Catches are a technique used in Muay Thai to control your opponent’s limbs and set up strikes, sweeps, and throws. They can be used to counter punches, kicks, and even clinches. This advanced technique can be a powerful tool for scoring points and winning fights. 

Utilising the catch can take away your opponent’s game and it gives you a more well-rounded defensive strategy, but also sets you up for some powerful strikes or a sweep that makes your opponent think twice about throwing their next kick. 

Here are a few of the most common reasons for using the catch:

• To Control Your Opponent: Catches can be used to control your opponent’s limbs and prevent them from striking you. This can give you a significant advantage in the fight.
• To Set Up Strikes: Once you have caught your opponent’s limb, you can use it as a lever to deliver punches, elbows, or knees. This can be a very effective way to score points and damage your opponent’s confidence.
• To Score Points: If you can control your opponent and land strikes, you can score the points needed to win the fight.

How To Catch A Kick In Muay Thai

You might think that it’s just about catching a kick, but catching is a more advanced defensive technique, that can be very effective if done correctly. It’s also good to remember that catching the kick is also about absorbing the blow.

• Step away from the kick as it comes in use a swooping arm motion to catch the kick. Absorbing the kick is almost as important as catching the leg. 
• Breaking your opponent’s posture is the next step. Controlling their balance is key so you don’t pull them in and set yourself up for an elbow to the head.
• Once your opponent is hopping around on one leg trying to maintain their balance, you can kick their lower leg and sweep them down, grab their head for a knee, or throw their leg and spin them into a hook punch. 

The key things to keep in mind when using catches in Muay Thai:

• Timing Is Everything: You need to be able to time your catches correctly. If you are too early or too late, your opponent will be able to avoid your catch.
• Use Your Weight And Leverage: Once you have caught your opponent’s limb, you need to use your weight and leverage to control them. This will make it more difficult for them to escape your catch.
• Be Patient And Don’t Force Catches: It is important to be patient when attempting catches. Do not force catches, as this will make you more likely to be unsuccessful. Instead, wait for the right opportunity and then execute the catch with precision. This will become more of an automatic move over time. 
• Use Catches To Set Up Other Attacks: Catches can be used to set up other attacks, such as punches, kicks, elbows, or sweeps. This is a great way to increase your offensive options and catch your opponent off guard.

Types Of Catches

There are different types of catches that can be used in Muay Thai. Some of the most common types of catches include:

• Punch Catches: Punch catches are used to counter punches. When your opponent throws a punch, you can catch their arm and use it to control them. This can give you an opening to land a strike of your own.
• Kick Catches: Kick catches are used to counter kicks. When your opponent throws a kick, you can catch their leg and use it to control them. This can give you an opening to land a strike of your own.
• Clinch Catches: Clinch catches are used to control your opponent in the clinch. When you are in the clinch with your opponent, you can use catches to control their arms and legs. This can give you an opening to land strikes or throw your opponent.

How To Utilise Catches

Catches are a powerful tool that can be used to turn your opponent’s attacks against them. There are many different ways to utilise catches, but some of the most common include:

• Countering With A Knee Strike: When you catch your opponent’s kick or punch, you can quickly respond with a knee strike to their thigh or midsection.  
• Sweeping The Supporting Leg: When you catch your opponent’s kick, you can sweep their supporting leg out from under them to knock them down.
• Following Up With An Elbow Strike: Once you’ve caught your opponent’s strike, you can use the opening to deliver a powerful elbow strike to their head or body. 
• Taking Your Opponent Down: When you catch your opponent’s leg, you can use your arms to pull them off balance and take them down to the mat. This method is especially effective when catching a teep.  
• Disrupting Your Opponent’s Balance: By catching your opponent’s kick or punch, you can disrupt their balance and set them up for a counter-attack. This is a great way to create openings for strikes.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

There are a few common mistakes that people make when using catches. Here are a few things to avoid:

• Being Too Predictable: If you are too predictable with your catches, your opponent will be able to avoid them.
• Overextending Yourself: When you catch your opponent’s limb, you need to be careful not to overextend yourself. If you do, you will be vulnerable to being countered.
• Not Using Your Weight And Leverage: Once you have caught your opponent’s limb, you need to use your weight and leverage to control them. If you don’t use your weight and leverage, your opponent will be able to escape your catch.

The catch requires, speed, balance, and strength. You have to be able to maintain control of your opponent’s leg while maintaining your own balance. The first thing they will want to do is get their leg back after you have caught it and while they are pulling back you can move forward with an elbow, or grab the head and pull them down for a knee strike. 

In the end, the success of this technique will come down to how much you practice it. Sparring practice is the time to work this technique until it becomes second nature. 

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