What exactly is a tiip kick and when is it best used?

[baronbvp]

I think I may have been under a misconception about exactly how a tiip kick is executed and its advantages/disadvantages over the front or side kick. Can't find anything on the web. Can anyone help? Thanks!

[bushido_man96]

I am curious as well. I have heard it mentioned, but I don't think I have ever seen it.

[some0ne]

a Tiip is the Muay Thai front kick...or front push kick. Many different types of Tiips. It can be used offensively or defensively. A good Muay Thai stylist will use this kick, but unfortunately in the USA it's not seen as often as it should be..too many people focus on the dtae/roundhouse.

[baronbvp]

So what is the difference between tiip and other types of front kicks allowed in the US? Is it that you push more instead of striking, perhaps to push away the opponent to increase distance or knock him off balance to the rear? I watched some Muay Thai match videos and couldn't really see. Of course, in the heat of a match very little looks standard.

[cross]

You might have had trouble finding info with that spelling, most of the time ive seen it spelled "teep".

Heres are couple of links that should help you out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSRsRKYXhVI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPorL7_DzCc

http://www.thai-boxing.org/2006/03/20/muay-thai-techniques-push-kick-thaiboxing/

[baronbvp]

Thanks Cross, that's good stuff. I guess I've been using it without knowing that's what it was. It looks to me that the primary difference between a tiip kick and standard front kick is that the tiip is more of a push to the opponent's abdomen with the thigh extended, and a standard front kick is a snap of the lower leg from a chambered thigh for the purpose of striking. Tiip is a long-distance push kick or block using the quads and hamstrings, whereas a regular front kick is more of a close-in strike to a variety of targets. The line looks pretty blurry, though. Does this sound correct?

[some0ne]

The basic tiip is used more long range. It isn't a snap front kick/mae geri and is usually with the ball of the foot. However, there are many different types of tiips which are usually only seen in Thailand. I know that in Master Toddy's new generation, he stresses the tiip a lot to the face and he himself has an amazing one with his heel. Obviously, there are more words added these kinds of tiips but the tiip usually refers to the standard front push kick that you see in muay thai.

I've even had someone tiip me in training and grab my shirt with there toes and pull me in for another short tiip.

[baronbvp]

Now THAT's a nice move. Grabbing the shirt with the toes and pulling your opponent closer.

[cross]

Thanks Cross, that's good stuff. I guess I've been using it without knowing that's what it was. It looks to me that the primary difference between a tiip kick and standard front kick is that the tiip is more of a push to the opponent's abdomen with the thigh extended, and a standard front kick is a snap of the lower leg from a chambered thigh for the purpose of striking. Tiip is a long-distance push kick or block using the quads and hamstrings, whereas a regular front kick is more of a close-in strike to a variety of targets. The line looks pretty blurry, though. Does this sound correct?

You hit the nail on the head.

At the moment i only include 2 kicks(not including stomps) in my training. The thai round kick and the teep(i just call it front kick).

[baronbvp]

Update: I just learned the teep (tiip) kick in my second MT class Wednesday night. It's a good kick I was basically already using in karate to keep an opponent away. It is also a powerful pushing kick you can use to tire the opponent's body or cause his abdominal muscles to cramp in a long fight.

Once thing my instructor said was that the teep is more effective than a snap kick because snap kicks don't work. Even though he is a 5th Dan in Tang Soo Do, I have to disagree with him there as does another guy in my class. I don't snap kick people's abdomens often, unlike the target for a teep, but a snap front kick against a knee, face, groin, etc is very effective IMO. I think what he is saying is that a snap kick against an abdomen or torso isn't the best choice.

There is a place for each of these front kicks in one's arsenal, especially for someone like me whose hips aren't flexible enough for high or sweeping kicks.