Frontal headbutt
When to useThe canonical 9th-limb strike. Driven from the clinch into the nose, brow, or chin.
Common follow-upsRear knee, rear elbow.
Interactive
NINE LIMBS
Click any weapon to explore its full technique set.
10 min readUpdated: 2026-04
Click any limb on the figure to see every strike it can throw.
32 total techniques
Head (9th Limb)
head
4 Techniques
Snapping headbutt
When to useShort, whipping contact using the crown of the forehead.
Common follow-upsClinch knee.
Parry headbutt
When to useKaren-style finish: parry a punch, hook the neck, drive the forehead in.
Common follow-upsRear elbow, double knee.
Crown headbutt
When to useDownward strike from a height advantage into the bridge of the nose.
Common follow-upsClinch knee, spinning elbow.
All nine limbs — the complete reference
Lethwei counts nine weapons rather than the eight of Muay Thai: two fists, two elbows, two knees, two feet — and the head. Below is every one of the 32 techniques in the map above, with what each is for and what it sets up.
Grouped by weapon family. Follow-ups are the sequences these strikes most commonly open.
Fists
Lead Fist4 techniques
- Jab
Range finder, interrupt, opening for cross or kick.
Follows intoCross, teep, lead elbow.
- Lead hook
Close-range power shot, common against orthodox opponents.
Follows intoRear cross, rear knee.
- Lead uppercut
Breaks a high guard, exits a clinch entry.
Follows intoLead hook, rear elbow.
- Back-fist
Spin or half-step, often used as a surprise opener.
Follows intoRear elbow, rear round kick.
Rear Fist4 techniques
- Cross
The most common power punch. Thrown straight from the hip through the shoulder.
Follows intoLead hook, rear round kick, clinch entry.
- Rear hook
Less common in Lethwei but devastating when set up behind a cross.
Follows intoRear uppercut, clinch knee.
- Rear uppercut
Cuts under a high guard, closes the distance.
Follows intoCross, clinch entry.
- Overhand
Looping power shot over a parry, common at welter and above.
Follows intoLead hook, clinch knee.
Elbows
Lead Elbow3 techniques
- Horizontal elbow
Close-range slashing strike. Primary cutting weapon in Lethwei.
Follows intoRear elbow, knee, clinch.
- Downward elbow
Delivered from a height advantage into the crown of the skull.
Follows intoClinch knee.
- Spearing elbow
Drives the point of the elbow forward into the face during clinch entry.
Follows intoRear elbow, double knee.
Rear Elbow3 techniques
- Rear horizontal elbow
Power elbow with the full hip rotation of a cross.
Follows intoLead elbow, clinch entry.
- Spinning back elbow
Highlight-reel finisher. Timed off the opponent's advance.
Follows intoLead hook, knee to body.
- Upward elbow
Under the chin from close range.
Follows intoClinch knee, rear knee.
Knees
Lead Knee3 techniques
- Lead straight knee
From the clinch into the ribs or sternum.
Follows intoRear knee, rear elbow.
- Lead skip knee
Stepping knee to the body or thigh.
Follows intoClinch control, cross.
- Curving knee
Wraps around the guard into the ribs.
Follows intoRear knee, horizontal elbow.
Rear Knee3 techniques
- Rear straight knee
The highest-damage knee in Lethwei. From the clinch or closing range.
Follows intoLead knee, rear elbow.
- Flying knee (kao loi)
Committed aerial knee, usually as a counter or finisher.
Follows intoSpinning elbow, cross.
- Clinch double knee
Consecutive rear knees delivered from a dominant clinch grip.
Follows intoHorizontal elbow, throw.
Feet & shins
Lead Foot4 techniques
- Lead teep
Push-kick to maintain distance or disrupt rhythm.
Follows intoCross, rear round kick.
- Lead round kick
Faster and less telegraphed than the rear round kick.
Follows intoCross, rear knee.
- Lead oblique kick
Drives into the quadriceps or knee to break the opponent's stance.
Follows intoCross, clinch entry.
- Lead sweep
Hook or scythe kick behind the opponent's heel, common from a jab entry.
Follows intoStepping elbow, knee pickup.
Rear Foot4 techniques
- Rear round kick
The primary power kick in Lethwei. Shin to thigh, ribs, or head.
Follows intoClinch entry, cross.
- Rear teep
Hard push-kick to the torso to reset or interrupt.
Follows intoCross, rear knee.
- Rear axe kick
Straight-up vertical kick used rarely and against a lower guard.
Follows intoCross, clinch.
- Rear low kick
Chops the lead leg, a staple against southpaws.
Follows intoCross, rear round.
The head
Head (9th Limb)4 techniques
- Frontal headbutt
The canonical 9th-limb strike. Driven from the clinch into the nose, brow, or chin.
Follows intoRear knee, rear elbow.
- Snapping headbutt
Short, whipping contact using the crown of the forehead.
Follows intoClinch knee.
- Parry headbutt
Karen-style finish: parry a punch, hook the neck, drive the forehead in.
Follows intoRear elbow, double knee.
- Crown headbutt
Downward strike from a height advantage into the bridge of the nose.
Follows intoClinch knee, spinning elbow.
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