Some basics of the knees (khao)
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Khao Trong·Tiger Dragon Muay Fight Gym·Added by Admin
This week's video focuses on some of our knee techniques, or khao in Thai. We have the khao dtrong or straight knee, the…
Khao Trong
Genusเข่าตรง（カオ・トロン）(Kao Toron)
TransliterationTranslation: straight knee
Overview
History & Origin
Khao Trong (เข่าตรง), literally 'straight knee' in Thai, is the foundational knee strike in Muay Thai, driven directly upward into the target along a vertical line. [1] Kraitus and Rennehan describe Khao Trong as the first khao technique a nak muay (Muay Thai fighter) learns, noting that its simplicity and power make it the most frequently used knee strike in Thai boxing competition. [1] The technique has been a cornerstone of Muay Thai since the art's earliest documented forms, with Rebac tracing its battlefield application to Siamese military training where straight knee strikes to the torso were used in close-quarters combat. [2]
Effectiveness
The clinch knee (khao trong) is the most commonly used knee strike in Muay Thai, delivered from the double collar tie clinch position with an upward thrust targeting the opponent's midsection or head. [1] It is highly effective in the clinch because the plum position controls the opponent's head and posture, allowing repeated knee strikes with minimal defensive options. [1]
Lineage
Competition Record
In Muay Thai stadium fights, clinch knees are one of the most heavily weighted scoring techniques, with Thai judges rewarding dominance in the clinch. [1] Anderson Silva's clinch knee against Rich Franklin at UFC 64 (2006) — breaking Franklin's nose and scoring a TKO — is one of the most famous demonstrations of clinch knee technique in MMA history. [2]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Driving the knee upward or diagonally into the target using hip flexion and body weight
Joints Involved — Hip (powerful flexion drive), knee (point of impact, flexed), core (posture and power transfer)
Force Vector — Upward (straight knee to body/head), diagonal (round knee from the side), or clinch-pull driven
Clinch Integration — Most effective when combined with clinch control — pulling the opponent's head down into the rising knee multiplies impact force
Position & Entry
From Muay Thai clinch — Secure the plum (double collar tie), pull the opponent's head down, drive the knee up into the body or head
From clinch (collar-and-bicep) — Control one side, pull the opponent into the rising knee
As counter (opponent shoots) — When the opponent level changes for a takedown, drive the knee up into their face or chest
Variants
Straight knee — driving the knee straight upward into the body or head
Curved knee (round knee) — swinging the knee from the side in a circular path
Flying knee — leaping forward and driving the knee at the apex of the jump
Clinch knee — pulling the opponent into the knee from Muay Thai plum position
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Muay Thai khao trong; direct upward thrust to body/head
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
WBC/Boxing — All knee strikes prohibited {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Prohibited in sport karate
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF— WT — Prohibited
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF— ITF — Prohibited
ITF Competition RulesPDF— WAKO — Prohibited in most formats
WAKO Competition RulesPDFRestricted
— Unified MMA — Knees to standing opponent legal, knees to ...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFK-1/GLORY — One clinch knee allowed before referee break {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
Legal
Kyokushin — Legal to body {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— IFMA — Legal — knees are a core Muay Thai weapon, clinch ...
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Khao trong is the Muay Thai straight knee from the clinch — the most fundamental and important knee technique
✓Secure the Thai plum (double collar tie) with elbows tight and hands clasped behind the opponent's neck
✓Pull the opponent's head sharply downward while driving the rear knee straight up through the solar plexus or chin
✓Rise onto the ball of the support foot to maximize hip extension and height at impact
✓The knee should drive through the opponent, not stop at the surface — imagine kneeing through to their spine
✓Alternate left and right khao trong in rhythm: pull-knee-pull-knee, keeping the opponent in a defensive cycle
✓Diesel Noi's khao trong from the clinch was considered the most devastating weapon in Muay Thai during the golden era
Common Mistakes
!Not pulling the opponent's head down — the khao trong depends on the collision of the downward pull and the upward knee
!Bumping the knee without hip extension — each knee must drive fully through the target
!Flat-footed on the support leg, which limits height and reduces power
!Losing inside position and letting the opponent's arms swim inside your clinch
!Throwing khao trong without head control — the opponent leans away and the knee falls short
!Not alternating knees — throwing the same knee repeatedly allows the opponent to block one side
!Holding the clinch passively between knees instead of turning and off-balancing the opponent to create new openings
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Assume Fighting Stance — begin from a balanced position with guard up
2Generate Power — use hip rotation and weight transfer for maximum force
3Execute Strike — deliver the technique to the target with correct form
4Recover to Guard — return immediately to defensive position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Yod Ruerngsa, Khun Kao Charuad & James Cartmell, 2002)
1BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006) [2] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [3] Muay Thai: A Living Legacy (Vail, 2014)
2BookMuay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988)
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] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006) [2] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [3] Muay Thai: A Living Legacy (Vail, 2014)
5CitationMuay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexion power, clinch control ability, close-range comfort
Favours
long thigh for greater leverage, strong hip flexors
Key muscles
hip flexors, quadriceps, core, grip (for clinch)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I generate maximum power with a knee strike?
