American Kickboxing has carved out its own niche in the martial arts world, blending the punching techniques of boxing with the dynamic kicks of karate. This hybrid fighting style, which emerged in the 1970s, has become a popular choice for both competitive fighters and fitness enthusiasts.
Today, we’ll explore the key techniques and training methods that make American Kickboxing a formidable martial art and an excellent workout.
The Foundation: Stance and Footwork
The cornerstone of American Kickboxing is a solid stance and efficient footwork. Unlike the wide stance of Muay Thai, American Kickboxing adopts a more upright, narrower stance similar to boxing. This allows for quicker movement and faster combinations.
Key points for the basic stance:
- Feet shoulder-width apart
- Weight evenly distributed
- Knees slightly bent
- Hands up, protecting the face
- Elbows tucked to protect the body
Footwork drills are essential in training, focusing on:
- Lateral movement
- Pivoting
- Quick direction changes
- Maintaining balance while moving
Punching Techniques
Drawing heavily from boxing, American Kickboxing emphasizes clean, powerful punches. The main punches include:
- Jab: A quick, straight punch with the lead hand
- Cross: A powerful straight punch with the rear hand
- Hook: A circular punch, usually with the lead hand
- Uppercut: An upward punch, great for close-range fighting
Training methods for punching include:
- Heavy bag work for power development
- Speed bag for timing and hand-eye coordination
- Focus mitts for accuracy and combination work
- Shadow boxing for technique refinement
Kicking Techniques
What sets American Kickboxing apart from boxing is the inclusion of kicks. The main kicks in the American style are:
- Front Kick: A straight kick to the body or face
- Round Kick: A circular kick, typically targeting the legs, body, or head
- Side Kick: A powerful kick delivered with the heel, great for creating distance
- Back Kick: A surprise technique, excellent for counterattacking
Kicking drills often involve:
- Kicking shields for power development
- Paddle work for speed and accuracy
- Flexibility training to increase kicking range
- Balance exercises to improve stability during kicks
Combining Punches and Kicks
The true art of American Kickboxing lies in seamlessly blending punches and kicks into fluid combinations. This creates a dynamic, unpredictable fighting style that can keep opponents guessing.
Common combinations include:
- Jab-Cross-Low Kick
- Hook-Cross-Round Kick
- Jab-Front Kick-Cross
- Low Kick-Hook-Cross
Defensive Techniques
While offense is a key focus, American Kickboxing also emphasizes solid defensive skills:
- Blocking: Using arms and legs to deflect strikes
- Slipping: Slight head movements to avoid punches
- Parrying: Redirecting incoming strikes
- Checking: Lifting the leg to block low kicks
Training Methods
A well-rounded American Kickboxing training regimen typically includes:
- Technique Drills: Repetitive practice of individual techniques
- Combination Work: Stringing techniques together on pads or bags
- Sparring: Light to full-contact practice fighting
- Conditioning: Cardio and strength training to support fighting skills
- Flexibility Training: To improve kicking range and prevent injuries
Modern Applications
Here in Austin, American Kickboxing has gained popularity not just as a competitive sport, but also as an excellent fitness routine. Many of our members at Fighting Fit Kickboxing & Jiu Jitsu find Kickboxing (in all its forms) to be an engaging way to stay in shape, relieve stress, and build confidence.
For those interested in competition, American Kickboxing skills translate well to other combat sports. The hand techniques are valuable in boxing matches, while the overall skill set is highly applicable in MMA competitions.
Conclusion
American Kickboxing offers a dynamic blend of punching and kicking techniques, making it both an effective martial art and an exciting workout. Whether you’re looking to compete or just want to add some variety to your fitness routine, the techniques and training methods of American Kickboxing can provide an engaging and challenging experience.
Ready to try your hand (and feet) at Kickboxing? Join us at Fighting Fit Kickboxing & Jiu Jitsu in Austin, where we offer classes that combine Kickboxing from all styles, taught in a way that’s suitable for all levels.
Remember, every journey in martial arts starts with a single step – or in this case, a punch and a kick!
