Common Striking Techniques used in MMA
Kicking
Front Kick or Push Kick/High Kick: Striking the face or body of an opponent with the balls of the foot.
Side Kick: This strike involves using the heel of the foot with leg parallel to the ground, these kicks can be performed to the legs, head, or body of an opponent.
Roundhouse Kick or Circle Kick: This type of strike involves using the front of the foot or the shin in a chopping motion.
Semi Circular Kick: Essentially just a roundhouse kick on a 45 degree angle.
Hook/Heel Kick: This strike involves extending the leg out to the side of the body, then hooking the leg back to strike the head of an opponent with either the heel or sole of the foot.
Crescent Kick: Similar to a hook kick, but the energy of the snap gets redirected, whipping the leg into an arc motion and hitting the target from the side. Useful for striking the side of the head or for knocking the hands down to follow up with a close range attacks. Some styles teach this kick as a tripping technique.
Axe Kick: This kick goes up and then travels downwards with a lot of momentum striking the opponent with the side or base of the heel.
There are also spinning versions of the back, side, hook, and axe kicks that are performed along with jumping versions.
Punching
Jab: This is a straight punch from the front hand. A jab may be directed at an opponents head, body, and even the leg sometimes.
Cross/Straight: This is a straight punch from the back hand and will commonly follow a jab.
Hook: This is a rounded punch to either to body or head in an arching motion.
Uppercut: A rising punch that comes from underneath and connects with the chin.
Backfist: These are usually thrown with the front hand, they are strikes to the head that involve raising the arm and bending the arm at the elbow, then straighten the arm quickly to strike the side of the head with the rear of the knuckles. Reverse and spinning back fists both usually involve using the rear hand.
Haymaker: The haymaker is a wide angle punch similar to a hook, but instead of generating power from rotating the body, it instead gets its power from the large loop it takes. It’s widely considered an unsophisticated punch and tends to leave the one throwing it open to counters.
Flying/Superman Punch: This is usually done with the rear hand, but fighters like GSP were known to throw the less popular superman jab. The person throwing the punch will hop on the front foot, kicking back with the rear foot and simultaneously extending the rear hand as a punch in the form of superman’s famous technique he uses to fly.
Overhand (Also known as Overcut or drop): a semi-circular and vertical punch commonly thrown with the rear hand. It is usually performed when the opponent is bobbing or slipping. The strategic use of the drop relying on body weight can generate an enormous amount of power.
Knees
Side Knee: This knee strike is a deceptive technique used in close range fighting. The knee is lifted to the toes, then is snapped to the left or right, striking an opponent’s sensitive knee joints or thighs.
Straight Knee: This knee strike is a straight knee delivered with the back leg in an attempt to strike an opponent.
Hook Knee: This knee can be delivered with the front or back leg, the strike makes a half circle spin and connects with the sides of an opponent.
Flying Knee: This knee can be delivered with the front or back leg. This knee strike involves an explosive snap upwards coming off the ground to strike an opponent’s head or body.
Elbows
Snap Elbow: This is the equivalent of a hook with your lead hand and is useful in close quarters combat. Loosen the front hand and shoulder, curl the forearm in tight to your bicep, then finally slice your elbow horizontally across your body.
Cross Elbow: This elbow is similar to a rear hook punch and has more power than your average elbow. To perform this you’d follow the same steps as a snap elbow, but with the back hand instead of the front one.
Up Elbow: An up elbow is similar to an uppercut and just as devastating if not more so. This strike is meant to slice through the middle of the opponents guard and can land to the head, chest, gut, or chin depending on your placement. To perform this you step forward with your lead leg, then swing your elbow in an upward motion, all while keeping your lead hand near your face.
Down Elbow: This elbow is the only elbow on the list that has a bit of wind up to it, which also gives it more power. To throw a down elbow you’d pull your rear shoulder back slightly so your hands are even with each other, swing your elbow slightly above your shoulder and then in a downward motion across your body.
