Low kicks are one of the most reliable weapons in striking. They damage the legs, slow movement, and force opponents to adjust their stance. Whether you train in Muay Thai, kickboxing, or MMA, learning how to set up low kicks correctly will make them far more effective than throwing them without preparation.
Below is a practical guide to setting up low kicks in a smart and controlled way.
TL; DR
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Use punches to set up low kicks. Attack high first so your opponent lifts their guard and shifts weight, which opens the leg for clean impact.
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Focus on timing, not just speed. Kick when the leg is planted, after missed punches, or during weight shifts for maximum effect.
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Stay balanced and unpredictable. Mix low kicks into combinations, use feints to create reactions, and recover quickly to avoid counters.
Understanding the Purpose of Low Kicks
A low kick targets the thigh, usually the outside of the lead leg or the inside of the rear leg. The goal is not just to cause pain, but to reduce mobility, weaken balance, and create openings for future attacks.
When thrown correctly, low kicks:
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Disrupt rhythm
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Force weight shifts
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Slow footwork
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Create hesitation
A raw low kick without setup can be checked, countered, or caught. This is why preparation matters as much as technique. A well placed kick should feel like the result of smart positioning, not a random strike.
Using the Hands to Create Openings
The hands are the safest and fastest tools in striking. They create reactions, and reactions create opportunities.
The most common setup is the jab followed by a low kick. When a jab is thrown:
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The opponent raises their guard
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Their focus shifts upward
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Their weight often moves backward
That is when the low kick lands cleanly.
Other effective setups include:
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Double jab then low kick
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Cross then lead leg low kick
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Hook then rear leg low kick
The idea is simple. Attack high before attacking low. This forces the opponent to defend two levels at once.
Low kicks thrown without punches are easier to read. When the hands are active first, the kick becomes harder to anticipate.
Focusing on Timing Instead of Speed
Many fighters believe speed makes a low kick effective. I believe timing is more important than pure speed. A well timed kick that lands on a planted leg does far more damage than a rushed strike.
The best moments to kick include:
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When the opponent steps forward
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As they finish a punch combination
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When their lead foot is firmly planted
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After they miss a strike
A planted leg cannot move quickly. That is the ideal moment to attack it.
For example, when an opponent throws a cross, their weight shifts forward. If the kick lands as they reset, it strikes with maximum impact. Waiting for that small window often makes the difference between a blocked kick and a damaging one.
Timing also means avoiding predictable patterns. If a low kick always follows a single jab, it becomes easy to read. Mixing rhythm keeps the opponent uncertain.
Creating Reactions with Feints
Feints are small fake movements designed to draw defensive reactions.
Effective feints include:
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A quick shoulder twitch to suggest a jab
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A slight knee lift to suggest a kick
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A step forward without committing
When the opponent reacts, their weight shifts. That shift opens the leg for attack.
Even a minor fake can cause hesitation. That hesitation is often enough to land a clean low kick. Over time, these reactions can be studied. Some fighters check immediately. Others lean back or try to counter.
Recognizing these habits allows adjustments in setup. A fake low kick followed by a cross can punish someone who checks too quickly. Once they hesitate to check, the real low kick becomes available again.
Managing Distance Before Committing
Distance control is critical. Too close, and the kick loses power. Too far, and it misses or invites a counter.
Punches help measure range safely. A jab can test distance before stepping in for the kick. Angles also improve safety. Stepping slightly outside the opponent’s lead foot reduces their ability to counter effectively.
Straight line attacks are easier to defend. Angled entries make the kick harder to read and harder to counter.
After landing the kick, balance must be maintained. The leg should recoil quickly, and the stance should reset without delay. A strong kick means little if it leaves the fighter exposed.
Building Low Kicks into Combinations
Low kicks become more dangerous when integrated into combinations rather than thrown alone. I prefer to blend them naturally into punch sequences so they feel unpredictable.
Examples include:
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Jab then cross then low kick
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Cross then hook then low kick
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Jab then low kick then cross
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Low kick then cross then hook
Notice that the kick does not always come last. Placing it in different positions prevents opponents from developing timing against it.
Combinations should feel fluid, not forced. When punches and kicks flow together, defensive reactions become slower and less certain.
Staying Defensively Responsible
Every kick creates a brief opening. Skilled opponents look for that moment to counter.
Common counters include:
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Straight right hands
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Checking with the shin
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Catching the kick
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Stepping in with punches
Protection comes from discipline. The opposite hand must stay high. The hips should rotate fully for balance. The leg must recoil quickly after impact.
There should be no pause after landing. Recovery is part of the technique.
Setting up low kicks is about patience, awareness, and smart preparation. Strong legs matter, but intelligent setups matter more.
Punch high to create openings low. Time the kick when weight is planted. Use feints to draw reactions. Control distance before committing. Blend kicks into combinations and stay balanced after throwing them.
When applied with purpose, low kicks do more than cause damage. They break rhythm, limit movement, and shape the direction of the fight. With proper setup, they become one of the most dependable tools in any striker’s skill set.
