How to use the long knee for counter attack How to counter attack the long knee #longknee
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Standard Knee Counter·Pisit Muaysocial ·Added by Admin
How to use the long knee for counter attack How to counter attack the long knee.
Standard Knee Counter
Genusスタンダード膝蹴りカウンター(Sutandādo Hiza-geri Kauntā)
HybridTranslation: standard knee-strike counter
Overview
The Standard Knee Counter times a sharp knee strike upward to meet the shooting opponent's head as it drops during the takedown entry. [1] The defender reads the takedown initiation, steps one foot back slightly to create space, then drives the lead knee upward into the opponent's face or chest as they level-change. [1],[2] The timing must be precise — too early and the opponent can adjust; too late and the takedown is already secured. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The knee strike as a takedown counter is devastating when timed correctly, as the opponent shoots forward directly into the rising knee. [1] In Muay Thai, the knee to the head of a ducking opponent has ended numerous fights. [2] The technique carries significant risk if the timing is off, as a missed knee can leave the defender in a poor position to stop the takedown. [1]
Lineage
The knee counter to a shooting opponent has roots in Muay Thai's clinch knee system and was integrated into MMA as wrestlers began fighting against Thai boxers and strikers. [1]
Competition Record
Anderson Silva's knee knockout of Rich Franklin in their second fight at UFC 77 (2007) — though from the clinch rather than a pure takedown defence — demonstrated the devastating potential of the knee as a counter-weapon against a closing opponent. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Using foot positioning to control range and angles — maintaining optimal distance relative to the opponent
Joints Involved — Ankles (pivot and directional changes), knees (level maintenance), hips (balance and weight distribution)
Force Vector — Multi-directional — lateral steps, pivots, and retreats adjust distance and angle simultaneously
Distance Principle — Managing the distance between fighters is the most fundamental defensive skill — controlling range dictates which techniques are available
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — When the opponent shoots, defend with sprawl, whizzer, underhook, or cage positioning depending on the attack type
From clinch (underhook battle) — Use the overhook/whizzer to prevent the opponent from completing the takedown
From cage — Use the cage for balance and framing to stuff the takedown attempt
Variants
Standard defence — primary defensive technique from the most common position
Reactive defence — triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for maximum protection
Proactive defence — anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it early
Counter defence — using the defensive movement to create an immediate counter-attack opportunity
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Sprawls and stuffs involve sudden body weight displacement; knee/hip strain risk
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 2025PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal — blocking and evasion are core boxing skills {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Legal — blocking is a fundamental karate skill
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDFKyokushin — Legal {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— WT — Legal
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF— WAKO — Legal
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY — Legal {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— IFMA — Legal
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Standard knee counter execution: as the opponent changes level, post one hand on the back of their neck/head, drop your weight slightly, and drive the rear knee upward into the opponent's face or chest (Greg Jackson, The Stand-Up Game, 2011)
✓The hand on the head is not a pull-down — it's a frame that keeps the opponent's head in the path of the knee
✓Use the rear knee (back leg) for power, or the lead knee for speed — the situation dictates which
✓The hip thrust drives the knee: don't just lift the knee; thrust your hips forward to add body mass to the strike
✓After the knee: if it lands clean, follow with strikes; if it checks the shot, transition to sprawl or guillotine
✓The standard knee counter is drilled with a partner wearing a body shield — they shoot, you time the knee
✓In competition, the knee counter is legal as long as the opponent is not considered a 'grounded fighter' under the applicable rule set
✓The knee counter pairs naturally with the sprawl — if the knee misses, you're already in position to sprawl
Common Mistakes
!Pulling the opponent's head down (illegal in MMA — considered a knee to a grounded opponent in some rules) — frame the head, don't pull
!Throwing the knee with the lead leg when the rear leg would provide more stopping power — assess which knee is appropriate
!Not thrusting the hips — a knee without hip drive is just a leg lift; the hips generate the force
!Standing straight up while throwing the knee — drop your base slightly to maintain balance
!Throwing the knee after the opponent has already secured your legs — at that point, the knee is too late; sprawl instead
!Not following up after a successful knee — the counter is an opener, not a finisher
!Training the knee counter only on pads — the timing against a live shoot is different; train with partners
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
Freestyle Wrestling: A Complete Guide for Coaches and Wrestlers (Petrov, 1977)
1BookFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
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)
2BookWrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Cejudo & Holliday, 2015)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Counters (Delp, 2005) [2] Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 1988)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
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)
5CitationWrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Cejudo & Holliday, 2015)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Counters (Delp, 2005) [2] Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 1988)
Community
Athletics
Requires
reaction speed, structural body mechanics, defensive awareness
Favours
quick reflexes and conditioned defensive surfaces
Key muscles
varies — forearms (blocking), legs (movement), core (stability)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the correct way to defend against a pushing knee attack?
When your opponent throws a pushing knee, use a front knee to meet it halfway and pop/deflect it. Focus on stopping the long knee from the outside by using popping motions with your chin and leg position to neutralize the attack.
Should I bend my arm when defending the long knee?
No. According to SITJAOPHO MUAYTHAI, you should not bend your right arm when defending against the long knee—keep it positioned properly to maintain your guard.
How do I stop a pushing knee directed at my chin?
Lift your arm to protect your chin and step back while using popping hand motions to deflect the incoming knee strike. This creates distance and prevents the attack from landing effectively.
How does the Standard Knee Counter work?
The Standard Knee Counter times a sharp knee strike upward to meet the shooting opponent's head as it drops during the takedown entry. The defender reads the takedown initiation, steps one foot back slightly to create space, then drives the lead knee upward into the opponent's face or chest as they level-change.
Where does the Standard Knee Counter come from?
The standard knee counter became a feared defensive weapon in MMA, with knockout finishes from this counter creating some of the sport's most memorable moments. It serves as the ultimate risk for wrestlers shooting takedowns in MMA.
Is the Standard Knee Counter legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal — blocking and evasion are core boxing skills; WKF: legal — Legal — blocking is a fundamental karate skill; Kyokushin: legal — Legal; WT: legal — Legal; WAKO: legal — Legal; K: legal — 1/GLORY — Legal; IFMA: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Knee Counter?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — sprawls and stuffs involve sudden body weight displacement; knee/hip strain risk
How do I set up the Standard Knee Counter?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Standard Knee Counter?
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 Knee Counter?
Common variants: Standard defence (primary defensive technique from the most common position); Reactive defence (triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for …); Proactive defence (anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it …); Counter defence (using the defensive movement to create an immediate count…).
How effective is the Standard Knee Counter in competition?
Anderson Silva's knee knockout of Rich Franklin in their second fight at UFC 77 (2007) — though from the clinch rather than a pure takedown defence — demonstrated the devastating potential of the knee as a counter-weapon against a closing opponent.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Knee Counter?
Top errors to watch for: Pulling the opponent's head down (illegal in MMA — considered a knee to a grounded opponent in some rules) — frame th… / Throwing the knee with the lead leg when the rear leg would provide more stopping power — assess which knee is approp… / Not thrusting the hips — a knee without hip drive is just a leg lift; the hips generate the force / Standing straight up while throwing the knee — drop your base slightly to maintain balance.
What are other names for the Standard Knee Counter?
The Standard Knee Counter is also known as Sutandādo Hiza-geri Kauntā, Basic Knee Strike Counter, Rising Knee Check, Knee Uppercut Counter.