Saturday, November 24, 2007


Knee techniques (dhee kao)
English Thai Transliteration
Straight Knee Strike =Kao Dhrong
Diagonal Knee Strike =Kao Chijang
Curving Knee Strike =Kao Kouwng
Horizontal Knee Strike =Kao Dhad
Knee Slap =Kao Dhob
Knee Bomb =Kao Youwn
Flying Knee Strike =Kao Loy
Step-Up Knee Strike= Kao Yiep

Kao Dode (Jumping knee strike) - the Thai boxer jumps up on one leg and strikes with that leg's knee.
Kao Loi (Flying knee strike) - the Thai boxer takes step(s), jumps forward and off one leg and strikes with that leg's knee.
Kao Tone (Straight knee strike) - the Thai boxer simply thrusts it forward (not upwards, unless he is holding an opponents head down in a clinch and intend to knee upwards into the face). According to one written source, this technique is somewhat more recent than Kao Dode or Kao Loi.[citation needed] Supposedly, when the Thai boxers fought with rope-bound hands rather than the modern boxing gloves, this particular technique was subject to potentially vicious cutting, slicing and sawing by an alert opponent who would block it or deflect it with the sharp "rope-glove" edges which are sometimes dipped in water to make the rope much stronger. This explanation also holds true for some of the following knee strikes below as well.
Kao Noi (Small knee strike) - the Thai boxer hits the inside upper thigh (above the knee) of the opponent when clinching. This technique is used to wear down the opponent or to counter the opponent's knee strike or kick.

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