There could be a million different articles written on all the smallest details that go into this one technique but I am going to focus on the general “do’s” of executing this devastating kick.
Start with your stance:
In Muay Thai boxing there is a particular stance you must assume to effectively execute all “eight limbs.” If you don’t have this to begin with everything else suffers (instead of your opponent.)
Stand with your hips almost completely square to your opponent. The back foot should point 45 degrees away from your centerline. The lead foot should also be pointing away from your centerline 45 degrees (opposite direction of the back foot.) Your feet should be about shoulder width apart. Make sure you stay on your toes and aren’t flat-footed.
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Stand with your knees slightly bent (always ready to “check” a kick) and your weight is equally distributed between both feet. Lift your shoulders up and tilt your head forward so that you are leading with your forehead and your chin is between the walls made by your shoulders. The palms of your hands should be facing your opponent and well in front of your face. Make sure your elbows are pointing straight down.
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The actual kick:
As you step your lead leg about 45 degrees forward, also turn your knee out so that you are stretching your hip flexors. This initial step will prime your kick for maximum centrifugal force. Keep this lead foot on its toe or else you’ll be trying to pivot flat-footed which will probably end up in a ligament tear.
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As you distribute your weight onto the lead foot, push off the back leg you’ll be kicking with. Turn your upper body and let your kicking leg follow your upper body’s motion. If you try to lead with the kicking leg, your power and range stop halfway through the kick. You want to spin on your supporting leg, that’s where the power is coming from. Think of yourself swinging a baseball bat into the bag or opponent and then you will understand how this kick is supposed to flow. Also, make sure you are making contact with your lower shin. My Kru, Sean Douglas from Chalong Chi gym in Phuket, Thailand would say that the shin is like the Thai sword, thickest at the bottom of the blade and thinnest and sharpest at the top. You cut with the sharp, top portion and block with the thick, bottom portion of the sword. Well, think of your shins as swords point-side down and blade-side out.
Author’s note: A couple of mistakes to point out in this photo; make sure your lead hand
is in the opponent’s face as you are performing this technique. That
will keep him/her from advancing on you while you are kicking. Also, make sure you are spinning on your toe! If you are flat-footed, not only do you lose power but you also risk a ligament tear in your knee.
I am assuming that you are practicing this technique on a bag so I won’t waste time with how we spin and leg check after executing the kick while shadowboxing but I will share this; in a fight or sparring match don’t spin all the way around. If you make contact then the opponent’s body will stop you from spinning but if you miss immediately bring the leg down and execute a side kick or a tip (push) kick on your advancing opponent. Spinning all the way around will just get you caught
Leo
