Three (3) Kickboxing Techniques Using Strikes and Kicks

Kickboxing is a sport that is continuing to grow in popularity across the world. Whether you are new to the sport or have some prior experience, there are a number of kickboxing techniques that can be very effective regardless of your boxing and kickboxing background.

As evident by the name, the difference between kickboxing and boxing is that both hands and feet are used in kickboxing. Kickboxing hand strikes are the same as boxing strikes, but kickboxing kicks will take some practice to perfect. Let’s look at a comprehensive list of kickboxing moves before diving into effective techniques.

Guide To Kickboxing Moves

Kickboxing moves can be broken into three parts: strikes, kicks, and defensive moves. Descriptions of the movements will be covered in the techniques section of this guide. Let’s start with the first (pad training numbers included):

Strikes

• Jab (1)

• Cross (2)

• Lead Hook (3)

• Rear Hook (4)

• Lead Uppercut (5)

• Lead Bodyshot (5B)

• Rear Uppercut (6)

• Rear Bodyshot (6B)

Kicks

• Lead Kick (LK - Side Kick)

• Rear Kick (RK - Roundhouse Kick)

• Hook Kick (FK - Snap Kick)

Defense

• Lead Slip (LS)

• Rear Slip (RS)

• Lead Roll (LR)

• Rear Roll (RR)

• Parry

The best kick techniques in kickboxing combine many of the moves above, however, even simple techniques or moves, such as the kickboxing roundhouse kick, can be devastating for an opponent if landed in a match.

Below are some of the most effective simple kickboxing moves and techniques for any skill level:

Effective Kickboxing Techniques For Any Experience Level

Sometimes, the best techniques are short, simple, and reliable in a match. While flashy movements can be beneficial for training coordination, simple strikes are often easier to practice and pull off in a match. Here are a few examples:

Jab-Cross-Lead Hook-Rear Kick (1-2-3-RK)

• From a fighting stance, rotate your lead arm off your guard and throw a quick jab at head height

• Follow up quickly with a power cross, making sure to pivot your back legs and hips as you throw the punch

• Throw a lead hook and keep your elbow at a 90-degree angle while twisting your body in the direction of the strike

• Shift your weight to your front leg and pivot on your front foot while lifting your rear leg and twisting it forward--as if you were swinging a bat in front of you

• As you twist forward, extend your rear leg until there’s only a slight bend in your knee and make contact with the target using your shin

• Return to a fighting stance

Hook Kick-Jab-Lead Slip-Lead Body (HK-1-LS-5B)

• From a fighting stance, shift your weight to your rear leg and lift your lead leg straight in the air, bending at the knee

• Kick your leg out from the knee and aim at around torso height

• Snap your kick and return to a fighting stance

• Plant your feet and immediately follow up with a jab

• Twist your rear foot, allowing your hips to follow, in the direction of your lead hand just far enough to avoid an oncoming punch

• Throw a lead body strike at rib height (this movement is an uppercut at an angle)

Jab-Jab-Lead Kick-Rear Kick (1-1-LK-RK)

• Start this technique with two quick jabs, back to back, to draw your opponent’s guard up

• Pivot on your back foot so that you are positioned sideways to your target and lift your lead leg

• Kick out sideways at a 90-degree angle while leaning your body in the opposite direction of the kick

• Return your kick to the ground and twist back into a normal fighting stance

• Quickly throw a rear kick by pivoting on your front foot and twisting your rear leg forward towards the target -- again, a technique similar to swinging a bat -- making contact with your shin just short of a full leg extension

Kickboxing techniques can be customized and changed depending on a person’s skill level. Push kicks, spinning hook kicks, crescent kicks, and more are all examples of advanced kick variants. With that said, start slow and perfect a few staple techniques when beginning your kickboxing training.

Once you develop the above techniques, you’ll be on your way to advanced kickboxing training in no time! For more kickboxing and boxing workouts, visit the FightCamp blog or workout library.

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