Muay Thai Diagonal Knee
Quick Information
Category
Combat Sports
Difficulty
Intermediate
Equipment
Hand Wraps, Boxing Gloves, Heavy Bag
Primary muscle group
Gluteals, Adductors, Obliques
Secondary muscle groups
Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Erector Spinae, Gastrocnemius
Movement pattern
Angular Knee Strike
Training goal
Skill Acquisition
Sport
Muay Thai, Kickboxing, MMA
Overview
Purpose. Attack the ribs and the side of the body at close range with a knee that travels around a guard rather than through it.
How it fits the system. The angular knee variation of the Muay Thai material in the Combat Sports section. Related work in the library: Muay Thai Straight Knee and Muay Thai Clinch Knee.
Primary muscles
Gluteals, Adductors, Obliques
Secondary muscles
Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Erector Spinae, Gastrocnemius
Movement pattern
Angular Knee Strike
Equipment
Hand Wraps, Boxing Gloves, Heavy Bag
Difficulty
Intermediate
How to Perform
- From the stance or the clinch, turn the hip slightly to open the diagonal line.
- Drive the knee up and across on a curved path towards the ribs.
- Pull with the arms if you have a clinch position, adding force to the strike.
- Return the foot and reset the base.
Coaching Cues
- “Open the hip, then throw it around.”
- “Pull them onto the knee.”
- “Keep the head position secure if you are in the clinch.”
Common Mistakes
- Throwing the knee straight and hoping the angle appears.
- Losing head control in the clinch as the knee is thrown.
Progressions & Regressions
Progressions
Add it from a clinch, then in alternating left-right sequences, then combined with elbows.
Regressions
Drill on a heavy bag with both hands on the bag for control.
When to Use It
When to use
Technical rounds, pad rounds and bag rounds in a Muay Thai session.
When not to use
Shin, hip or groin injury, or unresolved lower-limb pain.
Programming
3–5 rounds of 3 minutes, 10–20 repetitions per side per round.
Popular
Popular Articles
