Flying Knee Defense/Counters?

[snizzar]

Been awhile since I posted here as I've been out of the gym with an injury, but lately I've been surfing old fights and have become curiously fascinated by the flying knee. As a short and stocky grappler/boxing enthusiast I'm deathly afraid of being on the bad end of a flying knee lol.

What are some of your ideas on specific defense maneuvers/counters for a flying knee? I was thinking more of a situation like the GIF below against a taller opponent but instead of being in the middle of the ring, more of a situation of being cornered/back against the cage.

The most common answer I found while doing a quick search was to
- side step
- teep/kick the back leg

The side step would obviously be pretty damn hard to do if in the corner of the ring, so what other options do you really have in that type of situation?

EDIT: Tried to post the Pablo Garza flying knee but isn't showing up for me. EDIT 2: Nvm, got it to work lol

I'll try these instead:

 

[SummerStriker]

I seriously just parry it like a punch. Tap the side of their leg over with your hand. They usually end up turning so far you get a side clinch.

 

[Discipulus]

Like an uppercut, the best counter is preemptive. If your posture is compromised, you're going to eat the knee. In addition, if you react to unexpected strikes by leaning forward and covering up, you're going to eat the knee. Notice that most clips you see of dudes getting slept by flying knees show the victims either bending down in a desperate attempt to avoid the strike, or getting counter shooting for a takedown. Not only does that downward momentum magnify the impact of the strike, but it puts you in exactly the type of position a knee/uppercut/front kick is meant to exploit.

So the best answer is to pull back and deny the opponent the target. If you are standing in a knee-able position, your response should not be to lean down farther, or to shoot for a desperation takedown.

Against the cage, sideways movement would be ideal, as it would allow you to counter the opponent as they go flying into the fence. Elsewhere, just make yourself aware of your opponent's intentions and react accordingly.

 

[snizzar]

I seriously just parry it like a punch. Tap the side of their leg over with your hand. They usually end up turning so far you get a side clinch.

I was thinking that, but isn't there the possibility you're too slow to react and still eat the knee? Or possibly even break your hand? From some defense vids though of clinch in the knees, blocking them with your arms was the popular choice so I can see parrying being a viable option.

Like an uppercut, the best counter is preemptive. If your posture is compromised, you're going to eat the knee. In addition, if you react to unexpected strikes by leaning forward and covering up, you're going to eat the knee. Notice that most clips you see of dudes getting slept by flying knees show the victims either bending down in a desperate attempt to avoid the strike, or getting counter shooting for a takedown. Not only does that downward momentum magnify the impact of the strike, but it puts you in exactly the type of position a knee/uppercut/front kick is meant to exploit.

So the best answer is to pull back and deny the opponent the target. If you are standing in a knee-able position, your response should not be to lean down farther, or to shoot for a desperation takedown.

Against the cage, sideways movement would be ideal, as it would allow you to counter the opponent as they go flying into the fence. Elsewhere, just make yourself aware of your opponent's intentions and react accordingly.

Yeah I noticed the same thing about people reacting by covering up/bending down. So assuming you let the guy set you up for a flying knee and you see it too late, you suggested pulling back upright. Would you then suggest going for a cross arm block, or perhaps even smother them in an upright position and try to clinch and hopefully just eat the knee in the chest? Or does that sound as stupid as I think it is lol.

Thanks for the reply guys. Going to PT so I won't see your answers till later but thanks in advance.

 

[DrBdan]

You can trying to stiff-arm/shove them to keep them away. I do this a lot in Muay Thai if I'm trying to maintain distance. A solid shove to the chest works pretty well.

 

[SummerStriker]

I was thinking that, but isn't there the possibility you're too slow to react and still eat the knee? Or possibly even break your hand? From some defense vids though of clinch in the knees, blocking them with your arms was the popular choice so I can see parrying being a viable option.

I mean, I parry a lot. Usually parries are paired with some sort of step, especially if you aren't confident in the parry. That way there is double insurance.

I never wrestled and have zero reflex that leads me to tuck forward. My problem has always been turning my head away or leaving the safety of my guard by leaning away. I never tuck down to throw body shots or shoot for doubles.

So.... whenever I see one of these coming, I parry it. Sometimes, if I see it from far enough away, I'll pull up a shin block to the outside of it and tap a curved knee in to parry. If it is close to my face, I'll tap it with a hand. The easiest is to parry by touching their shoulder and pushing their whole body to one side as I step to the other. That happens more if they were close enough to strike with a cross when they jump for a knee.

