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Step 1
Clinch your opponent around his neck. Wrap both hands around the base of his skull and draw him toward you. This is the ideal position for throwing a knee in Muay Thai. The distance is perfect.
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Step 2
Pick your target. The head, ribs and thighs are all good choices. It depends on how far you are from your opponent in the clinch. If there is a lot of distance and your opponent is bending over, your can knee his head. If there is a small space between you, attack the ribs. If you are pressed close with little space to operate, the thighs are an effective target.
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Step 3
Push back slightly. Create enough space so you can wind up for the knee, but not so much that you lose your grip on your opponent's neck. The push-back helps you generate power for your knee.
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Step 4
Pull your opponent's neck toward you as you drive your knee into him. This takes advantage of a basic principle of the martial arts. A push and pull combined is more powerful than both separately. The pull more than doubles the force generated by your knee.
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Step 5
Point your toes down and pull your heel toward your body. This sharpens your knee so the greatest amount of force is concentrated in the smallest area.
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Step 6
Use the appropriate angle of approach. If you are delivering a blow to the head, propel your knee straight up as you pull your opponent's head straight down. If your target is the ribs, strike at a 45-degree angle to allow your knee to generate speed. If you are in a tight clinch, bring your knee out and around to hit your opponent in the side of the thigh.
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Step 7
Strike with full force. Muay Thai knee strikes are done with all your might. You should literally be launched up on your toes, unlike other martial arts that emphasize stable balance on the ball of your foot.
