The Muay Thai Leg Kick has always held a special place in my heart.
One’s ultimate goal when fighting should always be to break the spirit of your opponent. When you knock someone out they have no choice in the matter. Their spirit is momentarily turned off. When you tap someone out, they realize that the smart move is to live to fight another day. But when you take someone out with a Leg Kick, they are perfectly conscious and aware. They can continue to fight if they want to.
Most times, they choose not to because of the excruciating pain and this is the moment that their spirit breaks.
How do I know this you ask? I’ve been there, on the receiving end, a couple of times.
The following is an in depth look at the anatomical structure of the nerves and muscles in the leg and the most efficient ways to render them inoperable. In addition we have included several set ups, combinations and techniques for using the information provided by the anatomical study.
As a side note, we learned from Dr. Cacciamani that there are two ways to cripple and immobilize the leg. 1 is an attack to the primary nerve structures (e.g. the Sciatic Nerve) and 2 is an attack on the muscle tissue. From our research, the difference is generally that nerve attacks immediately cause the temporary loss of control for the limb. Whereas muscle tissue attacks cause swelling, cramping/knotting, and gradual deterioration of muscle function.
This makes sense if you think about it. You can take out the structures that send messages to and from a muscle/group of muscles or you can pulverize the muscle itself. Bottom line is, if your opponent can’t or doesn’t want to move his/her leg anymore, you’ve pretty much done the job.
Included are some diagrams for reference. And below that are a series of videos showing how we like to apply the information we’ve learned from Dr. Cacciamani and from our independent research.
![]() Anterior Neuromuscular Anatomy of Human Leg |
![]() Posterior Neuromuscular Anatomy of Human Leg |
You can watch them in any order you wish, but
I have tried to assemble them in a loosely organized fashion in hopes that our readers will see how the various techniques can be used to compliment each other
and to form a catch all for reactions, energies, and defenses to any one particular attack.

Top View of Fascia and Nerves in Human Leg
Due to time constraints, I have initially included only 5 additional clips in this article. I will be updating it often over the following weeks until all the following clips are published:
- Jab + Cross + Right Kick (unloaded leg theory)
- Right Kick Counter to the Jab + Cross (loaded leg theory)
- Jab + Cross + Hook + Right Kick (loaded leg theory)
- Overhand Right + Left Kick (loaded leg theory)
- Left Kick Retaliation to Right Kick (loaded leg theory)
- Draw Step Set Up for the Right Kick (loaded leg theory)
- Swing Kick Counter to the Right Kick (neutral leg theory)
- Outside Angle Kick Counter to the Jab + Cross (neutral leg theory)
- Jab Set Up for the Outside Angle Kick (neutral leg theory)
- Left Inside Leg Kick Set Up for the Right Kick or Outside Angle Kick (neutral leg Theory)
- Calve Punt(neutral leg theory)
- Over-Riding The System, Forearm Chop, Knee, Heel Kick from the Clinch
- Forearm Smash Attack vs Guard Pass Prevention
- Elbow Spike Guard Opener



The Anatomy of the Muay Thai Kickboxing MMA Leg Kick and Beyond …: The following is an in depth look at the an.. http://bit.ly/wjjoi
Loved @DamageCtrlMMA ‘s article on devastating muay thai leg kicks for #mma. Great videos & diagrams. http://bit.ly/4fdbH4
[...] you know the muay Thai leg kick is one of my favorite techniques. I recently came across this link . It’s a really well done set of videos on the targeting with the leg kick. the part I enjoyed [...]
Great article & video of the anatomy of the Muay Thai Leg Kick: http://tinyurl.com/yl2pzt2
RT @RenzoGracieBJJ: Great article & video of the anatomy of the Muay Thai Leg Kick: http://tinyurl.com/yl2pzt2
Very comprehensive breakdown of Muay Thai techniques, physiology, & kinesiology of the combinations. http://tinyurl.com/yl2pzt2
RT @RenzoGracieBJJ: Great article & video of the anatomy of the Muay Thai Leg Kick: http://tinyurl.com/yl2pzt2
Excelente material! RT @RenzoGracieBJJ: Very comprehensive breakdown of Muay Thai techniques, physiology…. http://tinyurl.com/yl2pzt2
A Great writeup provided by my good friend @MaJeStu about the Thai/MMA leg kick : http://bit.ly/7IC7hw
Here's a great article on Leg Kicks – The Anatomy of the Muay Thai Kickboxing MMA Leg Kick and Beyond: http://bit.ly/8TQlju via @addthis
The Anatomy of the Muay Thai Kickboxing MMA Leg Kick and Beyond | Damage Control MMA http://is.gd/eggHE