Muay Thai Cherng Khao 11 Cherng (the tricks of knees)
02/11 YOK NANG : Swinging-knees
The boxer turns the body to the right and throws the left knee in the action of the swinging-knee-kick to the opponent's rib. This trick is used for defense when the opponent attacks close to the body.
To protect : sway the body to the right and pull down to guard the ribs,
To counter: throw the left knee to the right rib of the opponent or to the abdomen. If the boxer is a left handed fighter, reverse the descriptions from right to left.
- The front roundhouse knee kick or 'Yok Nang' is a powerful move during which a boxer channels the momentum of his spinning body into his knee creating a devastating impact when performed correctly and accurately. When using the right knee, the basic motion is in a left-inwardly direction. The opposite direction applies when using the left knee. The front roundhouse knee kick normally targets the opponent's rib cage.
- There are two variants of this kick, differentiated by the movement involved. First, there is the diagonal knee. It is characterized by a diagonal movement of the knee from the standing position to the point of impact. When using the left knee the target will be hit on the right side and vice versa for the right knee. Second, there is the horizontal knee. In this movement, the knee, calf, and foot should be parallel to the floor. As with the diagonal knee, the left knee should impact the target on the right side and vice versa for the right knee.
Note : The difference between the basic roundhouse knee kick and the front roundhouse knee kick lies in where you want the knee to impact your opponent. For the roundhouse knee kick, the impact area is the upper thigh and the lower torso of the opponent. The target area is higher, at the chest of the opponent, for the front roundhouse knee kick. To reach this target, boxers must sway their bodies to the left (if using the right knee) while bending backward slightly. This will lift the knee, allowing it to hit the target much higher.
Training : To train this technique, trainees should stand about one step away from the sandbag or at a distance where the trainee feels comfortable and able to attack with the knee.
• Position 1 Move the left leg forward one step at an angle of 45 degrees.
• Position 2 To train for the diagonal knee, use the right foot to push the right leg upwards. Bend the right knee and turn quickly. Using the body's momentum, the knee will hit the sandbag at an angle forcefully. The quicker the body turns, the more powerful the impact. The same applies for the horizontal knee except that the knee, calf, and leg should be parallel to the floor and the impact on the sandbag should be directly from the side. Naturally, the direction is reversed for knee kicks using the left knee. Trainees should practice both sides.
Defend against the front roundhouse knee kick
1. Punch
2. Sway out of reach and return with a roundhouse knee kick.
3. Move back and return with a roundhouse knee kick.
4. Move to the side and return with a roundhouse knee kick.
5. Block and then push the opponent to the side and return with a roundhouse knee kick.
6. Block with the knee.
7. Hold, pull and roundhouse knee kick.
8. Do the roundhouse knee kick before or when the opponent is attempting to do the same.
