The Bob and Weave is a part of the fundamental defensive techniques in Boxing. If you’ve trained in Boxing, you know how to utilize this move to your advantage. However, you won’t see it as often in more versatile martial arts, especially those that teach the Knee Strike. So first, let’s answer the question you’re here because.
The Bob and Weave is used in MMA and Muay Thai, although a Knee Strike is an excellent counter. And still, if you adopt this move into Muay Thai and MMA specifically, you’ll be able to use it while minimizing the risk. For instance, a viable option you have is to Bob and Weave while throwing a High Kick.
What we’ll review in this article are various strategies you can use to use the Bob and Weave, which is one of the fundamental techniques in many martial arts—allowing you to get results if you implement these ways properly.
If you’re a Muay Thai or an MMA fighter, you’ll love incorporating this move into your arsenal because it’ll make you a much better, more versatile fighter. Dodging the opponent’s punch, whether it’s a hook, jab, or cross is a great feeling.
But what’s even better is dodging the hit and countering with either an elbow, kick, or a punch of your own.
So without further introduction, let’s dive into the article!
MMA and Muay Bob and Weave Strategies
This article is going to focus on how to use the Bob and Weave properly in Muay Thai and MMA. This, of course, can also apply to Kickboxing and some of them can be suitable for Boxing as well.
Anyways, I encourage you to try these strategies out and experiment with them. Only through constant learning and experimentation will you be able to find your style and understand what you’re truly capable of.
Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. You want to continue learning and honing your skills, which is how you become world-class at a skill. So let’s dive into the first strategy.
Strategy #1 – Bob and Weave Into a Low Kick
The first strategy is Bobbing and Weaving into a low kick. If you’ve been training in Muay Thai for some time, you know how painful a low kick can be. Let’s now learn how you can set it up properly using this defensive move.
You first want to Bob and Weave, which you do by lowering your head and moving sideways (with your head) in a circular motion. You can do that for both sides and you can also step forward. Stepping forward will be critical for some of the strategies we’ll review.
Once you’ve successfully dodged the opponent’s hit, you can throw a fierce low kick. However, the primary risk you want to have in mind is getting a knee strike to the body or head. To avoid that, you must throw the low kick as soon as you’re done with the Bob and Weave.
Strategy #2 – Bob and Weave Into a Spinning Back Elbow
The second strategy we’ll review is going to include the spinning back elbow, which is one of the more powerful strikes in Muay Thai and MMA. If you don’t know what it is, let’s see how you can execute this strike properly.
The spinning back elbow is more common in Muay Thai and MMA and it’s when you spin so your back faces the opponent and throw a straight elbow so it hits his face. What the spinning motion gives you is more power and momentum, which equals more damage.
So once you Bobbed and Weaved the opponent’s punch, whether it’s a hook, jab, cross, or even uppercut, you want to spin and throw the back elbow and hit his face.
Strategy #3 – Bob and Weave Into a Roundhouse Kick
The third strategy we’ll review is Bobbing and Weaving the opponent’s punch and following through with a Roundhouse Kick. I love this move because your opponent won’t know where the kick came from. You’ll be able to cause much more damage than the average strike, as hitting a Roundhouse Kick to your opponent’s face—is one of the most powerful and excruciating tools you have as a fighter.
Once you Bob and Weave, you want to immediately throw the Roundhouse Kick (to the other side of the Bob and Weave.) Again, your main concern is getting Knee’d to the face. So throw the kick right when you raise your head after the Weave.
Strategy #4 – Bob and Weave Into a Hook/Uppercut/Overhand Punch
The last strategy we’ll review is one that I’ve decided to combine, as what we’ll cover now is some of the basic punches you’ll learn in your Muay Thai class. I absolutely am a fan of this strategy, as it’ll allow you to cause tons of damage and do it safely.
Once you Bob and Weave (let’s say to the left), you can throw a left hook to the opponent’s face or body while making sure to use the momentum from the Bob and Weave. Likewise, you can throw a left uppercut or a right overhand punch.
All these moves are viable and will allow you to hit your opponent swiftly and powerfully. Speed here is key. You must make sure not to Bob and Weave into a Knee Strike or any kick. Therefore, make sure your opponent throws a punch you can Bob and Weave to and only then follow through with a technique of your own.
Remember, if you Bob and Weave to the left, your options are throwing a low kick, spinning back elbow, right Roundhouse Kick, left hook, left uppercut, or a right overhand punch.
Final Words
The world of Muay Thai and MMA is vast. You’ll be able to learn about the different techniques and develop a fighting style that only you possess. When you meet someone in a street fight or ever find yourself in a self-defense situation, you’ll be able to use everything you’ve learned to control the situation and come out victorious.
The Bob and Weave is a technique you want to have in your arsenal. It’ll allow you to avoid the opponent’s hits while inflicting a lot of damage in return. I encourage you to try all the strategies I’ve listed out and see which one you like best. Then, invest a lot of effort into mastering it, making you a more confident and overall better fighter.
If you want to learn similar defensive techniques in Muay Thai and MMA, I wrote an article about Muay Thai’s best defensive moves you must know to call yourself a fighter. So make sure to check it out if you’re interested in honing your defense.
Here are other articles you’d enjoy reading:
How to Catch Kicks in Muay Thai – It’s Actually Simple!
Slip 101 (Muay Thai) – How to Slip and Follow-Up
Check 101 – A Complete Muay Thai Technique Breakdown
Muay Thai Basic Head Movement – Techniques, Drills, and Tips