Flying Knee
- Striking
- Knees
- advanced
- Orthodox stance
- 4 steps
A long-range knee launched by jumping into the opponent to drive the knee into the body or head. Also known as the Khao Loi or the Jumping knee. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 4 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.
When to use it
Use the flying knee when the opponent ducks their head, changes levels or walks straight forward. A jab or a feint to the body that brings their head down sets it up. It also works when they back up against the ropes or cage with nowhere to go.
Step by step
- 01
Set your stance
Measure the distance. The flying knee covers ground from range.
- 02
Step and load
Take a penetrating step off the rear leg to load the jump toward the target.
- 03
Launch the knee
Jump off the base leg, drive the lead knee up and forward into the target and cycle the other leg up behind for height.
- 04
Land in stance
Land balanced, hands up, ready to follow up or reset.
Key details
- Cover the distance with a committed step before you jump.
- Drive the knee up and through. Do not just hop in place.
- Keep the hands up; you are airborne and exposed.
Common mistakes
- Jumping from too far and landing short.
- Throwing it without a setup, so it is easily timed.
- Dropping the hands and getting countered out of the air.
Common counters
Opponents time the jump with a straight punch, step off the line, or catch you in the air and take you down. A flying knee from too far lands short and leaves you exposed. Commit only when the distance is right.
How to drill it
Your partner holds a Thai pad at chest height and lowers it as they step forward; launch the knee as the pad drops. Do three sets of six, landing balanced and ready to punch after each one.
Related techniques
- Straight KneeStrikingA straight knee driven up the centre into the body, the workhorse strike of the clinch.
- Diagonal / Curving KneeStrikingA knee that curves up and across into the ribs from the side of a tight clinch.
- JabStrikingThe lead-hand straight punch: your range-finder, rhythm-setter and the setup for everything else.
- CrossStrikingThe rear-hand straight punch: your primary power shot, driven by rotating the hip and pivoting the rear foot.
- Lead HookStrikingA short horizontal lead-hand punch that turns through the side of the target on the pivot of the hips.
- Rear HookStrikingA power hook from the rear hand, turning the whole body to land on the side of the head.
Train it with the AI coach