knees, elbows and the clinch.](https://darce.app/ai-muay-thai-coach) - [AI Kickboxing Coach Combinations, kicks and the defense between them.](https://darce.app/ai-kickboxing-coach)