If you are bending over when it comes, I'm not sure.

 

[ssullivan80]

IMO: In this order from best-worst

- Move out the damn way (and as noted below, move up and away vs under or low). Ideally, at an angle. It's fairly easy to counter a guy who misses a flying knee as he is landing/lands, he'll by defensively compromised as he comes down and if you get just far enough back that you can set your feet as he's coming down you can attack him with just about anything (just look for the shot).

- Stick your glove/palm in the middle of his chest at an upward angle / (cover with other glove)..... just be cautious to get your head back/away and make sure that knee doesn't get underneath. I typically just lean slightly from the waist, away from the kneeing leg and use an outstretched arm (same side as knee) like a pole in opponents chest. I've seen experienced MT fighters use an upward elbow to do this, spear the opponent in the chest/solar plexus (im lanky, so the outstretched arm seems much safer for me personally).

-Get tall and cover up, as a last resort you can simply pull your head back and cover up. Just make sure your not leaning or dropping forward when your covering. This option is not ideal, as a flying knee that is well thrown will smash up whatever it hits and do some damage, including your guard. Still beats the hell out of taking it on the chin. Just be careful when you pull up to cover you're using your guard to protect your lower ribs too, as that knee gets in under your guard it'll do a number on them.......shit hurts! Personally, I use a cross arm block to cover up x...... but whatever works best.

As for countering a flying knee, I think it best to defend it first then attack the opponent right after defending. Unless it's exceptionally well timed or your opponent really telegraphs that flying knee. Attempting to counter flying knee (as opponents throwing it) is usually what ends up with guys getting KTFO by them. Either attack them before they get off the ground or as they come down (defend first).

 

[ssullivan80]

I mean, I parry a lot. Usually parries are paired with some sort of step, especially if you aren't confident in the parry. That way there is double insurance.

I never wrestled and have zero reflex that leads me to tuck forward. My problem has always been turning my head away or leaving the safety of my guard by leaning away. I never tuck down to throw body shots or shoot for doubles.

So.... whenever I see one of these coming, I parry it. Sometimes, if I see it from far enough away, I'll pull up a shin block to the outside of it and tap a curved knee in to parry. If it is close to my face, I'll tap it with a hand. The easiest is to parry by touching their shoulder and pushing their whole body to one side as I step to the other. That happens more if they were close enough to strike with a cross when they jump for a knee.

If you are bending over when it comes, I'm not sure.

I'd be cautious parrying or using any hand blocks to stop a flying knee. If the guy is really using the technique correctly, the flying knee is a spearing strike.... jumping forward and driving the knee with hips. There's a whole lot of momentum if it's done correctly and simply pushing it down with a glove ain't gonna do it. The flying knee is intended to go through opponent vs. to opponent. Not to say there aren't exceptions, but still i'd proceed with caution using those techniques.

 

[apizur**]

It has the weight and power of a knee, but with no stability. Parry it sideways like a teep kick.

You could try to point your elbow down into it, but then you might end up like a certain Korea Zombie.

 

[SummerStriker]

I'd be cautious parrying or using any hand blocks to stop a flying knee. If the guy is really using the technique correctly, the flying knee is a spearing strike.... jumping forward and driving the knee with hips. There's a whole lot of momentum if it's done correctly and simply pushing it down with a glove ain't gonna do it. The flying knee is intended to go through opponent vs. to opponent. Not to say there aren't exceptions, but still i'd proceed with caution using those techniques.

I don't push it down. I push it to the side. I'll either use my hand if I have time or elbow if it got too deep before I see it. If I'm on point, I'll parry with a curve knee. Main point though, it is never straight down, but to the side to turn them.

 

[ssullivan80]

I don't push it down. I push it to the side. I'll either use my hand if I have time or elbow if it got too deep before I see it. If I'm on point, I'll parry with a curve knee. Main point though, it is never straight down, but to the side to turn them.

I see, that makes more sense. IMO it's still a bit risky, as a well executed flying knee that isn't telegraphed you don't know what knees coming until the last second or until it gets there. The flying knee when it's well executed is intended to be deceiving, the rear leg may be the one that comes up when leaping forward, but a counter rotation of the hips and the opposite knee becomes the striking knee. vice versa.

 

[SummerStriker]

I see, that makes more sense. IMO it's still a bit risky, as a well executed flying knee that isn't telegraphed you don't know what knees coming until the last second or until it gets there. The flying knee when it's well executed is intended to be deceiving, the rear leg may be the one that comes up when leaping forward, but a counter rotation of the hips and the opposite knee becomes the striking knee. vice versa.