Focus on striking with a sharp point rather than a flat surface—bring your heel as close to your bum as possible and keep your toes pointed down. A smaller striking surface concentrates force and delivers more power than an open knee. Tiger Dragon Muay Fight Gym also emphasizes exploding off your back foot to drive the strike.
What should I do with my hands when throwing a knee strike?
At good striking distance, use your hand to drive your hip forward as you deliver the knee. Keep your chin down and maintain your guard by touching your forehead to ensure your hands don't drop—though if you throw certain knee variations like the Raunhaus-style knee, some fighters drop one hand for balance, which does expose part of your face.
How do I avoid getting swept or tripped when throwing knees?
Don't cross your legs together, as this puts you off-balance and gives your opponent an opportunity to trip you. Instead, if striking with your front knee, change your stance and land with your front foot already opened out at 45 degrees.
How do I control the direction of my knee strike?
Remember that where your knee points is where it will go—step forward with a straight knee to gain distance, and maintain proper body alignment so your strike travels in your intended direction.
How does the Khao Trong work?
The classic Muay Thai straight knee strike from the clinch, driving the knee directly upward into the opponent's body while controlling the head with both hands in a plum clinch.
Where does the Khao Trong come from?
Khao Trong (เข่าตรง), literally 'straight knee' in Thai, is the foundational knee strike in Muay Thai, driven directly upward into the target along a vertical line. Kraitus and Rennehan describe Khao Trong as the first khao technique a nak muay (Muay Thai fighter) learns, noting that its simplicity and power make it the most frequently used knee strike in Thai boxing competition.
Is the Khao Trong legal in competition?
Unified MMA: restricted — Knees to standing opponent legal, knees to head of grounded opponent banned; WBC/Boxing: banned — All knee strikes prohibited; WKF: banned — Prohibited in sport karate; Kyokushin: legal — Legal to body; WT: banned — Prohibited; ITF: banned — Prohibited; WAKO: banned — Prohibited in most formats; K: restricted — 1/GLORY — One clinch knee allowed before referee break; IFMA: legal — Legal — knees are a core Muay Thai weapon, clinch knees highly scored
How dangerous is the Khao Trong?
Danger rating 7/10. Very High — Muay Thai khao trong; direct upward thrust to body/head
How do I set up the Khao Trong?
The standard setup chain: Assume Fighting Stance → Generate Power → Execute Strike → Recover to Guard.
How do I defend against the Khao Trong?
Standard counters include: Block — absorb the strike with a protective guard position / Evasion — move the target out of the strike's path / Counter-Attack — time an offensive response during the recovery phase of the strike.
What are the variants of the Khao Trong?
Common variants: Straight knee (driving the knee straight upward into the body or head); Curved knee (round knee) (swinging the knee from the side in a circular path); Flying knee (leaping forward and driving the knee at the apex of the jump); Clinch knee (pulling the opponent into the knee from Muay Thai plum po…).
How effective is the Khao Trong in competition?
In Muay Thai stadium fights, clinch knees are one of the most heavily weighted scoring techniques, with Thai judges rewarding dominance in the clinch. Anderson Silva's clinch knee against Rich Franklin at UFC 64 (2006) — breaking Franklin's nose and scoring a TKO — is one of the most famous demonstrations of clinch knee technique in MMA history.
What are common mistakes when doing the Khao Trong?
Top errors to watch for: Not pulling the opponent's head down — the khao trong depends on the collision of the downward pull and the upward knee / Bumping the knee without hip extension — each knee must drive fully through the target / Flat-footed on the support leg, which limits height and reduces power / Losing inside position and letting the opponent's arms swim inside your clinch.
What are other names for the Khao Trong?
The Khao Trong is also known as Kao Toron, Straight Clinch Knee, Straight Knee, Plum Position Knee.