Lead Teep
Teeps · Lead side (Orthodox left, Southpaw right)
Push kick off the lead leg; the jab of the legs, controls distance.
How to throw it
Lift the lead knee, then extend the leg and drive the ball of the foot into the target, pushing through your hips as the foot lands. Keep your hands up and lean your upper body back slightly to counterbalance the push and protect your chin. Retract the leg sharply and reset your stance so you are not left standing on one leg.
When to use it
This is the jab of the legs: use it constantly to measure and control distance, interrupt an opponent's forward pressure, and break their rhythm before they can set their feet. It keeps aggressive fighters at the end of your range and sets up your rear-hand and kicking follow-ups.
Common mistakes
- Pushing with a straight leg and no knee lift first, which turns it into a slow shove instead of a snapping push kick.
- Dropping the hands as the leg extends, leaving the chin open if the teep is caught or slips.
- Leaving the foot out after contact instead of retracting fast, giving the opponent a leg to catch and sweep.