Just exactly where do you want your kicks to land on your shin?

[Craneology]

Im a beginner, basically training myself. Ive been viciously working on my roundhouse, and well I was wondering where EXACTLY is the preferred spot to hit with your shin? Lower part, above ankle? or higher? Thnx

[Khun Kao]

"....basically training myself."

Uh, not really a good idea. You can develop a lot of bad habits this way.

But, as far as what portion of your shin you use as your striking surface really depends. Different strategies have different approaches, and you can alter your strategy mid-fight.

You want to train to be able to kick with all areas of the shin. The way that I personally fight, I strike with my lower shin (above the ankle) about 70% of the time, and mid-shin about 30% of the time. I rarely kick with the upper shin, but I will employ this kick from time-to-time when the opportunity presents itself.

[Craneology]

thnx for the reply

Thnx. I do have a teacher of some sort, he practiced muay thai for a few years, but hasnt practiced in a while. SO he is showing me how to do various moves, its im just mainly practicing these techniques by myself. Unfortuantly I have yet to find any schools in my area ( Austin, Tx area). If anyone knows of any teachers around this area I would greatly apprectiate it. Thnx.

[gregimotis]

Here's a start....


Austin Martial Arts - Expert Training for Youths & Adults
4615 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746 Telephone: (512)
327-2900 Fax: (512) 233-5251. ... MUAY THAI KICKBOXING. ...

Solis-Sahium Thai Boxing & Brazilian Jiujitsu
1925 Rutland Dr. Austin, TX 78758 Phone: 512-977-8181 Instructor- Rodney Solis


I'm sure there are more. Additionally, I believe there is a GJJ school in Austin which probably offers Muay Thai as a cross training art.

Welcome to the boards.

[Craneology]

thnx for the locations. Where did you find that information at? Ive searched and never found a location in Austin.

[Damian Mavis]

Heya, I come from a TKD background so like to kick with the lower shin for more reach when I fight or train Muay Thai, but my first full contact- bone on bone match taught me to not do that when kicking to the leg. I kept hitting my opponent with the shin just above the ankle on his bones and it took forever to heal. There is a tendon over the shin at that spot and it took a serious beating, just a bit higher up is all bone and I would have been fine but that tendon is not meant to be an attacking tool against solid bone.

Damian Mavis
Honour TKD

[gregimotis]

Sorry, posted in the wrong place.

[chalambok]

Yes, no problem okay

What I mean is it is all good, but some may be better than others lol. To begin with, there are many types of kicks, most of which are divided into 9 basic kicks. You have half shin-half knee kicks, half knee-half shin kicks (yes, these differ), up kicks, down kicks, level kicks, warding off kicks, drawing them in kicks, bent-leg double hit kicks for attacking the arms. It can get overly complex if you allow it to happen. But Darrian is correct and I would always advise kicking higher up the leg toward your knee, which coincidentally allows for an easier transition to the defensive halfknee-half shin kick should your opponent decide he can come in on your 'slow' dtae