In short
- The teep is a straight push kick delivered with the ball or sole of the foot.
- Its first job is keeping the opponent at range and stopping their momentum.
- Most often aimed at the midsection, sometimes the thigh or the face.
- In MMA it is harder to catch than a round kick.
People call the teep the jab of the legs. The comparison holds, with one difference: it reaches farther than any punch, and landed on an opponent walking forward it can take their breath away.
How to throw it
From your stance, raise the knee toward your chest, leg folded, as if stepping over an obstacle. Then drive the hip forward as the leg extends, landing with the sole of the foot, toes pulled back. The torso leans back slightly for balance, never so much that you tip over. Retract immediately and put the foot back down in stance.
The lead-leg teep is fast and works as a barrier. The rear-leg teep hits harder but is slower and easier to read.
Targets
| Target | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Stomach, solar plexus | Knock the wind out, stop an advance |
| Hip | Stall a charging opponent |
| Lead thigh | Disrupt a kick or a takedown setup |
| Face | Surprise an opponent who drops his head coming in |
Defense and offense
Defensively, the teep pushes back a wrestler trying to close the distance or pin you to the cage, and drains their gas tank. Offensively, a teep to the body as the opponent steps in catches them with their own weight. To the face, it can end fights: Anderson Silva’s front kick knockout of Vitor Belfort at UFC 126 in February 2011 is still the image every practitioner has in mind.
Against the cage, a teep to the hip creates just enough space to turn and get back to the center.
Common mistakes
- Kicking with the toes: injury risk and no effect.
- Skipping the knee lift: a weak push that is easy to catch.
- Leaning too far back: no balance, no force.
- Leaving the leg extended: an open invitation to a leg catch.
Build it on pads with a partner who steps in, then in light sparring whenever your partner tries to clinch, before following up with a low kick or the Thai clinch.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a teep and a front kick?
The teep is a pushing front kick used to manage distance. “Front kick” is a broader term that includes kicks with the ball of the foot or heel meant to do damage.
Is the teep effective in MMA?
Yes, especially to keep wrestlers and clinch fighters at range and to escape the cage.
Can you teep to the face in MMA?
Yes, against a standing opponent. Anderson Silva’s knockout of Vitor Belfort in 2011 is the best-known example.