4 Ways to Catch and Counter (Roundhouse Kick)
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Standard Kick Catch·fightTIPS·Added by Admin
On my trip to Evolve MMA in Singapore, I had a session with 2x Rajadamnern Muay Thai champion, Kru Day (Palangpol Petchy…
Standard Kick Catch
Genusスタンダードキックキャッチ(Sutandādo Kikku Kyacchi)
TransliterationTranslation: standard kick catch
Overview
The Standard Kick Catch intercepts an incoming round kick by scooping the kicking leg with the lead or rear arm, trapping the shin or ankle against the body while the other hand controls the opponent's body or posture. [1] The catch is executed by absorbing the kick's impact on the forearm and immediately wrapping the arm around the shin, pulling the leg tight against the body to trap it. [1],[2] From the catch position, the defender can execute foot sweeps on the opponent's standing leg, single-leg takedowns, or strikes to the trapped opponent. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The kick catch is highly effective in Muay Thai and MMA, allowing the defender to trap the opponent's kicking leg and immediately counter with sweeps, trips, or strikes while the opponent is on one leg. [1] In Muay Thai, catching the kick and sweeping the standing leg is a classic scoring combination. [2] The risk is that a missed catch leaves the defender's body exposed to the kick's impact. [1]
Lineage
The kick catch is a fundamental Muay Thai technique that has been integral to Thai boxing since its earliest documented forms, with catching and dumping being a primary method of demonstrating dominance in Muay Thai scoring. [1]
Competition Record
Saenchai PKSaenchaimuaythaigym is renowned for his kick catches into sweeps and dumps, a technique that contributed to his four Lumpinee Stadium titles across multiple weight classes. [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
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 line)
Catch parry — catching the punch in the open hand for a brief control moment
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
✓As the opponent's round kick arrives at body level, scoop your lead arm under the shin while pressing the leg against your body with the other hand
✓Step forward immediately to close distance — the opponent is now on one leg
✓Options from the catch: inside leg sweep (sweep the standing leg), outside trip, lateral throw, or punch while holding
✓Keep the caught leg pinned against your hip — don't hold it away from your body
✓For the sweep: hook the standing leg with your near foot and push the opponent backward
✓Release the caught leg as the opponent falls — holding it during the fall risks twisting the knee
✓Drill catch-to-sweep as one motion: catch, step, sweep — the entire sequence in under two seconds
Common Mistakes
!Catching too high on the thigh — aim for the shin or ankle area for better leverage
!Not stepping in after the catch — you need to close distance to threaten the standing leg
!Holding the leg at arm's length — pin it against your body for control
!Attempting to catch front kicks (teeps) the same way — teeps are straight; round kick catches work on the circular path
!Looking at the caught leg — keep eyes on the opponent's upper body and other limbs
!Holding the leg too long — the opponent recovers balance; attack within 1-2 seconds
!Catching the kick and standing still — immediately move and attack
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: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 1988) [2] Muay Thai Counters (Delp, 2005)
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: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 1988) [2] Muay Thai Counters (Delp, 2005)
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)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most important thing when catching a kick to prevent it from breaking my ribs?
According to fightTIPS instructor Crew Day, you must move with the kick by stepping to the side as you catch it, which takes the power off the strike. Then hold the caught kick tight and airtight in your armpit—if your grip is loose, your opponent can yank their foot free and create space.
After I catch a roundhouse kick, how do I counter with a kick of my own?
Step back to create space, then swing the caught leg through to put your opponent in a compromised position before landing your own counter roundhouse kick. Crew Day emphasizes the importance of stepping your rear leg back first to clear the legs and generate proper power for the counter.
How do I lift and push my opponent off balance after catching their kick?
Step forward as you catch the kick, then lift the leg high while pushing to really knock them off balance. After the lift and push, stay in the fight and chase them down to land your counter—don't create too much distance or you'll be out of range to follow up.
What's the key to executing a sweep after catching a kick?
Step directly forward without turning your body, hook low around the ankle, push on the head with your opposite hand to create leverage, and sweep the support leg out using the arch or inside of your foot. Keep your lower body strong and don't rotate with them—the push on the head and the lift of the caught leg do most of the work before the sweep finishes them.
How does the Standard Kick Catch work?
The Standard Kick Catch intercepts an incoming round kick by scooping the kicking leg with the lead or rear arm, trapping the shin or ankle against the body while the other hand controls the opponent's body or posture. The catch is executed by absorbing the kick's impact on the forearm and immediately wrapping the arm around the shin, pulling the leg tight against the body to trap it.
Where does the Standard Kick Catch come from?
The standard kick catch is a fundamental Muay Thai defensive technique that has been practised for centuries in Thai boxing. The catch-and-sweep combination is one of the most iconic defensive sequences in Muay Thai competition.
Is the Standard Kick Catch 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 Standard Kick Catch?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — blocking and parrying absorb strike force; hand/forearm injury from repeated blocking
How do I set up the Standard Kick Catch?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Standard Kick Catch?
Standard counters include: Timing — attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint — use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change — attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Standard Kick Catch?
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 Standard Kick Catch in competition?
Saenchai PKSaenchaimuaythaigym is renowned for his kick catches into sweeps and dumps, a technique that contributed to his four Lumpinee Stadium titles across multiple weight classes.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Kick Catch?
Top errors to watch for: Catching too high on the thigh — aim for the shin or ankle area for better leverage / Not stepping in after the catch — you need to close distance to threaten the standing leg / Holding the leg at arm's length — pin it against your body for control / Attempting to catch front kicks (teeps) the same way — teeps are straight; round kick catches work on the circular path.
What are other names for the Standard Kick Catch?
The Standard Kick Catch is also known as Sutandādo Kikku Kyacchi, Basic Kick Catch, Standard Leg Catch, Round Kick Catch.