Rear Catch → Cross

Intermediate

Rear Catch to Cross is a defense-into-offense answer to the body kick. You scoop the incoming shin and fire straight back while the kicker is still recovering on one leg.

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What this combo trains

This pair builds the Thai habit of turning a block into a counter without a pause. Catching the kick under your rear arm controls their balance and buys you a target: an opponent standing on one leg cannot reset or defend, so the cross lands on a stationary head. It sharpens timing, hip rotation under pressure, and the discipline to counter the instant you have control.

Step by step

  1. 1.
    Rear Catch

    Catch the incoming kick under your rear arm, clamping the shin against your body to control it and stop them recovering; keep your lead hand up and your eyes on their head, not the leg.

  2. 2.
    Cross

    The moment you have the leg, drive the cross off the rear hand with full hip rotation into the face while they are still balanced on one leg and cannot slip or step away.

Common mistakes

  • Catching flat-footed and admiring the trap instead of firing the cross immediately, which lets them plant the leg and reset.
  • Dropping your lead hand while you catch, leaving your head open to their own follow-up.
  • Reaching out to catch rather than absorbing the kick against your body, so you lose control of their balance.
  • Throwing the cross with the arm only; without hip rotation there is no power on a target that is standing still and asking to be hit.

Who it suits

An intermediate counter that fits both orthodox and southpaw, since the app mirrors every side to your stance. It suits fighters comfortable reading and catching kicks who want to convert defense straight into offense.

Why it works

Catch the body kick and counter with the cross to the face while they're standing on one leg.

Workouts with this combo

Related combos

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