Knee (strike)

Knee strike

Knee (strike) is a martial arts and combat sports technique that involves using the knee to strike an opponent. This technique is prevalent in many martial arts and combat sports, including Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Krav Maga, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The knee strike is considered one of the most powerful and effective close-range weapons in a fighter's arsenal due to the knee's ability to generate significant force in a short distance.

Techniques

The knee strike can be delivered in several ways, depending on the martial art or combat sport. The most common techniques include:

• Straight Knee (or Front Knee): A direct strike to the opponent's body or head, usually performed when facing the opponent.
• Roundhouse Knee: Delivered in a circular motion, often targeting the opponent's sides.
• Flying Knee: A dynamic and powerful move where the attacker jumps towards the opponent to deliver the knee strike, often aimed at the head or chest.
• Side Knee: A knee strike delivered from the side, useful in clinch fighting to attack the body or thighs.

Usage in Combat Sports and Martial Arts

In Muay Thai, the knee strike is a fundamental technique and is used extensively, both in the clinch and at range. Fighters train to deliver powerful knee strikes to various parts of the opponent's body, including the abdomen, ribs, and head. The effectiveness of knee strikes in Muay Thai has led to their widespread adoption in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), where they are used both in stand-up fighting and on the ground.

In MMA, knee strikes are versatile tools. Fighters use them to damage opponents in the clinch, to finish opponents on the ground, or to intercept opponents attempting to close the distance. The rules regarding knee strikes vary between organizations, with some allowing knee strikes to the head of a grounded opponent and others prohibiting them.

Krav Maga, a self-defense system developed for the Israel Defense Forces, incorporates knee strikes as part of its close-quarters combat techniques. Given the system's focus on real-world situations, knee strikes are taught as effective means to neutralize threats quickly.

Legal and Safety Considerations

The legality of knee strikes varies significantly across different combat sports and martial arts competitions. For instance, in most professional boxing competitions, knee strikes are illegal. In contrast, they are a staple technique in Muay Thai and MMA. Safety equipment, such as knee pads, may be used during training to reduce the risk of injury.

In Popular Culture

Knee strikes have been popularized in films and video games, often depicted as devastating moves used by fighters to achieve victory. Their dramatic visual appeal and real-world effectiveness have made them a favorite technique in action sequences.

See Also

• Martial arts techniques
• Striking (martial arts)
• Clinch fighting
• Self-defense