Calf Kick vs. Thigh Kicks: The Ultimate Guide to Leg Strikes in Muay Thai & MMA

[@TheWillToFight]

I just absolutely love a leg kick such a game changer

[@MMAShredded]

💯!

[@unknownentity8256]

Were u a boxer before? Leg kicks have been around, calf kicks were popularized in the 2000's though, in MMA at least.

[@krystofcisar469]

game changer since forever :D :D

[@TheWillToFight]

@@unknownentity8256 I did actually start off boxing lol yeah I’ve been using leg kicks for like ever as well didn’t necessarily mean it’s a game changer today just in general and it’s actually surprising how many people don’t really use it correctly in my opinion

[@TheWillToFight]

@@krystofcisar469 yeah, pretty much but like I said, it’s surprising how many people don’t actually use it correctly

[@SuperNontheist]

Nice breakdown!

[@MMAShredded]

Thank you!!!

[@jeremycornejo1542]

Jeff Chan's vids gotta be one of the most informative breakdowns out there. not only does he teach the technique, but also shows it that it works in sparring. Do you guys have any KZbin channel recommendations that have the same way of showing information like this?

[@MrAkismalam]

Gabriel Varga channel.. excellent fighter

[@victorfreedom93]

As a kyokushin guy I really needed this video. My level skyrocketed due to learn from your videos

[@MMAShredded]

I am glad to hear that :)

[@deankearney1374]

Easily my favourite coach on the entire internet no question about it 🔥

[@MMAShredded]

Thanks brother !!!

[@ayoub8712]

bro jeff bringing quality videos as usual

[@MMAShredded]

thank you :)

[@zacharywong483]

Concise, yet super informative video, Jeff! Awesome job!

[@MMAShredded]

thank you bro!!

[@raymorr8713]

Huge inspiration Jeff I love these videos :)

[@MMAShredded]

Thanks man!!

[@sanda-wingchun]

​@@MMAShredded, so do I. I appreciate your videos! The way you described how distance management, set ups and follow up techniques dictates the selection of kick type is GOLD. I like to practice a variation of calf kick/lower leg kick that I'm curious if you have ever seen it. If you have time, please take a look in these Shorts I linked below. I would appreciate your thoughts! In sparring, the first one is inside the second one is outside and more similar to typical calf kick: kzbin.infoAIOYyJ-Pm38?si=WSVurcH6hBfF_Zcd Here a drill with follow up techniques: kzbin.infoSO0KHPsGB9g?si=KGAaleA55BJAVRej

[@ezequielabrego4040]

Excelente video Jeff. Muchas gracias.

[@MMAShredded]

Thanks for watching :)

[@childishwoppa]

This video was such a good education for when to use calf kicks and how! Really educational video thank you!

[@MMAShredded]

No prob :)

[@joshuahall1656]

I've been successful with my left lead leg kicking to the inside lead leg calf. I set it up in different ways. My sparring partners say it not only hurts, but it takes them off balance. This gives me opportunities to follow up. If I'm fighting or sparring a south paw, I'll go for that outside lead leg calf.

[@MMAShredded]

Awesome!

[@unknownentity8256]

I don't really have favourites between these techniques since they have different applications even though they're similar, but completely different due to elevation. If opponent light on lead leg, = thigh if they're heavy on lead leg = calf, if they're 50/50 then it's just a game of timing & angles, so both work there. Time & place for both, but depending on opponent style might be only one.

[@MMAShredded]

Cheers!!!

[@ThaHangman]

Your right cross exiting with the lateral thigh kick looks really smooth. Reminds me of Dominick Cruz

[@MMAShredded]

Thanks!!

[@scottmarlow6018]

love how you also blend in the foot sweep and double leg!

[@MMAShredded]

thanks man!

[@MrAkismalam]

Awesome info...reeaaally useful..Thank you Jeff Chan...Salutes from Greece.

[@MMAShredded]

thanks for watching!!

[@bingavtoski]

The video got bots spamming dislikes, the view vs like/dislike ratio is suspicious. Thanks for the great info Jeff.

