Lead Check
Defence · Lead side (Orthodox left, Southpaw right)
Lift the lead shin to block an incoming kick.
How to throw it
Lift the lead knee and turn the shin outward so the hard edge of your shin meets the incoming kick, with the toes pointed down and the shin angled to take the impact on bone. Keep both hands up to guard your head and stay tall on the standing leg so the block does not knock you off balance. Set the foot back down ready to fire straight back.
When to use it
Check the moment you read a kick coming to your lead-side leg or body; blocking shin to shin protects the vulnerable thigh and can hurt the kicker's instep. A clean check also leaves you loaded on one leg to counter with your own kick as the foot returns.
Common mistakes
- Lifting the knee too low and taking the kick on the thigh or calf instead of the shin.
- Turning the shin inward rather than out, exposing soft tissue and losing the bone-on-bone block.
- Dropping your hands to help balance while checking, opening your head to a punch behind the kick.