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Sport
Karate and Kickboxing Skills Part 1 |
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This
article will look at the basic stance and jab,
as used in the modern sport of Kickboxing. However,
it is beneficial to consider the development
of Kickboxing briefly, prior to commenting on
its basic principals. Kickboxing as we understand
it today, was pioneered in the early 1960s.
Many of the early bouts, were known as Full
Contact Karate, to avoid legal implications.
In the 70's, points fighting and sport Karate
was starting to peak, whereby many of the techniques
used in todays competition were developed and
refined.
Kickboxing today, is a highly skilled
contest between trained athletes. The modern
form of the sport, has various rules and formats,
namely:
"Light Continuous, Full Contact,
Points and more recently Kick Jitsu"
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| Basics
of Kickboxing |
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| There
are 2 basic forms of Kickboxing, Light Contact
and Full contact. Light contact is typically in
the style of points fighting or light continuous
kickboxing. This article will consider mainly
the light continuous format of Kickboxing. To
summarise, this is where Kicks are allowed only
above waist height and striking contact is restricted
in power but continuous in nature. |
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| Target
Areas |
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To
score in a kickboxing match, whether its in a
points or continuous bout. The punches and kicks
must strike the target area and impact appropriately
(light contact) with the correct part of the glove
or foot pad as denoted in the competitions rules.
Likewise, the target areas for scoring can vary
between competitions. However, these are typically
the front and sides of the head and the body above
the belt.
Similarly, the type of strike allowed, will vary
under the rules of the different associations
you are fighting within. The WKA
have previously noted that the following rules
are legal and illegal strikes for Semi-Contact
Techniques.
Please note that any such rules described on this
website are not to be taken as current and that
the reader should obtain a set of rules direct
from the respective organisation.
Permitted
Techniques |
Illegal
Techniques |
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Jab
and reverse punch |
Inside
hand |
Backfist |
Spinning
backfist |
Ridge
hand |
Knife
hand |
Front
kick |
Elbow
strike |
Side
kick |
Throws |
Spinning
back kick |
Pushing
with arms |
Roundhouse
kick |
Low
kick |
Hook
kick |
Knee
butts |
Crescent
kick |
Head
butts |
Axe
kick |
Using
thighs |
Sweep |
Spinning
sweep |
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rules can seem a bit daunting at first, but they
are there for safety. An exciting Kickboxing match,
has two competitiors who can quickly flow with
blocks and strikes within the rules of the contest.
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| Basics
of Kickboxing |
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good kickboxer, must be able to move quickly as
well as hit accurately. It is vital to keep out
of the reach of an opponents strike. Kickboxers
have various strengths and weaknesses, such as
a tall kickboxer will have a long reach, but he
may have a larger scoring area as his body may
be very long. Kickboxers soon develop tactics
for handling all types of opponents. A good kickboxer
will have learned how to use his own strengths
and weaknesses to exploit his opponents weaknesses.
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| Stances... |
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"Stances
are the position from which all attacking and
defensive moves begin. It combines balance,
defence and readiness. A good basic stance is
essential." (Boxing Skills 1997) |
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basic front stance
is similar to a boxers foot position and is used
for mobility. The feet are approximately shoulder
width in distance forward and back. The lead foot
should be turned slightly inwards. The rear foot
is placed parallel to the front foot. The knees
are bent and weight is evenly distributed to both
legs in a balanced stance. Some experienced fighters,
prefer to have the heel on the rear leg raised,
to allow quick movement. |
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| Bring
your fists up to shoulder height
and relax your elbows so that they rest
at the side of your ribs. Rest the rear fist,
across your chest on the same side. Place the
lead fist in front of the same side chest, about
two fists width distance from your body (far enough
out to attack with a quick jab, but close enough
to be drawn in for defence). Point your fists
at the opponent. |
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"Head
and chin must be kept slightly down, with eyes
fixed on the opponent."
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| Different
styles of martial arts have different types
of fighting stance. Notably, Wing Chun, has
a very high narrow fighting stance. The stance
which the author uses, is similar to Tate Seishan
Dachi in Karate (a variation on the fundamental
Kickbboxing stance which is mentioned above). |
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Wing
Chun Kung Fu |
Tate
Seishan Dachi |
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However, as you gain experience, you will adopt
your own style of standing. Likewise, the way
you shift between stances will develop. Such adaptations
on stances are often used to create illusions
of increased distance between you and your opponent
or to allow for quick changes in tempo when fighting. |
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| Fighting
Techniques... |
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A
fundamental tool of boxing and all styles of kickboxing
is the jab. Knowing how to jab and when to use
takes skill and timing. The jab is an offensive
and defensive weapon. It can be used to:
set up a combination,
spoil your opponents attack.
keep your opponent at a distance
The jab can be a powerful punch if the whole body
is behind it. Likewise, it can be the key to setting
up a powerful combination. |
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| From
the basic stance, straighten your left arm and
turn your hips and shoulders into the strike.
Your fist should twist, so the palm is facing
down when the arm is extended.Your hand should
be completely clenched just before impact. Upon
impact, immediately relax and pull it back to
the guard position, recover to your starting position
as quickly as possible. The faster you return,
the quicker you are able to defend, if your opponent
trys to counter. Likewise, your coach can explain
how to generate impact through this mechanism. |
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"Think
of a cobra ready to strike, it darts in and
out returning to its chambered position (defensive
posture) ready to strike again." |
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| Jab
Tips: |
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Changing
the angles of the jab, this will frustrate a counterpuncher
by not giving him a target.
Practise a few rounds with only the jab. Snap
it out in single, double and triple jabs. Mix
in feints and timing. Move in both directions
and jab to the body and head areas. This will
hepl to develop speed, stamina and coordination.
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