1. Setting Up Your Stance
Your stance is your foundation in kickboxing. A proper stance ensures balance, power, and mobility:
- Position your feet: One foot slightly in front of the other, with your hips and shoulders angled slightly away from your opponent or target.
- Stay balanced: Maintain shoulder-width distance between your feet to avoid feeling like you’re on a tightrope.
- Hands up: Keep your back hand on your cheek with your elbow tucked in, and your front hand slightly ahead, also with a tucked elbow.
- Weight distribution: Stay on the balls of your feet, keeping your knees softly bent for quick movement.
Basic Punches: Jab and Cross
These punches are the bread and butter of kickboxing.
2. Jab:
- Comes from your lead hand (the one matching your forward foot).
- Travel in a straight line from your guard to the target.
- At full extension, rotate your fist so it’s horizontal, then snap it back quickly.
3. Cross:
- Your power punch, thrown with your back hand.
- Start with a pivot of your rear foot and a rotation of your hips.
- Extend your arm straight out like a slingshot, then return to your guard.