Welcome back to the Muay Thai Times!

Last week, we broke down the Clinch, a crucial weapon for controlling your opponent up close. This time, we’re focusing on a longer range weapon… The Teep (AKA Pushkick). The Teep is one of Muay Thai’s most effective techniques for dictating distance, disrupting attacks, and frustrating opponents.

Fighters like Samart Payakaroon, Saenchai, and Tawanchai (in more recent years) show just how powerful a well placed teep can be. Lets break down how to use it effectively ↓

Why the Teep is More Than Just a Kick

The Teep isn’t just a defensive tool, its can also be used as an offensive weapon that can:

✅ Keep aggressive opponents at bay.

✅ Interrupt your opponents rhythm.

✅ Set up powerful strikes.

✅ Drain your opponents energy over time.

🔥 Pro tip 🔥 - A strong teep can neutralise a strong boxer before they get inside striking range.

The Different Types of Teeps

There is more than one way to throw a teep, here are the main ones:

🦵- Lead leg Teep - Quick and snappy, used to create space or set up attacks.

🦵- Rear leg Teep - More powerful, great for knocking opponents off balance.

🦵- Side Teep - Used to attack at an angle and fit in gaps the two types mentioned above wouldn’t.

🦵- Jumping Teep - A more explosive attack that can catch opponents off guard.

🔥Drills to improve:🔥 

• 100 teeps at the end of every session (50 each leg) focusing on accuracy and timing, so you hit the bag as it swings back and keep it under control.

• Teep sparring rounds only. Grab a partner and have a round where you both are only allowed to use the teep and teep defence. This will improve your timing and technique for both attatcking with the teep and defending it.

How to Use the Teep Strategically

📌 For distance control. Keep an aggressive/forward fighter at bay by teeping early and often. Combine this with sidesteps to maintain control of the ring and reduce how often you are forced to back up onto the ropes.

📌 For breaking rhythm. Teep mid combo to disrupt your opponents attack and get them out of range. If you time this as they are stepping forward, you will effectively double your power and hurt your opponent.

📌 For setting up attacks. Repeatedly teep the stomach to make them think it is coming again and surprise them with either a teep to the face or come around the side with a question mark kick to the head.

🔥Drill to improve🔥

Pad-work drill: Teep once, fake the teep, and then follow with a strike of your choice. Think about your follow on strikes after the fake teep, imagine how an opponent may react if they think a Teep to the body is coming again and where they might be open.

Defending Against the Teep

⛔Common mistakes to avoid⛔

• Always stepping back - This gives your opponent control of the ring.

• Incorrect stance - If your stance is too narrow you are more likely to be off balanced by a well placed teep. This would be a huge score against you in Muay Thai.

• Always trying to block with your hands - If you are always dropping your guards to swipe the teep away, you may get setup. Instead, without dropping your hands, use your forearms to redirect the teep past you as it comes and follow up with a counter.

⚡Ways to counter the Teep⚡

• Parry and counter. Swipe the leg to the side and follow up with a counter (this could be a punch elbow or knee).

• Catch and sweep. There are several ways to do this find one which works best for you. The basic way involves catching the teep with both hands infront of you, swipe their leg across their body and step in and take the standing leg.

🔥Drill to improve🔥

Improve your teep defense by grabbing a partner and spending a round just defending their teeps on both sides. Try to practice multiple ways so that you’re not predictable and easy to set up.

Final Thoughts 🕰️

A well timed teep can change the flow of a fight, whether you’re using it to keep distance, frustrate opponents, or set up attacks. The key is to practice it so it becomes second nature.

💭 How do you use the Teep in your training? Let me know your go to setups and counters. Reply via Instagram and let me know!

📢 Next issue - Mastering Muay Thai Footwork – Movement that wins fights.

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Until next time, keep training hard and stay sharp.

See you in the next round,

Muay Thai Times.