12 Advanced Muay Thai Teep Kick Catch and Counters
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Kick Catch Parry·Northwest Fighting Arts
Muay Thai Teep kick catch and counter. Keep up with the training and if you have any questions let us know. Be well ht…
Kick Catch Parry
SubFamilyキックキャッチ(Kikku Kyacchi)
TransliterationTranslation: kick catch
Overview
The Kick Catch Parry subfamily covers defensive techniques where the fighter catches an incoming kick by grabbing the kicking leg, simultaneously defending against the strike and trapping the opponent's limb for counter-attacks or takedowns. [1] The kick catch is one of the highest-risk, highest-reward defensive techniques — if successful, it completely neutralises the kick and creates an immediate takedown or sweep opportunity. [1],[2] Kick catches are primarily used against round kicks and front kicks to the body, where the kicking leg travels at a catchable height and speed. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Kick catch parry intercepts and catches the opponent's kick, creating takedown and counter opportunities. [1]
Lineage
Kick catching is fundamental in Muay Thai, sanda, and MMA. [1]
Competition Record
Kick catches are used in Muay Thai and MMA competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Redirecting an incoming strike with a light touch — deflecting the attack off its intended line
Joints Involved — Hand and wrist (deflection point), shoulder (minimal movement), core (counter-rotation ready)
Force Vector — Tangential to the incoming strike — a small lateral deflection moves the strike past the target
Economy Principle — Minimal energy expenditure — uses the attacker's own momentum against them, preserving energy for counter-attack
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — With the open hand, redirect the incoming strike laterally off its centre line — minimal movement, maximum effect
As counter-setup — Parry the attack and immediately counter with the opposite hand while the opponent is off-balance
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Blocking and parrying absorb strike force; hand/forearm injury from repeated blocking
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal defensive action
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Legal
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF— WT — Legal
WT Competition Rules 2024PDFTraining Notes
✓The kick catch intercepts an incoming kick by catching the leg — trapping it against your body to control the opponent's balance and set up counters
✓Catch the kick at the shin or ankle level as it arrives — scoop both hands under the leg and pull it into your body
✓The kick catch is most effective against round kicks at body level — the kick's circular path brings the leg across your body
✓After catching the kick, the opponent is on one leg — sweep the standing leg, throw them, or fire strikes while holding the leg
✓In MMA and sanda, the kick catch is a primary defensive tool that transitions directly into offence
✓Time the catch to the kick's arrival, not its departure — let the kick come to you rather than reaching for it
✓Drill the catch against controlled round kicks: catch, sweep, or throw as one sequence
Common Mistakes
!Reaching out to catch the kick — let it arrive at your body; reaching extends you and risks being faked out
!Catching with one hand — use both hands for a secure grip; one hand lets the leg slip free
!Holding the caught leg without following up — immediately sweep, throw, or strike; holding gives the opponent time to recover
!Catching kicks that are too fast or too close — only attempt catches against medium-range round kicks
!Not stepping in after the catch — close the distance to take away the opponent's balance on the standing leg
!Catching the kick too low (at the foot) — catch at the shin or ankle for better control
!Looking down at the leg instead of at the opponent — maintain eye contact to see their other attacks
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack — read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence — apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance — return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage — capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Boxing (Edwin Haislet, 1940)
1BookBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 1988) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
2BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 1988) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
5CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes, precise hand placement
Favours
fast hands, good reaction time
Key muscles
deltoids, forearms, core (for counter-rotation readiness)
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from grabbing my neck after I catch their kick?
You need to check and scoop right away when you come in to catch the kick, before your opponent has a chance to grab your neck and escape. Northwest Fighting Arts emphasizes this immediate checking action as critical to controlling the exchange.
When should I time my sweep after catching a teep kick?
Start your sweep kick while your opponent is still moving down, so that when they're up in the air from the catch, you're already hitting them and can sweep the leg out from underneath them. Northwest Fighting Arts recommends initiating the sweep early in the sequence for maximum effectiveness.
What safety precautions should I take when practicing kick catch parry techniques with a partner?
Make sure you have good padding or a suitable surface to land on if you're throwing your partner down, and keep your eyes open to defend against being caught or swept yourself. Northwest Fighting Arts stresses being careful during partner drills to prevent injury.
How does the Kick Catch Parry work?
The Kick Catch Parry subfamily covers defensive techniques where the fighter catches an incoming kick by grabbing the kicking leg, simultaneously defending against the strike and trapping the opponent's limb for counter-attacks or takedowns. The kick catch is one of the highest-risk, highest-reward defensive techniques — if successful, it completely neutralises the kick and creates an immediate takedown or sweep opportunity.
Where does the Kick Catch Parry come from?
Kick catching has been a fundamental defensive technique in Muay Thai, where catching round kicks and executing sweeps from the catch is a standard competitive tactic. The technique was adopted into MMA where kick catches became a common setup for single-leg takedowns.
Is the Kick Catch Parry legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal defensive action; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal; WKF: legal — Legal; WT: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Kick Catch Parry?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — blocking and parrying absorb strike force; hand/forearm injury from repeated blocking
How do I set up the Kick Catch Parry?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Kick Catch Parry?
Standard counters include: Feint — fake an attack to draw out the block then strike the opening / Level Change — switch attack levels to go around the blocking defence / Combination — throw multiple strikes to overwhelm the single defensive response.
What are the variants of the Kick Catch Parry?
Common variants: Inside parry (deflecting the punch to the inside (toward the centre line)); Outside parry (deflecting the punch to the outside (away from the centre…); Catch parry (catching the punch in the open hand for a brief control m…).
How effective is the Kick Catch Parry in competition?
Kick catches are used in Muay Thai and MMA competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Kick Catch Parry?
Top errors to watch for: Reaching out to catch the kick — let it arrive at your body; reaching extends you and risks being faked out / Catching with one hand — use both hands for a secure grip; one hand lets the leg slip free / Holding the caught leg without following up — immediately sweep, throw, or strike; holding gives the opponent time to… / Catching kicks that are too fast or too close — only attempt catches against medium-range round kicks.
What are other names for the Kick Catch Parry?
The Kick Catch Parry is also known as Kikku Kyacchi, Kick Catch, Leg Catch, Jap Khao.