Also called Catch and counter, Catch and sweep
A kick catch traps the opponent's body kick or teep as it lands, leaving them hopping on one leg. From there you can sweep the standing leg, strike or dump them to the canvas. The catch buys you a moment, not a rest: the counter has to follow straight away, before they hop free or punch.
Satori's coaches are filming every technique, full speed and slow motion from two angles. Until it's up, the diagram shows the movement step by step.
How to do it
- 1Absorb the body kick with the arm on that side, turning slightly with it.
- 2Scoop under the leg with the same arm and trap it against your ribs.
- 3Against a teep, catch the heel with your lead hand and turn the foot off line.
- 4Step off to the side and sweep the standing leg, or strike with your free hand.
- 5Keep your chin tucked while you hold the leg; their hands are still free.
- Reaching out to grab the kick instead of letting it land on your arm first.
- Hanging on to the leg with no follow-up, which gives them time to recover.
- Dropping your guard, so the opponent punches you while you hold their leg.
Safety: Sweep only at slow speed onto mats with partners who can breakfall, and let go of the leg as they fall.
Drills
Your partner throws slow body kicks and teeps; catch each one, then drill two answers: a sweep of the standing leg onto a mat and a straight punch to a mitt.
Legends known for it
We teach it in Striking. A coach will fix the details you can't see yourself. Join now and book your first class for $20, paid online.