With the American rise of mixed martial arts, fans are not only watching the MMA events, but many are actually seeking out gyms so that they can learn to practice the different fighting forms. One form of martial arts that is practiced all around the world is kickboxing. Kickboxing teaches students many self-defense techniques along with a number of other benefits.
History
According to the World of Combat website, the original form of kickboxing is called Muay Thai. The sport began to spread outside of Thailand sometime in the late 1950s. Karate practitioners in Japan desired to have competitions that were full-contact and combined Muay Thai and Karate. By combining the two, the sports of kickboxing was created.
Fists and Elbows
According to "The Kickboxing Handbook," kickboxing uses many of the same techniques as boxing. When learning kickboxing, you learn the proper way to throw effective hooks, uppercuts, crosses and jabs. You will also be taught how to throw punches while countering from a number of different angles and while moving. When in close range to your opponent, elbow strikes will also be used as an alternative to punching. Elbow strikes can vary in effectiveness from stunning your opponent to causing serious damage. It is important to note that not every form of kickboxing allows the use of elbow strikes.
Feet and Knees
Kicking is probably the most obvious form of striking used in kickboxing. "The Kickboxing Handbook" states that students are taught to use front and side kicks to make contact with their opponent. In many competitions, you earn points by kicking your opponent in the legs, chest or other body parts. Kneeing an opponent from close range is effective, although not every style of kickboxing permits it. Some styles teach the students to clinch the opponent in order to land knee strikes to the head or midsection more effectively.
Benefits
Kickboxing training comes with a number of other potential benefits such as cardiovascular strength, which is vital to the sport. The body needs energy to perform the strenuous workouts that involve high amounts of cardiovascular development. According to "The Ultimate Fitness Boxing and Kickboxing Workout," since the training provides your body with greater cardio health, you will reap benefits such as a lowered risk for heart problems and increased amounts of energy. While training, kickboxers also become more flexible. By constantly using your legs for kneeing and kicking, your body develops much improved flexibility, which can lead to the decrease of bone and muscle injury. Stronger muscles also come with kickboxing.
Forms
A great number of fighting styles have roots in the sport of kickboxing. According to The Martial Arts Database website, the French practiced a sport called Savate, which is kickboxing, except it used a pair of specially designed shoes and allowed only foot strikes. The shoes created a greater focus on the kicking aspect. The same techniques are used in both American and Japanese kickboxing; however, the American version uses a different scoring method in competitions in order to encourage action. Shoot boxing is another variation of kickboxing. The Martial Arts Database says this style combines striking from kickboxing with the grabs and throws that are used in wrestling. Deciding which form of kickboxing to practice is a personal choice. Searching and visiting schools in your area will aid in deciding which style you would most enjoy practicing.
References
- World of Combat: History of Kickboxing
- "The Kickboxing Handbook"; John Ritschel; 2008
- "The Ultimate Fitness Boxing and Kickboxing Workout"; Ross O'Donnell; 2005
- The Martial Arts Database: What is Savate?
- The Martial Arts Database: Shoot Boxing
Member Comments