Dutch Low Kick

Variety

ダッチローキック(Dacchi Rō Kikku)

Transliteration

Translation: Dutch low kick

Overview

The Dutch Low Kick is the distinctive outside low kick as developed and refined by the Dutch kickboxing school, characterised by a deeper pivot, more committed hip rotation, and integration within boxing combinations (typically following a cross or hook). ^[1] The Dutch low kick is often set up with punches that draw the opponent's attention high before the kick sweeps their lead leg, and it is thrown with the intention of full power on every repetition rather than as a range-finding tool. ^[1],[2] Dutch kickboxers traditionally emphasise devastating leg kicks as a primary strategy, aiming to compromise the opponent's mobility within the first two rounds. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Dutch Kick^[1]Holland Low Kick^[2]Kickboxing Low Kick^[3]

Used in

Kickboxing MMA Muay Thai

History & Origin

The Dutch low kick was developed in the Netherlands during the 1970s and 1980s as Dutch fighters cross-trained with Thai boxers and adapted Muay Thai techniques within a Western boxing framework. ^[1] Pioneers like Jan Plas (who founded Mejiro Gym after training in Japan and Thailand), Rob Kaman, and later Ernesto Hoost and Ramon Dekkers, refined the integration of low kicks with punching combinations into what became the signature Dutch kickboxing style. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

The Dutch low kick emphasises a shorter, more compact arc with the shin making contact at closer range, allowing it to be integrated seamlessly into boxing combinations without significant loss of hand position or balance. ^[1] The Dutch approach prioritises volume and combination integration over single-strike power. ^[1]

Lineage

The Dutch low kick was developed by the Dutch kickboxing school in Amsterdam, principally at Mejiro Gym (founded by Jan Plas after training in Japan) and Chakuriki Gym during the 1970s-1980s. ^[1] Dutch trainers synthesised Muay Thai kicking with Western boxing to create a distinctive combination-heavy style. ^[1]

Competition Record

Rob Kaman, known as 'Mr. Low Kick,' was a Dutch kickboxer who won multiple world titles in the 1980s-1990s using the Dutch low kick as his primary weapon, scoring numerous leg-kick TKO victories. ^[1] Ramon Dekkers (1969-2013) brought the Dutch low kick style to Thailand, winning Muay Thai championships using a combination-heavy approach featuring the Dutch low kick. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Ballistic extension of the arm — kinetic chain transfers force from the ground through the hips to the fist

Joints Involved — Shoulder (flexion/rotation), elbow (rapid extension), wrist (stabilised on impact), hips (rotation)

Force Vector — Linear (jab, cross) or circular (hook, overhand) depending on the punch type

Kinetic Chain — Ground reaction force → hip rotation → torso rotation → shoulder extension → fist impact — each link amplifies velocity

Position & Entry

From orthodox stance (after jab) — Rotate the rear hip forward, extend the rear hand straight to the target, pivot the rear foot

As counter (pull counter) — Lean back to avoid the incoming jab, fire the cross as the opponent's jab retracts

From clinch break — Push off from the clinch, create space, and fire the straight right as the opponent resets

Variants

Standard cross — rear-hand straight punch with full hip rotation

Counter cross (pull counter) — leaning back to avoid the jab, firing the cross as a counter

Step-in cross — stepping forward with the punch for added reach and power

Body cross — targeting the solar plexus or liver with the straight rear hand

Videos

No videos yet

Help build this encyclopedia by suggesting a relevant video.

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

High6/10

Most common KO kick; generates ~1,000N force to head (Falco et al. 2009)

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal

WBC/Boxing — All kicks prohibited in boxing {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}

— WKF — Kicks below the waist prohibited in sport karate

WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF

— WT — Kicks below the waist prohibited

WT Competition Rules 2024PDF

Legal

— Unified MMA — Legal striking technique

Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF

Kyokushin — Legal at full power {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}

— WAKO — Legal in Low Kick and K-1 formats

WAKO Competition RulesPDF

K-1/GLORY — Legal — low kicks are a core technique {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}

— IFMA — Legal — leg kicks are highly scored in Muay Thai

IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓Throw the low kick with a preceding punch combination — the classic Dutch pattern is jab-cross-hook-low kick or cross-hook-low kick

✓The punches set up the kick by occupying the opponent's hands at head level, leaving the legs undefended

✓Step offline to the lead-hand side during the hook, then immediately fire the rear-leg low kick from the angle

✓The Dutch low kick emphasises the kick as the payoff of a combination, not a standalone technique

✓Dutch kickboxing trainers like Lucien Carbin and Thom Harinck developed this systematic approach at gyms like Chakuriki and Mejiro

✓The kick follows the cross or hook seamlessly — the body is already rotating from the punch, and the kick continues that rotation

✓Rob Kaman and Ernesto Hoost perfected this method, creating the blueprint for modern leg-kick fighting

Common Mistakes

!Throwing the low kick without punches first — the Dutch method specifically relies on combinations to set up the kick

!Pausing between the hook and the low kick, which breaks the rhythm and lets the opponent reset

