Defence
In Short
This page outlines three kickboxing defensive techniques: checking low kicks, catching and sweeping body kicks, and using the long guard. Checking low kicks involves turning the shin outward to punish the attacker, while catching and sweeping traps the leg to cause a fall. The long guard creates a physical frame to occupy space and prevent opponents from closing in.
Checking the Low Kick
BeginnerChecking turns the shin outward and lifts the knee so an incoming low kick lands bone against bone rather than bone against muscle. It is the only defence that actively punishes the attacker: a properly checked kick hurts the person who threw it more than the person who received it, and a fighter who checks consistently makes the low kick an unprofitable trade.
Catch and Sweep
IntermediateCatching a body kick and sweeping the standing leg turns the opponent's own committed technique into a fall. The catch itself is a scoop: the arm on the side the kick arrives goes under the shin, the elbow tucks, and the leg is trapped against the ribs. From there the sweep takes the supporting leg out with a step-through or a kick to the ankle while pulling the trapped leg across.
Long Guard
BeginnerThe long guard extends the lead arm toward the opponent's face with the elbow slightly bent and the palm turned in, creating a physical frame between the two fighters. It is a defensive structure rather than a strike, and its job is to occupy the space an opponent needs in order to close.
Frequently Asked
- How does checking a low kick work?
- Checking turns the shin outward and lifts the knee so the incoming kick lands bone against bone. This technique actively punishes the attacker, as a properly checked kick hurts the person who threw it more than the receiver.
- What is the proper way to catch and sweep a body kick?
- The catch is a scoop where the arm goes under the shin with the elbow tucked to trap the leg against the ribs. From there, a sweep takes the supporting leg out with a step-through or ankle kick while pulling the trapped leg across.
- What is the purpose of the long guard?
- The long guard extends the lead arm toward the opponent's face to create a physical frame between fighters. It serves as a defensive structure to occupy the space an opponent needs in order to close.