Today I’m going to talk about some Kickboxing Moves and Techniques for beginners. This information will give you an outline of the basic moves and techniques you will be doing when starting kickboxing.
When starting these kickboxing moves and techniques remember to go slow. I say that because I often see beginners rushing the moves, or doing them extremely hard.
When you become more adept you will do these moves effortlessly. Until then take your time to learn the proper form of these techniques.
The quicker you learn the basics, the sooner you can move on to more challenging and advanced techniques.
But there is no rush. Do things at the pace your coach wants you to do them at and you’ll be just fine. You may be a bit nervous on your first day, but remember everyone is the class will be a beginner also.
Take a deep breath and try your best, that’s all that’s required of you.
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When you watch mixed martial arts on tv whether it be UFC, Bellator or One Championship, you will think to yourself “these fighters make it look so easy.”
The reason you have this notion is because you see an effortless performance from both fighters. Although you see a great fight, you didn’t see the years of practice and ring experience it took to get them at that level.
It takes practice, work ethics, eating healthy, and having a strong mentality to compete in kickboxing or any combat sport.
If you are taking kickboxing classes just for exercise or self defense then your training will be adjusted for that.
No matter what reason you have for learning kickboxing in order to get any benefit from it, you have to be committed to going to training, and practicing the moves.
Punching Techniques In Kickboxing
The punches that are taught in kickboxing come directly from boxing. Hence the name kickboxing. Below is a brief description of all punches that are allowed to be thrown in kickboxing.
A Jab – A jab is the most basic punch thrown in kickboxing and it is used fend off your opponent and set up your power punch.
You power punch comes from your strangest hand. If you are right handed it’s your right hand. If you are left handed it is your left had.
In kickboxing you will be placed in the right fighting stance so you can lead with your jab and have your power punch in the rear waiting for an opening.
A Cross – A cross is a punch that follows a jab and is thrown at an angle towards your opponent. A cross is a great angle punch and can do a lot of damage if set up properly and connects.
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Hook – A hook is known as a power punch. As I mentioned before a power punch is thrown with your strongest hand.
It’s a punch that can knock your opponent out if thrown with much force and it connects. This punch is thrown at a 90 degree angle and you have to rotate your hip to get enough force.
Hammer Fist (Hammer Punch) – This type of punch if connected can inflict much damage on your opponent. If involves you using the bottom of your fist to strike your opponent.
You will be using semi-circular and vertical movements when executing this punch.
Uppercut – An uppercut is known as a knockout punch because it hits a vital spot on your opponent, which is his chin. Your chin is an extremely weak part of your body that if hit with enough force can drop you to the ground.
That’s why in boxing they always tell fights to keep their chin low and tuck it behind their lead arm shoulder.
Body Shot – A body shot is any combination of punch to your opponent’s body. It can be a jab to the chest or stomach, a hook to the liver or rib cage.
Any punch to the body is known as a body shot and can inflict much damage if thrown with enough force.
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*Important Note – I’m always asked if knees and elbows are used in kickboxing. The answer is in most kickboxing gyms they will teach you how to use knees and elbows; and that’s okay.
It’s part of learning how to become a well rounded fighter, but keep in mind that you can not use knees and elbows in any kickboxing competition.
Knees and elbows are not allowed and if you use them you will get points deducted from you or even disqualified.
If you would like train in a fighting system that encourages heavy knees and elbows I would suggest you take Muay Thai and not kickboxing.
Kicking Techniques In Kickboxing
In Kickboxing class you’ll learn how to throw a variety of kicks. These kicks are perfectly legal in competition.
Push Kick – A push kick is used to create distance between you and your opponent. You raise your knee and push your foot outwards striking your opponent in the midsection. You can also use the push kick to the face.
The push kick can be used with your standing leg or reverse leg, it all depends on your positioning and the situation.
Snap Kick – Along with the push kick, the snap kick will also be one of the first kicks that you learn how to do in kickboxing. The snap kick is slightly different.
Instead of raising your knee to hip level and pushing your leg outward, you would snap your kick. Sort of like a leg flick.
With a snap kick there’s no need to raise your knee or complete the kick by leaning back a bit like you do a push kick. A snap kick is done in a singular motion. A straight front kick to the body or face.
Side Kick – Is a very effective kick. While standing in your fighting stance you want to raise your knee to hip level and extend your leg sideway out to your opponent.
You can aim for the head, mid-section, or legs. There are a variety of ways that you can do the side kick.
You can do it from your basic fighting stance, you can slide into it, you can hop into it, or transition into it after landing a previous move.
Hook Kick – This is a phenomenal kick to throw. In your fighting stance you want to take your lead foot and rotate your heel slightly inward.
Rotate your supporting heel 108 degrees forward as you chamber your kicking leg, and swing your knee all the way to the other side. Your leg should now be at the side of you.
Finally extend your leg outward and rechamber your leg in a hooking motion. This will complete the hook kick.
Back Kick – This is a kick that pushes back towards your rear. You can use it if you miss attempting to strike your opponent.
For example after you miss a hook kick, you can instantly follow up with a side kick or back kick depending on your position after you missed.
Crescent Kick – In your fighting stance you will step in with your right foot, and then take your left foot and swing it around in a crescent motion.
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Basic Defensive Moves In Kickboxing
Just like you’ll learn basic striking moves in your kickboxing class, you’ll also learn basic defensive moves to prevent you from getting hit.
Well, to be honest it doesn’t matter how much you learn defensive moves, you won’t be able to defend yourself 100%
In a fight you’re going to get it, that’s just what happens in a fight. No one walks from a fight 100% untouched by their opponent.
You will learn defensive moves to lessen the blows and to get hit less. Which is what every fighter wants. To hit and avoid getting hit as much.
Below are some of the basic defensive moves you will learn in your kickboxing training.
Boxing Defensive Moves In Kickboxing
- Slip
- Basic Guard
- Parry
- Shoulder Roll
- Bobbing
- Catching a punch
- Blocks
Kicking Defensive Moves In Kickboxing
- Kick Evades
- Grabbing Kick
- Blocking Kick (with arm or feet)
- Checking A Kick
In conclusion kickboxing is a great system to use for self defense and fitness. When you take your first kickboxing class you will be in there with other beginners, so not to worry.
You’ll do cardio for the first part of class in order to get your heart rate up and pumping, and then you’ll get into the actual lesson.
You’ll start off with basic boxing moves and kicking moves that will have a heavy focus on doing the technique the proper way.
You will also learn how to throw knees and elbows but remember, you won’t be allowed to use them in competition because kickboxing does not allow the use of these body parts.
Overall, just remember to have fun. Don’t be so serious or you won’t enjoy the learning process. Kickboxing is a great martial arts system to learn and you’ll become proficient at it if you train hard enough.