All Strikes — Complete Reference

The lead-hand straight punch and the single most important strike in Kun Khmer. The jab is your rangefinder, distance manager, combination starter and defensive reset tool. Thrown from the orthodox or southpaw stance, it travels in a straight line from the chin to the target with minimal telegraphing. In Kun Khmer, the jab also sets up devastating follow-up elbows and kicks that are unique to the Cambodian system.

The rear straight — the primary power punch in Kun Khmer. The cross generates force through full hip rotation, transferring power from the rear foot through the hips, torso, and shoulder into the fist. It is the natural follow-up to the jab and the backbone of every combination. Cambodian fighters use the cross to set up the devastating rear roundhouse kick by establishing the same hip rotation pattern.

A short-range arcing punch thrown with the lead or rear hand. The hook travels around the opponent's guard and is devastating at close and mid range. In Kun Khmer, hooks are frequently used to open angles for elbow attacks or to set up the clinch entry. The lead hook to the body is particularly effective for breaking down an opponent's stance and lowering their guard for head kicks.

A vertical rising punch thrown from below, targeting the chin, solar plexus, or body. The uppercut exploits the gaps in a tight guard by attacking from underneath. In Kun Khmer, the uppercut is a key weapon at close range and is often used inside the clinch or during the break. It pairs naturally with the horizontal elbow to create devastating short-range combinations.

Targeted punches to the torso — liver, ribs, solar plexus, and stomach. Body work is the hallmark of an intelligent Kun Khmer fighter. By attacking the body consistently, you slow the opponent, reduce their kicking power, lower their hands (opening the head for elbows and high kicks), and drain their cardio. The body shot is often a straight punch or short hook directed at the midsection.

A looping rear-hand punch thrown over the top of the opponent's guard. The overhand arcs over the high guard and crashes down onto the temple or jaw. It is a high-commitment, high-reward strike that can end fights instantly. In Kun Khmer, the overhand is often used against taller opponents or those with a very tight, narrow guard. It requires excellent timing and should be set up with jabs or feints.

The standard horizontal elbow slash — the bread and butter of Kun Khmer elbow work. Thrown in a straight horizontal line across the opponent's face, the tip of the elbow acts as a blade that cuts on contact. The horizontal elbow is most effective at clinch range and during the break. It is the most commonly used elbow in Cambodian stadium fighting and has produced countless cuts and stoppages.

A rising diagonal elbow that travels upward at a 45-degree angle. This elbow is designed to split the guard and cut the eyebrow or chin from below. It is particularly effective when the opponent has a high, tight guard because it slips between the forearms and gloves. In Kun Khmer competition, the upward diagonal elbow is one of the most frequently used fight-ending techniques.

A devastating downward chopping elbow driven from above onto the crown, forehead, or back of the opponent's head. This elbow is typically used when the opponent ducks, shoots in, or is bent over in the clinch. The downward elbow uses gravity plus muscle power to create tremendous impact. In traditional Kun Khmer, this is considered one of the most brutal techniques and is a signature of the art.

A full 360-degree spinning elbow that generates extraordinary rotational force. The spinner is one of the most spectacular and dangerous techniques in Kun Khmer. When it lands, it frequently produces knockouts due to the massive centrifugal force. However, it is high-risk — a missed spinning elbow leaves you with your back to the opponent. It should only be thrown with proper setup and timing.

An airborne elbow strike where the fighter jumps and drives the elbow down onto the opponent. The flying elbow combines downward force with the fighter's full body weight to create a devastating impact. It is most commonly seen in Kun Khmer stadium fights when a fighter senses a finish. The flying elbow is a high-commitment technique that requires precise distance judgment and timing.

A 45-degree downward diagonal elbow that combines the cutting angle of the horizontal elbow with the gravity-assisted force of the downward chop. This elbow is thrown from a slightly elevated position and crashes down diagonally across the opponent's face or head. It is particularly effective against shorter opponents or when you have height advantage in the clinch.

A devastating simultaneous or rapid-succession two-elbow strike. Both elbows fire at once or in quick alternation to overwhelm the opponent's defense. The double elbow is a signature Kun Khmer technique rarely seen in other striking arts. It can be thrown as dual horizontal elbows, or as a one-two combination with one high and one low, or both rising into the guard. This is a close-range finishing technique.