[@MMAShredded]

Thanks for watching !!

[@JM.MEL_]

gold right here. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@MMAShredded]

thank you!!

[@johndrake5467]

Great breakdown! Every time I see a calf kick in MMA I've always thought to myself why isn't it getting checked but now I know. I like that the calf kick can change into a foot sweep.

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@akadj4658]

Thank you for sharing.

[@roxyraphi]

Never really tried calf kick that much, gonna try that, thanks !🔥 (excellent video btw)

[@MMAShredded]

thanks man!

[@Brunoorozcocmbtvs]

wonderful ! ...true knowledge here

[@MMAShredded]

thank you!!

[@NexusJunisBlue]

Very educational! Thanks for sharint! 🙂

[@MMAShredded]

I wana see more from you!!!

[@MMAShredded]

Calf kicks *

[@NexusJunisBlue]

*sharing

[@blazs2989]

I'll use this info for my next boxing match

[@super-fc6tz]

I train mauy thai since I was young but I never know what you shared today thanks Jeff

[@MMAShredded]

No prob!

[@janhundling4647]

Could you do a video on how to throw a calf kick? Specifically, Im confused as to with what part of you shin/foot you hit with and what the angle of the kick should be. Thanks

[@vince5758]

Love it! Thanks Jeff!

[@MMAShredded]

Thanks for watching !!

[@BoomItsVinny]

Brother Jeff, are you planning on fighting again? So excited to see you on the One roster a few years back but haven't heard of anything since then

[@Zach_Morrow]

I’ve always been confused about the damage caused by calf kicks. From my experience, thigh kicks hurt way more. When I kick my partner’s calf, it doesn’t hurt them much and vice versa. I don’t know, maybe I’m doing something wrong.

[@MMAShredded]

That’s weird. Did your partner tell you that haha

[@OscarMor5678]

Because of shin guards

[@Zach_Morrow]

@@MMAShredded Actually yes😂. I asked him if it hurt because it didn’t seem like it bothered him too much and he said no, even when I went a bit harder. Since then, I exclusively use thigh kicks and they seem to be working way better for whatever reason

[@Zach_Morrow]

@@OscarMor5678 yeah maybe that’s the reason

[@yuri_cobaia]

One partner its not enough to make the statement, make sure to try with more people maybe your partner is heavier than you and you just dont have the strenght to put damage in him with your skill and weight level

[@ArnasLeo]

What a great video ❤🔥🔥🔥

[@MMAShredded]

thank you!!

[@0HellSlayer0]

Merci pour cette analyse.

[@christopherburns6403]

I use both. Mainly calve kick with my rear and inside thigh with my lead but I have some combos I use a chopping rear low kick with. I like to mix it up but I definitely use the calve kick the most

[@MMAShredded]

Cheers!

[@TheReaperOfChess]

2:10 OMG that's me recording in the back lol

[@MMAShredded]

Hahahaha

[@WarmPillow-hs6kj]

Do you have any recommendations for kickboxing/Muay Thai gloves and shinguards?

[@Staroy]

Question, what is best to resist calf kicks - having small calves (runner) or big calves with good muscle insertions (e.g. bodybuilder)?

[@MMAShredded]

Can’t resist, must block or dodge!

[@alejop9099]

I'm a Muay thai practitioner since 1y6m back. They don't allow us to throw calf kicks. My theories are: - Stylistically frawned upon in traditional Muay thai - although proven to be effective, for not too advanced practitioners it could generate bad habits as per hip movement when throwing the "chop-down" classic thigh kick or body kick - high chances of turn you off for the rest of the session 😂 Edit: - when checked I believe you could break your shin as you are kicking with the flat part of tibia bone, or foot bones

[@MMAShredded]

Harder to land calf kicks on Muay Thai stance!

[@John-fk1ny]

Thank you sir.. For the tips

[@MMAShredded]

No prob!

