Kickboxing is an aggressive form of mixed martial arts that combines boxing and lower body offensive and defensive techniques. In order to participate in kickboxing, you need speed, stamina, strength, quickness and hand-eye coordination. In addition to being a competitive sport, kickboxing classes also help those interested raise their conditioning levels. The three most important steps are getting into the proper condition, learning to use your upper body correctly for punching and learning to use your lower body correctly for kicking and movement.
Conditioning
When you get in the ring against a kickboxing opponent, you are facing an individual who will try to knock you out with a series of kicks or punches. While you are also trying to do the same thing to him, you have to be in the best shape possible to preserve your health. Some of the key drills that you will go through to get in fighting shape include running 3-to-5 miles per day (called roadwork in fighting parlance), punching the speed bag, punching the heavy bag, kicking the heavy bag and punching the floor-to-ceiling bag.
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Upper Body Technique
To have a chance to compete in the ring, you need to have skills at attacking and defending the attack with your upper body. You need to know how to punch effectively, defend actively and outthink your opponent inside the ring. In order to throw effective punches, you will need to hit the speed bag and heavy bag. You will also need to shadow box. When you hit the speed bag, you have to be active with your left jab. This stiff punch will also help you set up power punches. The heavy bag is designed to help you throw power punches. All fighters know that they must use their entire body to throw power punches. It's not enough to use your fists, arms and shoulders. Throw the punch starting with force starting in your lower body, traveling up through your core and continuing on through your arms.
Lower Body Technique
You must know how to use your feet to move in and around the ring and also attack your opponent. In kickboxing, you are required to throw a number of kicks each round. The front kick, back kick, crescent kick, roundhouse kick and knee strike can stun or devastate your opponent. These kicks can also set your opponent up for devastating punches that can result in a knockout. Most fighters practice their kicks on the heavy bag and this helps develop power and accuracy in the kicks that are delivered.
Defense
To have a chance to deliver hard punches and kicks, you also must know how to defend. You must be able to get out of the way of hard punches with head and foot movement and you also need to know how to parry upper body blows by parrying a punch or kick. At times you will also have to make an aggressive block of a punch or kick so you can knock your opponent off balance and go on the attack yourself. When you block a punch or kick, you must meet your opponent's force with equal or greater force to take the advantage.
Sparring
No matter how well you have been trained in kickboxing, you have to put yourself to the test by getting in the ring and sparring with an opponent of similar size and experience. While fear is a factor, you will be wearing protective head gear, oversized gloves and protective pads on your feet. You will soon learn your skill level and determine if the sport is for you.
Posted in: Kickboxing