It is worth looking into finding another way for me. It isn't like I was taught to do it. I just started doing it and it worked for me. Never really thought about it before today.

Good thread

 

[snizzar]

IMO: In this order from best-worst

- Move out the damn way (and as noted below, move up and away vs under or low). Ideally, at an angle. It's fairly easy to counter a guy who misses a flying knee as he is landing/lands, he'll by defensively compromised as he comes down and if you get just far enough back that you can set your feet as he's coming down you can attack him with just about anything (just look for the shot).

- Stick your glove/palm in the middle of his chest at an upward angle / (cover with other glove)..... just be cautious to get your head back/away and make sure that knee doesn't get underneath. I typically just lean slightly from the waist, away from the kneeing leg and use an outstretched arm (same side as knee) like a pole in opponents chest. I've seen experienced MT fighters use an upward elbow to do this, spear the opponent in the chest/solar plexus (im lanky, so the outstretched arm seems much safer for me personally).

-Get tall and cover up, as a last resort you can simply pull your head back and cover up. Just make sure your not leaning or dropping forward when your covering. This option is not ideal, as a flying knee that is well thrown will smash up whatever it hits and do some damage, including your guard. Still beats the hell out of taking it on the chin. Just be careful when you pull up to cover you're using your guard to protect your lower ribs too, as that knee gets in under your guard it'll do a number on them.......shit hurts! Personally, I use a cross arm block to cover up x...... but whatever works best.

As for countering a flying knee, I think it best to defend it first then attack the opponent right after defending. Unless it's exceptionally well timed or your opponent really telegraphs that flying knee. Attempting to counter flying knee (as opponents throwing it) is usually what ends up with guys getting KTFO by them. Either attack them before they get off the ground or as they come down (defend first).

Thanks Sullivan. This info was great and exactly what I needed. If we could I'd totally rep+ lol.

 

[snizzar]

It is worth looking into finding another way for me. It isn't like I was taught to do it. I just started doing it and it worked for me. Never really thought about it before today.

Good thread

Haha yeah. I've tried searching for youtube vids/other threads for info on the flying knee but most of them are on how to execute the strike itself, not defend, so I thought I'd try to get more insight.

When you say you parry though, would you try and use your lead hand/elbow to do so?

 

[SummerStriker]

Haha yeah. I've tried searching for youtube vids/other threads for info on the flying knee but most of them are on how to execute the strike itself, not defend, so I thought I'd try to get more insight.

When you say you parry though, would you try and use your lead hand/elbow to do so?

It depends on the leg they throw. I always try to pass to the outside and step to the outside. If they throw the left leg, you parry with the right hand. If you parry across your body and open their hips on something like that, you will be on the receiving end of a superman punch.

 

[hell wall]

Over hand right whilst the opponent is in mid air... this will yield the kayo, I truly beleive it to be the best counter blow to stop the dreaded floating knee

 

[apizur**]

It depends on the leg they throw. I always try to pass to the outside and step to the outside. If they throw the left leg, you parry with the right hand. If you parry across your body and open their hips on something like that, you will be on the receiving end of a superman punch.

I was taught to parry across the body because it turns their hips which ends their offensive chain and puts them in prime position for shots.... like a teep kick defense.

I feel like the flying knee is the most shoulder roll-able technique on the market, now that I think about it. Just angle off and eat it in the shoulder, snap back with a punch.

 

[SummerStriker]

I was taught to parry across the body because it turns their hips which ends their offensive chain and puts them in prime position for shots.... like a teep kick defense.

I feel like the flying knee is the most shoulder roll-able technique on the market, now that I think about it. Just angle off and eat it in the shoulder, snap back with a punch.

I confused myself reading my post. I talked too much. I got elbowed in the head training tonight. I'll blame it on that sense the headache is still there.

I don't know that I do it like the teep defense. For the teep, I use my right arm to parry their right leg, because I need my left arm to guard my head in case it was a feint into a round house kick.

For the knee, I use my left arm to parry their right knee, because it won't turn into a round house, but I need my right arm available to block their left hook in case they aren't turned by the parry and continue a combo.

I hope that makes sense. On either kick, the knee or the teep, I still trying to turn them so I can see their back.

 

[apizur**]

So knee parry, push across the the body; teep parry, pull across the body?

 

[SummerStriker]

So knee parry, push across the the body; teep parry, pull across the body?

Pretty much