Khao Tat
เข่าตัด
Literally: cutting knee
Khao Tat is a horizontal Muay Thai knee strike thrown parallel to the ground, used to attack and as a defensive shield against an opponent closing in.
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Khao Tat (เข่าตัด), literally the chopping or horizontal knee, is a Muay Thai knee strike whose path runs parallel to the ground. The motion is driven by the hip with a straight forward pull, and it requires considerable hip mobility. The strike targets the midsection. It ranks among the six traditionally named knee strikes (khao). Unlike Khao Trong, where the knee drives straight forward, Khao Tat drives the knee horizontally; it differs from the oblique Khao Chiang precisely by this horizontal path. It is applied in close-range fighting, to interrupt the opponent's approach, and in the clinch. Its dual role stands out. Besides attack, it also serves as a shield that blocks strikes, creates distance and keeps the opponent away. One source writes that it lets an attack turn into defense instantly. We have not been able to document who included this strike among the knee strikes and since when it has been known by this name.