Kick Boxing Techniques
Kicking Techniques
If you want to keep your opponent at bay, you may throw fast jabs or advance with other attacks. Kicking the opponent away is a safe option, you have more reach and the advantage. Here is a list of the basic kicks we use today and their explanations:
Front Kick
Simply lean into the kick and push the leg outwards, directing the ball of the foot to the target. This is a very defensive kick, but it can also be used to harass and cause considerable damage.
Round House
This involves a little more thought than the front kick. A roundhouse is primarily a turning kick, it can be achieved with minimal movement, but the power is compensated. First you guide the knee up and out to the left or right (depending on which leg you strike with). You then twist your hip towards the target and for the most power; you flick the upper shin into the opponent. The roundhouse can be aimed at the head, ribs/kidneys, thy, and the knee if desired.
Side Kick
To achieve this, you must turn and then pull the knee away from the target. The power aspect is achieved when you push into the target and strike with the outer ridge of the foot. You must return to the stance quickly or there would be trouble. This move can be avoided so the speed is important. Sidekicks can be aimed at the head, knack, solar plexus, chest, groin and knee.
Back Kick
I would say this move is a favoured by the show-off types. But if a situation arises when you have to face away from a foe, then the power of this kick can take them out. (Especially in a self-defence situation, when there are two or more against you.) First you face away from the opponent, keeping eye contact, you pull the knee up and push backwards, striking with the ball of the foot. This can be aimed at the head, neck, chest or knees.
Sweep Kick
Or shin kick. Quickly twist the hip, direct the side of the shin into the others shin. Imagine you are kicking a football, but you strike with the shin. This move disturbs balance and can be effective for the longer fights. It also intimidates the opponent if you ground them
Thy/groin strike
This move is much like the roundhouse and shin kick. The twisting of the hip still happens, but this time we are using the hip to drive the shin into the thy. If you turn into this kick, more power can be used. Thy kicks disturb the stance and can immediately disable the opponent.
Hook kick
Use all the methods to achieve a roundhouse kick. But donÂ’t hit, guide your foot past the target and come back with the heel. A lot of flexibility is needed to achieve the headshot, so the groins need to be in good shape. Make sure you return to the guard very fast after contact is made.
Crescent - In
This is a kick that can be used to break a guard down or knock a knife out of some ones hand. Move the left foot out, bring your leg up high and direct the ball of the foot to the target. Crescent-Out is the reverse. Move the left foot to the right then sweep the high foot to the left. The technique is the same for the right leg.
Punching tools
It has to be said that the most speed can be achieved with punching techniques. A fight can be ended with just one blow, from a kick, knee or elbow. If these moves did not end the fight, then you must have used counter attacks. Punches are good tools for counter attacks, a jab the most common move, creates distance and can stun too.
Jab/Straight
All of the power out of this move is from the body and waist. This simple punch can be most effective because of its speed. Once you are facing the target, make sure your guard is tight, aiming with the forearm. Then push from the waist and shoulder, keeping a tight fist. Immediately after, return to your guarding position.
Hook
Perhaps, the most damaging blow in the sport. I tend to favour this move, as it is very powerful and an easier technique to adopt. The strike has two movements. Swing the arm out and around the target. Once you have hit the opponent, immediately resume the guard position.
Upper Cut
This is more of a lifting technique. Power from this punch is exerted from the feet. There are various ways to perform the uppercut, but this is the basic way. First you must crouch down, slightly and as this is done lower the elbow from the guard position. When risisng lift the upperbody with the forearm and contact will be made from the fist. The uppercut/rising punch is useful, because it can slide past the guard and cause reasonable damage.
Palm Fist
A great self-defence move. The palm fist is used in other martial arts to strike various weak points on the human body. Kickboxing uses this technique for rapid and effective strikes. To palm fist simply perform the most basic moves like the jab or hook. Then open the fist, with the fingers extended and the thum tucked in towards the smallest finger. You must strike with the lower edge of your palm.
Back Fist
This is the reverse of the hook and you may see the backfist being used after a hook with the same hand. Swing the elbow infront of you untill it is inline with the target. Afterwards, flick the forearm out so the back of the fist hits. Remember to sway a little with this technique to add more power. And as with all punches, twist with the hip, but not too much.
Close encounters
Close Encounters
The majority of bouts will involve close fighting. So the following tools are mainly adopted:
The majority of bouts will involve close fighting. So the following tools are mainly adopted:
Knee,elbow,upper cut elbow,round house elbow
spin moves are variations of most of the above. You complete the spin and more power. most moves apply.