Kickboxing Basics

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Kickboxing Basics

The Kickboxing | Cardio Kickboxing | Kickboxing Origins | History of Kickboxing | What is Kickboxing | Kickboxing Basics | Evolution of Kickboxing | Kickboxing Combinations | Kickboxing Rules

  • Never lock out knees and elbows (keep them “soft”).
  • Keep your body in a neutral position–neither arch nor round your back.
  • Always keep your abdominal muscles tight.
  • All kicks should be low kicks.
  • The music should be at about 122 to 128 bpm in order to complete each move with proper form.
  • While doing high impact footwork, keep light on the balls of the feet. Imagine you’re on a glass floor.
  • Make the whole leg act as a shock absorber.

Starting Positions:

Defense Position

  • Elbows at 90 degrees along side the body with arms in front of shoulders, and fists in front of chin.
  • You will be able to feel your chest with your biceps.

Front Fighting Stance

  • Elbows at 90 degrees along side the body with arms in front of shoulders, and fists in front of chin.
  • Feet are shoulder width apart.
  • Lead toe points forward with a slight angle out.
  • Knees are soft.
  • Weight is evenly distributed over both feet.
  • Hands are in a Defensse Position.
  • Abs tight, lean in slightly with no pelvic tilt.

Right and Left Hand Fighting Stance

  • Feet are shoulder width apart.
  • Feet are on a diagonal to eachother.
  • Lead toe points forward.
  • Rear toe points outward.
  • Knees are soft.
  • Weight is evenly distributed over both feet to start.
  • Hands are in a Defense Position.
  • Facing right is called the Orthodox Fighting Stance.
  • Facing left is called the “Southpaw” (left-handed) Fighting Stance.
  • Abs tight, lean in slightly with no pelvic tilt.

Basic Technique:

Forward Jab

  • Punch with first two knuckles, flat part.
  • Elbow tucked in close to body to avoid irritation of the rotator and deltoid muscles.
  • Elbow close to body also adds to power in the punch.
  • Maintain a straight line alignment from hand to shoulder.
  • Maintain balance.
  • Do not artifically raise shoulder, allow on slight rise in shoulder
  • Aim through the target.

Cross Jab

  • Same as Forward jab except cross the centerline of the body
  • Twist hip forward.
  • Maintain knee and toe alignment to prevent knee torquing.
  • Rotate torso into the punch.
  • Push off the ground with the heel of the foot.

Uppercut Punch

  • This is a close-in punch, keep the punch close to front of body.
  • As fist comes up, rotate of the torso into the punch.
  • As the arm comes up, the hip will pivot forward slightly for added power.
  • Align target with the first two knuckles of the fist.
  • The arm returns to the Defense Position.

Shin Block

  • Raise the knee to the chest.
  • Bring the opposite shoulder in slightly similar to a standing crunch.
  • Return leg to starting position.

Knee Strike

  • Raise the knee to the chest.
  • Reach up with both hands and pull target down onto knee.
  • Return leg to starting position.

Duck and Jab (Bob and Weave)

  • This move is for Martial Arts and NOT for Aerobics, use a Tap and Jab instead.
  • This move should only be done in martial arts class.
  • This move will stress the knees by torquing and hyper-flexion over the knee.
  • It is used in fighting only, where joint condition takes second priority to winning.
  • Use a Tap and Jab as a subsitute for Aerobics classes.

Front High Block

  • Elbow is bent almost to 90 degrees.
  • Fist is tight with palm facing outwards.
  • Target should contact arm at a deflected angle not head-on.
  • Forearm should be above head not at head level.

Outside Middle Block

  • Arm at a 90 degree angle, fist tight.
  • Move arm from defense position out towards the side of the body.
  • Do not extend arm any further to avoid irritating the shoulder muscles.
  • Do not rotate forearm to avoid rotator irritation.

Inside Middle Block

  • Arm at a 90 degree angle, fist tight.
  • Move arm from outside position in towards the center of the body.
  • Do not extend arm any further to avoid irritating the shoulder muscles.
  • Rotate forearm slightly so that palm faces inward.

Front Kick from Rear Leg or Front Leg

  • Initiate the Front Kick by bringing the knee up first then extending the lower leg.
  • Point the knee at then kick, don’t snap or hyper-extend the knee.
  • Bring the leg down to original position with control and maintain balance.
  • Again, snapping and hyper-extension is for fighting and winning NOT aerobics class.
  • Contact target with the ball of the foot.

Push Kick from Rear Leg or Front Leg

  • Initiate the Front Kick by bringing the knee up first then extending the lower leg.
  • Point the knee at the target then kick, don’t snap or hyper-extend the knee.
  • Bring the leg down to a more forward position with control and maintain balance.
  • Again, snapping and hyper-extension is for fighting and winning NOT aerobics class.
  • Contact target with the heel of the flexed foot using a pushing motion.

Roundhouse Kick

  • This move is for Martial Arts and NOT for Aerobics, use a turning kick instead.
  • Side Fighting Stance, Defense position, one foot forward.
  • Transfer weight to the lead foot.
  • Come up on ball of lead foot to avoid torquing knee.
  • At the same time begin rotating torso towards lead foot and bring rear leg come forward knee first.
  • Point knee at target and begin extension of the knee.
  • At the same time rotate on the ball of the lead foot continuing to extend other knee.
  • Contact target with top of foot.
  • Care MUST be taken not to torque lead knee when bringing body around.
  • Bring leg down so that body is now facing opposite of starting position.

Turning Kick

  • This move is simliar to the front kick except for a slight turn into the kick.
  • Side Fighting Stance, Defense position, one foot forward.
  • Transfer weight to the ball of rear foot.
  • Raise knee towards target and begin extension of the knee.
  • Contact target with top of foot.
  • Care MUST be taken not to torque rear knee when contacting target.
  • Bring leg down to starting position.

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