[@csongip4058]

I've always liked to slowly drain my opponents with body strikes, and thigh kicks.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@johnjackson9459]

As a super heavyweight. I'm terrified of lowkicking the thigh because it ends up hitting the tip of the knee how do I properly set up to hit the thogh meat

[@KastorKain]

thx Jeff!

[@MMAShredded]

no prob!

[@armandodecrescenzo9262]

Southpaw vs Conventional. Which one is preferred/better? Calf/thigh? Inside/outside?

[@MMAShredded]

I like calf !

[@academieartsmartiaux360mma9]

I love calf kick 👌 nice strategies 👊

[@MMAShredded]

thanks!!

[@Coach-MG]

Yuki Yoza, calf kicks and mai geri leg attacks in K1 kickboxing

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@Coach-MG]

@MMAShredded Chama

[@altanbilen5928]

Is it actually just turning you leg 45 degrees to check a calf kick? Because I seem to remember the calf kick just hurting the front part of the muscle and partially damaging you. I thought this is what happened in conor vs dustin 2. Thanks for your time!

[@MMAShredded]

yes just turning it!

[@Comeouttoshowthem]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@MMAShredded]

No prob!!

[@Utuberj0sh]

Does thigh kick include inside thigh kick it does that come with its own pros and cons / considerations list? And somewhat related, how come we don’t see inside calf kicks as much. Is it because the calf muscle is on the outside? I imagine you could still hook their foot and sweep.

[@GodSejeong]

Calf kick seems to be a good punish for people who kicks halfway through (not spinning back or recovering fast enough). If they landed with the kicking leg at the front, it's gonna be a bit harder to check kicks and I think that's a good timing to try and land a calf kick.

[@MMAShredded]

Cheers!

[@keeanuherrera3846]

How to avail for the heavybag workout

[@junichiroyamashita]

I have been wondering, if i have Jay Cutler legs, with big quad sweep and hamstrings(important) would that work as natural armor,due to the mass and stability given by such dense muscle? Are legs kicks things that can be eaten if you are Actually Built Different, or an automatic reaction,like the button in boxing? After all, muscle training strenghten bones and ligaments too, and kickboxers train their legs, so there must be a strenghtening principle behind? I have seen people swear that muscles do not help,and you cannot train for it, but old Karate had thigh conditioning too,and harder muscles help everywhere else.

[@MMAShredded]

I believe in conditioning the thigh but not the calf!

[@Hapkumdo]

Great Video - what's up with the dislikes???

[@MMAShredded]

Haha no idea !

[@TahsinShafin-h9w]

No matter how hard I try I can't release my kicks, keeping my toes up. Can you please make a video on how we can keep our toes up during kicks? Or you can answer me Here in detail.

[@MMAShredded]

I’m not sure how to fix that, I can only think of consciously think about it when you do it and more drilling !

[@Utuberj0sh]

Does thigh kick include inside thigh kick or does that come with its own pros and cons / considerations list? And somewhat related, how come we don’t see inside calf kicks as much. Is it because the calf muscle is on the outside? I imagine you could still hook their foot and sweep.

[@MMAShredded]

I use the inside footsweep all the time! It’s a very Muay Thai thing since the stance keeps the lead leg pointing outwards. Inside footsweep isn’t great against guys who point their shins inwards

[@Utuberj0sh]

@@MMAShredded ohh very interesting point I hadn’t thought of that! Thanks!

[@AnasMohamed-t3k]

Useful video

[@MMAShredded]

Thx!

[@NZ77-rf9qj]

jeff how can i kick the legs without worrying my shin wont snap in 2 like silva or weidman?

[@MMAShredded]

set them up haha sorry dont got a good answer!

[@NZ77-rf9qj]

@MMAShredded not a problem jeff. I'm just honoured to get a reply!!

[@ahmedk-rj9je]

Calf kick has to be my favorite kick! Least predictable and fastest, and the damage is pretty good. And if you time it perfectly and hit hard enough you can sweep your opponent.

[@MMAShredded]

💪💪💪

[@carljohnson4285]

Which is better? Why not use both for their correct situations

[@NewMicah-v5p]

Good stuff

[@MMAShredded]

thanks!!

