diff --git a/mods/arena/arena-player.lua b/mods/arena/arena-player.lua
index 42ff344b..d8afe043 100644
--- a/mods/arena/arena-player.lua
+++ b/mods/arena/arena-player.lua
@@ -28,6 +28,14 @@ for i = 0, (MAX_PLAYERS - 1) do
     s.rank     = 0
 end
 
+local sKnockbackActions = {
+    ACT_SOFT_FORWARD_GROUND_KB, ACT_FORWARD_GROUND_KB, ACT_HARD_FORWARD_GROUND_KB,
+    ACT_FORWARD_AIR_KB, ACT_FORWARD_AIR_KB, ACT_HARD_FORWARD_AIR_KB,
+    ACT_FORWARD_WATER_KB, ACT_FORWARD_WATER_KB, ACT_FORWARD_WATER_KB,
+    ACT_SOFT_BACKWARD_GROUND_KB, ACT_BACKWARD_GROUND_KB, ACT_HARD_BACKWARD_GROUND_KB,
+    ACT_BACKWARD_AIR_KB, ACT_BACKWARD_AIR_KB, ACT_HARD_BACKWARD_AIR_KB,
+    ACT_BACKWARD_WATER_KB, ACT_BACKWARD_WATER_KB, ACT_BACKWARD_WATER_KB
+}
 ------------
 -- hammer --
 ------------
@@ -361,6 +369,27 @@ function mario_update(m)
     local s  = gPlayerSyncTable[m.playerIndex]
     local np = gNetworkPlayers[m.playerIndex]
 
+    -- increase knockback animations
+    local animInfo = nil
+    if m.marioObj ~= nil then
+        animInfo = m.marioObj.header.gfx.animInfo
+    end
+    for i, value in ipairs(sKnockbackActions) do
+        if m.action == value then
+            local frame = animInfo.animFrame
+            local loopEnd = frame
+            if animInfo.curAnim ~= nil then
+                loopEnd = animInfo.curAnim.loopEnd
+            end
+
+            if frame < loopEnd - 2 then
+                frame = frame + 1
+            end
+
+            animInfo.animFrame = frame
+        end
+    end
+
     -- clear invincibilities
     m.invincTimer = 0
     if m.knockbackTimer > 5 then