The fundamental knee strike — driven straight up the center into the opponent's body or head. The straight knee is the most commonly used knee technique in Kun Khmer, especially from the clinch. It is powerful, relatively safe to throw, and can be delivered in rapid succession. Cambodian fighters are renowned for their punishing knee barrages from the plum position, and the straight knee is the primary weapon.

A knee driven at a 45-degree angle into the opponent's side body or head. The diagonal knee attacks the ribs, liver, and spleen from an angle that is difficult to defend. It is thrown by angling the hip outward and driving the knee across the body at a diagonal. This knee is particularly punishing in the clinch when you have a dominant angle on the opponent.

A spectacular airborne knee strike where the fighter leaps and drives the knee into the opponent. The flying knee is one of the most dramatic and fight-ending techniques in Kun Khmer. It generates enormous force by combining the fighter's forward momentum, jumping power, and the full body weight behind the knee. Flying knees have produced some of the most famous knockouts in Cambodian stadium history.

A short-range knee driven directly into the midsection of the opponent. Unlike the straight knee which drives upward, the body knee is more of a thrusting impact designed to wind and weaken the opponent. It is the workhorse knee of the clinch, thrown in volume to break down the opponent's body over the course of a fight. Kun Khmer fighters are known for their relentless body knee attacks.

A lateral knee strike driven sideways into the opponent's thigh, hip, or ribs. The sideways knee uses a lateral hip movement to attack from an unexpected angle. It is often used in the clinch to attack the opponent's legs and hips, breaking their base and making it easier to off-balance and throw them. It can also target the ribs when thrown higher.

The king of Kun Khmer kicks — a sweeping circular kick that generates devastating power through full body rotation. The Cambodian roundhouse differs from many other systems: the shin is the primary striking surface, the supporting foot pivots completely, and the entire body rotates as one unit. This kick can target the legs, body, or head and is the single most used kick in Kun Khmer competition.

The Kun Khmer teep — a thrusting front kick used for distance management, disruption, and offense. The teep is the jab of the legs. It keeps opponents at bay, disrupts their rhythm, and can target the body, face, or thighs. Cambodian fighters use the teep extensively as both a defensive and offensive weapon. A well-timed teep to the solar plexus can wind an opponent, and a teep to the face is deeply demoralizing.

A linear kick thrown from the side of the body, striking with the heel or blade of the foot. The side kick in Kun Khmer is used to attack the opponent's midsection, knee, or ribs from an angle the roundhouse cannot reach. It is a thrusting kick with excellent stopping power and is effective for keeping aggressive opponents at bay. The side kick can also target the knee joint to compromise the opponent's mobility.

A rear-directed kick thrown by looking over the shoulder and thrusting the heel backward into the opponent. The back kick in Kun Khmer is used as a counter-technique when the opponent overcommits or circles behind you. It generates tremendous power because the entire body weight drives through the heel. A well-placed back kick to the solar plexus or liver can end a fight instantly.

A full spinning back kick where the fighter rotates 360 degrees and thrusts the heel into the opponent. This is the spinning version of the back kick, adding rotational momentum to the already powerful thrusting force. The spinning back kick is a spectacular fight-ending technique used in Kun Khmer competition. It requires excellent timing, balance, and the ability to spot the target mid-spin.

An airborne roundhouse kick where the fighter jumps and delivers a full-power roundhouse while in the air. The jumping roundhouse adds height and dramatic impact to the standard roundhouse, allowing fighters to clear the opponent's guard and target the head from an elevated angle. This is a showpiece technique in Kun Khmer competition, often thrown to finish a hurt opponent.

A roundhouse kick targeting the opponent's thigh — the leg kick is a fundamental weapon in Kun Khmer that cripples mobility over the course of a fight. Low kicks accumulate damage to the quadriceps and hamstrings, eventually reducing the opponent's ability to kick, move laterally, and maintain stance. Consistent leg kicking is a hallmark of smart Kun Khmer fighting strategy.

A high-arcing kick where the leg is raised straight up and then chopped down onto the opponent's head, shoulder, or collarbone. The axe kick uses gravity and hip flexibility to generate surprising downward force. In Kun Khmer, it is used as a surprise technique to bypass the opponent's forward-facing guard by attacking from directly above. It requires excellent flexibility and timing.

A low sweeping kick targeting the opponent's supporting leg to knock them off balance or take them down. The sweep is a scoring technique in Kun Khmer that is highly valued by judges — dropping an opponent with a sweep demonstrates superior technique and ring generalship. Sweeps can be thrown to the front or rear leg and are most effective when the opponent's weight is committed to one side.