[@KAANTAMTUNALI]

I love both, when i first started muay thai way back we learned tigh kicks and i remeber we tried to catch eachother when we were not aware and run away , the person who got hit couldn't run ahhh high school times :)

[@MMAShredded]

Hahahha nice!

[@redeyezgenoc2346]

Why not kick in the middle, the side of the knee ligaments?

[@MMAShredded]

You def can!

[@dioervr6369]

Calf kicks are magic

[@MMAShredded]

Yes!

[@shahrokhsagadi]

Hello, does Jeet Kune do sport have official world competitions? like the ufc? And if not, can I enter ufc competitions with professional training in Jeet Kune do?

[@MMAShredded]

im not sure sorry!!

[@thesuitcasegang]

Calf kick is so.much harder to catch with a hand :)

[@MMAShredded]

Yeah!!

[@lengendaryleo3578]

There's a Japanese kickboxing champion named Yuki Yoza. Yoza is a Kyokushin Karate guy. He throws front snap kicks to his opponent's inner thigh. He attacks both the lead leg and rear leg. He uses his front snap kicks to set up uppercuts. He's so good at landing front kicks to his opponent's legs that they named the technique after him. It's now called a "Yoza Kick". Yoza is also a master of calf kicks. Do you think it's a good idea to throw front snap kicks at your opponent's inner thigh?

[@MMAShredded]

ive never had to deal with that or never tried it so im not sure sorry!

[@JOHNDOE-ry6rd]

Make a video about inner vs outer leg kick

[@MMAShredded]

ill see what I can do!!

[@cumdemon5967]

What about an opposite stance matchup?

[@MMAShredded]

Can kick with lead leg!

[@swekiwi4517]

​@@MMAShreddeddo you find that less effective? If you are in southpaw and try to calf kick/sweep?

[@azraelrose]

Thanks for the videoo, i use more the calf kick when I notice that my oponnent put a lot of weight in his front foot, its just beautiful to use it when they are charging forward hahaha, but when they are taller than me i have to say that I kick more the thigh, because when I try to couter attack with the calf kick, usually I am still in range of their punch. In conclusion, its better if you can use both hahaha

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!!

[@phantom3146]

1:43 Jeff Chan more like freaky Chan

[@clanterminaition3257]

👶🛢👨🏿🎉

[@MMAShredded]

Haha!

[@ichesskeinlabskaus]

i'll try this against my boxing friend ^^

[@MMAShredded]

Hah!!

[@madmaster3d]

mr jacky chan i have a quesiton my friend do calf kick is legal in kickboxing? ( special amatuar kickboxing ) *muay thai is best*

[@MMAShredded]

Would be best to double check with the organization ! I’d imagine you can kick the calf but I’m not sure !

[@madmaster3d]

@@MMAShredded ty

[@madmaster3d]

@@MMAShredded ty

[@AissamElkirafi]

Can you foot sweep in kickboxing? Faking a cross into a footsweep

[@AissamElkirafi]

Is that legal

[@MohamedAli-lk3ul]

Awesome

[@MMAShredded]

🙏🙏

[@Nixey.A]

Haii can u make tawanchai tactics?😱

[@MMAShredded]

I’ll see what I can do!

[@b.5815]

I'm just sparring so for me I take the attitude of having some fun while some others want to take my head off. So, I prefer calf kicks to disrupt my partners forward momentum without much effort .. which allows me to play and frustrate them. Once I see my opponent breathing hard, see the mouth open up and mad .. I can do whatever.

[@MMAShredded]

cheers!

[@irecatori]

Wish some of these were in slow motion

[@jonstermoniz1458]

Funny enough I find the calf kick harder to check then the thigh kick.

[@k24in31]

Fight tips Shane vs Jeff mmashredded chan sparring session in the future?

[@DanTheWolfman]

Interesting After my Calf Kick 3 Defenses vid. Youngings won't believe but I really should be considered one of the Godfathers of Calf Kicks teaching it & articles since 2012. So 1. MARLON SANDRO 2. DANTHEWOLFMAN 3. THEN BENSON HENDERSON. It's not just Benson

[@Dan_D380]

But what if the opponent uses Kioken to speed blitz behind you? Clearly this leave you open...

