Learning Curve Knees in Clinch

Me demonstrating a sweep from a curve knee in the clinch at a Vagabond Warriors Seminar I gave for Forest Karate School in Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, UK. My demonstration partner is Daragh Breathnach, Wing Tsun teacher from Naven, Ireland.

07.10.2025

As with my lesson on Friday, my client was introduced to curve knees, which have an important place in the Thai clinch. This clients is onto the second hour of his first Muay Thai private course with me, his third martial arts course over all since we began working together. Having looked at some basic footwork and arm positioning in the clinch last lesson, we are now moving deeper (or should I say closer) into the clinching range.

In a Muay Thai fight, the clinch quickly becomes very close because both nak muays are seeking to counter any chance of their opponent throwing a big straight or long knee. Using their hips to block this attack, leaves them with one option to break posture using circular movements and striking with curve knees. The curve knee strikes comes from the side and is mainly directed to hips. Both fighters use combinations of pulls and pushes on the head, arms or body to topple an opponent's posture from the top whilst knee-bumping and sweeping at the bottom at the same time as throwing curve knees. This game gets quite intricate with little room dominate holds from the top, often moving into waist-locks.

In Muay Thai the clinch is an extremely important range, where all the big scoring with elbows, knees and takedowns is done. However, the rules geared towards effective striking so you cannot just wrestle your opponent. The rules on sweeps can be quite confusing too with the general rule of thumb being: do not lift your opponent, perform an obvious hip throw, trip or reep with the legs, and always couple your grappling moves with decisive strikes.

1. Clinch only sparring with sweeps

2. Close range clinching to encourage circular movement ready to layer on the curve knees

3. Curve knee drill - introduction to curve knees - one fighter throws a curve knee and then breaks the posture of his opponent when he tries to counter. Take turns then switch the leg used to throw knee strikes

4. Curve knees only sparring

5. Clinch sparring

6. Belly pad curve knee practice

7. Heavy bag curve knee practice - technique for 1 minute, speed for 1 minute, power for 1 minute

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