COUNTERING THE TALLER FIGHTER
Muay Thai counters for the shorter fighter. Tap the strike they throw, then read how they react and how you answer.
THEY STRIKEThey Lead With the Jab
Open on YouTube ↗ — if it says “unavailable”, that video blocks embedding; swap the link.
A taller fighter’s jab is their range-keeper. Nullify it and close the gap.
YOUR COUNTERCatch-and-cross (parry, then blast inside)
Catch the jab on your rear glove and immediately fire your cross down the same line while stepping in.
THEY REACTThey pull the jab back and re-jab
They snap the jab back and throw another to reset distance.
YOUR ANSWERCatch Again, Step Off-Line
Parry the second jab and take a diagonal step to your lead side. Their reach advantage is gone — enter on an angle.
INSIDE / DONEInside Their Reach
Gap closed. Work the body, dig hooks, or tie up for knees before they reset distance.
YOUR COUNTERSlip outside and counter
Slip your head outside the jab, then answer with a rear cross or lead hook to the body as you step in.
THEY REACTThey follow with the rear cross
Reading your slip, they throw the straight rear hand behind the jab.
YOUR ANSWERRoll Under, Hook the Body
Roll under the cross with hands high and come up with a lead hook to the ribs. Now chest-to-chest.
INSIDE / DONEInside Their Reach
Gap closed. Stay tight, head off the centreline, pile on body shots or clinch up.
YOUR COUNTERLead teep to interrupt it
As they load the jab, spear a lead-leg teep into their hip or belly. Your leg outreaches their arm.
THEY REACTThey catch or sweep your teep
They trap your foot against their body, hoping to dump you while you’re on one leg.
YOUR ANSWERRip Free, Low Kick
Rip your foot down and out while hopping your base leg in, then turn over a low kick to their planted leg.
INSIDE / DONEThey’re Off Balance
The teep stalled their advance. Chase the opening — step in behind it before they recover.
THEY STRIKEThey Push You With the Teep
Open on YouTube ↗ — if it says “unavailable”, that video blocks embedding; swap the link.
The teep is a long stiff-arm to keep you at range. Neutralise it and get past the foot.
YOUR COUNTERCatch the teep and counter
Open on YouTube ↗ — if it says “unavailable”, that video blocks embedding; swap the link.
Scoop the teep with your lead forearm against your body. They’re on one leg — sweep the base or dump them back.
THEY REACTThey hop back and stay balanced
They ride the catch, hopping backward to recover posture and distance.
YOUR ANSWERWalk Them Down, Low Kick
Open on YouTube ↗ — if it says “unavailable”, that video blocks embedding; swap the link.
March forward holding their leg so they can’t plant, then release and chop a low kick to the base leg.
INSIDE / DONEPast the Foot, Inside
You beat the range weapon and closed in. Stay on top — hands, clinch, knees.
YOUR COUNTERParry / sweep it aside and step in
Open on YouTube ↗ — if it says “unavailable”, that video blocks embedding; swap the link.
Sweep the teep across your body with a downward slap of the rear hand and step in diagonally on the cleared side.
THEY REACTThey pull the leg back and re-teep
They snap the leg back and fire a second teep to re-establish the fence.
YOUR ANSWERAngle Off, Rush Behind It
Parry the re-teep and cut a hard angle to their open side, rushing in where the kick can’t reload.
INSIDE / DONEIn the Pocket
Inside the teep’s range. Go to work — the tall fighter hates a busy opponent in their chest.
THEY STRIKEThey Knee in Close
Open on YouTube ↗ — if it says “unavailable”, that video blocks embedding; swap the link.
From the clinch their straight knees are dangerous. Control the tie-up and take away the knee.
YOUR COUNTERFight for double inside control
Swim both arms inside for double underhooks and pull their hips tight to yours. No space = no straight knee.
THEY REACTThey pummel to regain inside position
They swim their arms back inside, fighting for the underhooks and the plum.
YOUR ANSWERWin the Pummel, Turn Them
Keep pummelling to stay inside, drop your level, and turn their hips to break their base — then knee first.
INSIDE / DONEYou Own the Clinch
Inside control, hips pinned, their knees dead. Knee the body, off-balance for a trip, or break on your terms.
YOUR COUNTERFrame on the hips and off-balance them
Open on YouTube ↗ — if it says “unavailable”, that video blocks embedding; swap the link.
Drop your forearms as frames on their hips to create a post. Distance kills the knee’s power.
THEY REACTThey pull your head down for the plum
They snake both hands behind your head into the double collar tie, pulling you onto their knees.
YOUR ANSWERPeel the Plum, Dive Inside
Posture up, peel one collar-tie hand off, press your forehead into their chest, and swim that arm inside to an underhook.
INSIDE / DONETheir Posture Broken
Base disrupted, they can’t knee. Advance to inside control, land a knee, or shove off and reset.