[@broman23]

Not first.

[@WyteChinpira]

Thanks Jeff my grandma wont stand a chance. Edit: She won..

[@MMAShredded]

Hahaaa

[@WyteChinpira]

@@MMAShredded 🫡🤣

[@rnaD86]

Calf kicks are just percussive footsweeps, change my mind.

[@MMAShredded]

true!!

[@danielmaxwell7827]

Rate improvements

[@sportmuaythaiv1045]

Just my observation, muaythai concentrate on thigh, behind the knee, and ankle area. If it's a calf kick, it's a slight off the mark.

[@nawowl125]

still here tryna ask jeff to review the FMA called yaw yan🙁

[@jakeObryan283]

Calf kicks are effective, my problem is my feet and shin badly hurt when i don't land my kicks perfectly right. So i prefer to use my everyday thigh kicks.

[@MMAShredded]

Cheers!

[@kingmatrix1345]

So dangerous to use calf k against a checker especially if they use a Muay Thai stance💀 Also to point out, against opp stance like southpaw, the thigh kick is king because i can reach the far upper quad unlike the shallow calf kick which only gives me the option to attack the lead leg.

[@ConsultingHumor]

My calves are monstrous idk what chu talkin bout❤

[@MMAShredded]

Haha

[@judgegerald1275]

Thigh gang 🦵

[@MMAShredded]

💪💪

[@egementanik2170]

Calf kick is a forced level change for the opponent: You mess up with their blood pressure as they go down. Even if they get up, they have spent energy. If they don't fall or get up, gives them something to think about. Whereas, thigh kicks can really hurt because of how many nerves are over there. Lower extremities have lesser nerves and smaller blood vessels. So thigh kicks are more likely to end up in bruises and immobilization if the fight is longer as arteries are more likely to get damaged. Calf kicks are especially good if you are southpaw and always have access to the lead leg on the outside. You can load up your left after following the calf kick + right jab, lending to a 3 hit combo. Thanks for giving us the analysis and making us think about choice. 🙏

[@MMAShredded]

💪💪

[@tomynanda4302]

My dumbass kicked on the side of their knee, it's still hurt after a month

[@PazCristo]

Which one is better for fighting Zombies?

[@MMAShredded]

hmm I think calf kicks

[@ngominh7598]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤💪🏻😁📝

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@ayske1]

Thigh easily just due to ease and height.

[@MMAShredded]

Cheers!

[@wasabi5338]

it says 1 view, 3 likes lmao

[@MMAShredded]

Lmaooo

[@rancealott]

🙏🤙🙏🤙🙏🤙🙏🤙🙏🤙🙏🤙🙏🤙🙏

[@MMAShredded]

:)

[@nicolasmarza]

Jeff, you always kick the thight with your foot and thats not efficent, watch Edson Barboza vs Khabib, look at Khabib legs, bruised but only on the skin, no harm to the muscle, ive been watching your vids for up to 6 years or something and you always kicked with the foot, i know its dangerous to kick with the shin because youre closer and can get countered, but watch Liam Harrison and learn his ways and i guarante you will become a even more dangerous man

[@MMAShredded]

Lerdsilla and Saenchai both TEACH to kick with the foot/instep. Go watch all the best strikers, Superbon, taiwancha, israel adesanya I can name so many more, all kick with the foot now for more recoil and to be further away from getting hit

[@ryvaleska]

not enough people talk about the actual differences, thank you🫶

[@MMAShredded]

No prob :)

[@SalchichaX]

In a self defense context is better a calf or a thigh kick...or a jon jones's kick to the knee or a stomp kick are more efective with more damage?🫨

[@MMAShredded]

I’d go for calf in self defense !

[@SalchichaX]

@@MMAShredded thank you master!!

[@Joost-qo9im]

Tbh, kicking the knees/nuts would probably cause more damage in self defense