Kickboxing is typically not considered a traditional martial art like karate, tae kwon do and jiujitsu. The art of kickboxing lies in a kickboxer's ability to blend different fighting styles together. A successful kickboxer is able to perform the kicks and punches that work best for her in different situations in the ring. A kickboxer who has not mastered her art might find herself knocked out on the canvas.
History
If you ask three martial arts historians, you may receive three different opinions on the origin of kickboxing. Muay Thai boxing is often considered to have influenced today's kickboxing. Muay Thai's brutal kicking techniques date back to Thailand in the 1500s. However, the term "kickboxing" was first used by a Japanese boxing promoter in the 1950s to refer to a new combat sport that combined Muay Thai and karate. Modern kickboxing began in the United States in the 1970s when karate tournament fighters sought a new, less restrictive arena to test their skills in.
Belt Ranking
Kickboxers often enter the sport after receiving their black belts in a different fighting style. However, some kickboxing schools offer a curriculum that includes advancement in belts. The belt progression is similar to that of other styles. You begin with a white belt, reach several other colored-belt levels and earn a black belt after years of training. In kickboxing, you are generally graded on your punching, kicking and sparring skills. Your fitness level can also determine your success on your kickboxing tests.
Kicks
If you watch a kickboxing match, you will see many of the kicks used in Muay Thai, karate and tae kwon do executed. For example, the roundhouse kick is a popular technique in kickboxing. You can execute this maneuver by kicking horizontally with the top of your foot. The roundhouse can be delivered to the head or midsection of an opponent. Another popular kick is the spinning back kick. You can perform this technique by quickly spinning and driving the bottom of your foot backward into your opponent.
Punches
Many of the punches used in kickboxing are the same as those strikes used in traditional boxing. For example, the jab can be used to set up your opponent for further, more devastating blows. You can perform a jab by quickly punching out at your opponent's face with your lead hand. A good jab can momentarily disorient your opponent and leave him defenseless against stronger strikes, like the hook or uppercut. The uppercut is a strike that can abruptly end a kickboxing match if it is delivered correctly. You can deliver an uppercut by punching upward at your opponent's chin.
Conditioning
If you are a kickboxer, you need to condition your body to enable it to deliver and withstand punishing blows. Kickboxing workouts typically include pushups, abdominal crunches and weightlifting. You need to strengthen your arms and legs so that your techniques are powerful enough to defeat an opponent, as well as strengthen your abs so that you can absorb blows to your midsection. Kickboxers also spend a lot of time running, skipping rope and hitting a heavy bag so that they can endure a 12-round fight.
Posted in: Kickboxing