Kickboxing

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Kickboxing is a dynamic and effective martial art, evolving from the 'contact' side of many different martial arts. Essentially it is boxing with karate type kicks.

Officially it began in the USA during the 1970's when American karate practitioners became frustrated with strict controls on martial arts competitions which did not allow full contact kicks and punches. As time progressed safety rules were improved and protective clothing was added. As this is a relatively new sport there are no long-term traditions. The sport has undergone changes and been refined during the last two decades.

In most kickboxing schools, kicks, punches, blocks, knees, throws, and shadow boxing are learned and applied under professional instruction. The students' skills are perfected by sparring with other students - in order to learn how to judge distances, timing and contact.

Kickboxing is a formidable form of self-defence. It is easy to learn and very practical. Kickboxing is for students interested in learning "real" kickboxing and enables students to learn and develop practical fighting skills.

History

During the early seventies, the American martial arts world was shaken to its foundations by the demands made on it by a fresh young new generation of practitioners. Fighters started looking for a competitive format in which they could use their skills to the full effect, full power punches and kicks in bouts fought to the knockout. The development of specialised protective equipment speeded up the evolution of this new sport, which became known as kickboxing.
Between 1970 and 1973 a handful of kickboxing promotions were staged across the USA. In the early days the rules were never clear, one of the first tournaments had no weight divisions and all the competitors fought off until one was left. A very young Benny Urquidez reached the final. Weighing in at 10 stones Urquidez faced the 14 stones Dana Goodson. Urquidez won the tournament by pinning Goodson to the floor for more than 10 seconds, which was part of the rules.

How to Compete

Unless you compete to win, do not compete. You should never even think: "I am competing for the experience, but I know I am not going to win." Whatever the odds, always compete to win, paying the fullest attention to the business at hand. Completely concentrate on your bout, ignoring everything and everybody else except the referee when he intervenes. To win, you must either find or create an opening. You can do so by initiating an attack or by inducing your opponent to attack in a direction in which your predetermined tactics will turn his attack to your advantage. The following tactical schemes will help you:

I. The X Attack a low target and use your opponent's reaction to attack in a diametrically opposed high target. Example: A low direct kick with the right followed by a left circular punch to the head.

II. The Triangle Attack right-left low then right high, or vice versa. Example: Right low direct, left low direct, right high direct kicks, respectively directed to the left shinbone, the right shinbone and to the inner thigh.

III. The Criss-Cross Attack right low-left medium-right high. Example: Right low direct kick to the shin; left side of foot to the inner thigh; right circular kick to the midriff.

IV. The Enticement Drop your guard to the mid-section, uncovering the face. As opponent throws a punch to the face, counter with an instep kick to the inner thigh.
Naturally, these are only examples among a great number of possibilities. Remember, nothing will replace free sparring.

Rules

The rules vary between different styles of kickboxing. There are mainly three styles: Japanese, American and European.
Japanese kickboxing has rules similar to Thai boxing (Muay Thai), where attacks with elbow or knee are allowed. All boxing punches, spinning back fist and kicks are allowed to the head, body, and legs inside and outside with the exception of attacks to the knee joint. There is no minimum limit of kicks per 2 minutes round.

In American-style, all boxing punches, spinning back fist and all kicks are allowed only above the belt. There should be minimum 8 kicks per round, otherwise a fighter looses one point. Bouts are usually 3 to 12 rounds (lasting 2 - 3 minutes each) for amateur and professional contests.

European style has following rules: attack with elbow is not allowed; attacks with knee, to kick the lower half of the body except crotch and neck-wrestling (although with limited frequency) are allowed.
There are up to 5 rounds of 3 minutes each.

During competitions, several forms of the sport are to be distinguished: full contact, kickboxing low kick, Thai-kickboxing, kickboxing light contact, kickboxing semi contact, kickboxing freestyle forms and aero kickboxing.