!Not stepping offline during the combination — the angle created by the punches is what opens the low kick target

!Over-committing to the punches and forgetting to throw the kick — the kick is the point of the combination

!Neglecting the check hook guard position before kicking — after the hook, the lead hand should be protecting the chin

!Throwing the same combination every time: jab-cross-low kick becomes predictable; vary the entry punches

!Kicking the knee or below during the fast combination — the speed makes it harder to aim, so drill accuracy slowly first

Related Techniques

Jab — range-finding strike that sets up this power technique Check — the primary defensive response to this kicking technique Combination — multi-strike sequence incorporating this technique for higher effectiveness

Counter Techniques

Check (Shin Block) — raise the shin to intercept the kick before it lands Catch and Sweep — catch the kicking leg and sweep the standing leg Step Inside — close distance inside the kick's effective range to smother it

Setup Chain

1Stance and Range — verify correct distance for the kick to land at full extension

2Chamber the Leg — lift the knee to prepare the kicking trajectory

3Execute the Kick — extend the leg through the target with the appropriate striking surface

4Recover — retract the leg and return to fighting stance

Sources & References

Primary Source

Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (Gichin Funakoshi, 1935)

1BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)

Alias sources — [1] Dutch Kickboxing System (Mejiro Gym tradition) [2] K-1 Broadcast Terminology (2000s) [3] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)

2BookKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)

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

4CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)

Alias sources — [1] Dutch Kickboxing System (Mejiro Gym tradition) [2] K-1 Broadcast Terminology (2000s) [3] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)

5CitationKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)

Community

Athletics

Requires

hip rotation power, rear foot pivot, full kinetic chain coordination

Favours

reach advantage, strong hips for power transfer

Key muscles

glutes, obliques, pectorals, triceps, deltoids

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Dutch Low Kick work?

The Dutch Low Kick is the distinctive outside low kick as developed and refined by the Dutch kickboxing school, characterised by a deeper pivot, more committed hip rotation, and integration within boxing combinations (typically following a cross or hook). The Dutch low kick is often set up with punches that draw the opponent's attention high before the kick sweeps their lead leg, and it is thrown with the intention of full power on every repetition rather than as a range-finding tool.

Where does the Dutch Low Kick come from?

The Dutch low kick was developed in the Netherlands during the 1970s and 1980s as Dutch fighters cross-trained with Thai boxers and adapted Muay Thai techniques within a Western boxing framework. Pioneers like Jan Plas (who founded Mejiro Gym after training in Japan and Thailand), Rob Kaman, and later Ernesto Hoost and Ramon Dekkers, refined the integration of low kicks with punching combinations into what became the signature Dutch kickboxing style.

Is the Dutch Low Kick legal in competition?

Unified MMA: legal — Legal striking technique; WBC/Boxing: banned — All kicks prohibited in boxing; WKF: banned — Kicks below the waist prohibited in sport karate; Kyokushin: legal — Legal at full power; WT: banned — Kicks below the waist prohibited; WAKO: legal — Legal in Low Kick and K-1 formats; K: legal — 1/GLORY — Legal — low kicks are a core technique; IFMA: legal — Legal — leg kicks are highly scored in Muay Thai

How dangerous is the Dutch Low Kick?

Danger rating 6/10. High — most common KO kick; generates ~1,000N force to head (Falco et al. 2009)

How do I set up the Dutch Low Kick?

The standard setup chain: Stance and Range → Chamber the Leg → Execute the Kick → Recover.

How do I defend against the Dutch Low Kick?

Standard counters include: Check (Shin Block) — raise the shin to intercept the kick before it lands / Catch and Sweep — catch the kicking leg and sweep the standing leg / Step Inside — close distance inside the kick's effective range to smother it.

What are the variants of the Dutch Low Kick?

Common variants: Standard cross (rear-hand straight punch with full hip rotation); Counter cross (pull counter) (leaning back to avoid the jab, firing the cross as a counter); Step-in cross (stepping forward with the punch for added reach and power); Body cross (targeting the solar plexus or liver with the straight rea…).

How effective is the Dutch Low Kick in competition?

Rob Kaman, known as 'Mr. Low Kick,' was a Dutch kickboxer who won multiple world titles in the 1980s-1990s using the Dutch low kick as his primary weapon, scoring numerous leg-kick TKO victories.

What are common mistakes when doing the Dutch Low Kick?

Top errors to watch for: Throwing the low kick without punches first — the Dutch method specifically relies on combinations to set up the kick / Pausing between the hook and the low kick, which breaks the rhythm and lets the opponent reset / Not stepping offline during the combination — the angle created by the punches is what opens the low kick target / Over-committing to the punches and forgetting to throw the kick — the kick is the point of the combination.

What are other names for the Dutch Low Kick?

The Dutch Low Kick is also known as Dacchi Rō Kikku, Dutch Kick, Holland Low Kick, Kickboxing Low Kick.

dutch low kick dacchi r kikku strike kick roundhouse kick low kick outside low kick standard outside low kickboxing mma muay thai dutch kick holland low kick kickboxing low kick