Straight Knee

  • Striking
  • Knees
  • fundamental
  • Clinch
  • 3 steps

A straight knee driven up the centre into the body, the workhorse strike of the clinch. Also known as the Khao Trong or the Straight knee strike. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.

Step by step

  1. 01

    Lock the clinch

    Secure a double collar tie or body lock and pull the opponent in and down.

    Straight Knee step 1 of 3: Lock the clinch
  2. 02

    Drive the knee up

    Push off the ground with the base leg, thrust the hips forward and drive the rear knee straight up into the body while pulling them onto it.

    Straight Knee step 2 of 3: Drive the knee up
  3. 03

    Reset the clinch

    Plant the leg back and re-pummel for control before the next knee.

    Straight Knee step 3 of 3: Reset the clinch

Key details

  • Pull them onto the knee with the clinch as you thrust the hip.
  • Strike with the point of the knee.
  • Push off the ground and extend the hip, power is in the hips, not the leg.

Common mistakes

  • Kneeing without pulling them in, so it lands soft.
  • Leaning back too far and losing the clinch.
  • Striking with the thigh instead of the knee point.

Related techniques

See it animated in DARCE

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