polvopotku

Polvopotku, literally knee kick in Finnish, is a striking technique in stand-up fighting where the attacker drives the knee forward to strike a target. It is used in various martial arts and self-defense systems, including Muay Thai-inspired sport styles and mixed martial arts, and is commonly taught in Finnish combat sports as a basic knee strike. The move is performed from close range, often from the clinch or after closing distance, but can also be delivered as a forward knee when an opponent is at mid- to close range. The power comes from hip rotation and leg extension, with the shin or knee delivering impact to the target, typically the torso, ribs, thigh, or sometimes the head.

Variants include the straight knee (direct thrust forward), the side or diagonal knee (angled strike from the inside of the stance), and the jumping or flying knee (a kinetic leap aimed at the head or chest). Control and balance are important, as improper alignment can injure the knee joints or leave the fighter off balance. In training, practitioners work on core stability, hip drive, and timing, usually with pads, a shield, or sparring partners, and emphasize safe contact to minimize injury.

The term reflects the Finnish martial arts lexicon, but the technique itself is widely used internationally in many disciplines. See also knee strike, clinch fighting, and close-range combat.