If you are starting out in youth kickboxing you will first be introduced to the basic techniques, including the correct postures and stances and how to kick and punch. You’ll need to repeat these techniques as drills during each class. Also, you will be required to strength train and practice your techniques using kick pads and mitts. Once you have mastered the first level of kick boxing, you will be taught more advanced techniques including holds, grappling and sparring techniques. You will also practice controlled sparring with your classmates. Students have to aim for power, speed and perfecting their moves. There are no belt levels in Youth kickboxing. The roundhouse kick is probably the most used method. You can kick your opponent’s head, body or legs.
Unlike many other martial arts, in kickboxing you are allowed to strike below the belt, at your opponent’s legs. The most disabling kick is the low kick, which is aimed at the thigh, calf or back of the knee. A body kick should be used when your opponent is not guarding his or her chest. Head kicks leave you in a vulnerable unstable position because your lower body is open to your opponent. However, if properly executed, these are powerful kicks. The thrust kick is used in both attack and defense situations. Rather than kicking your opponent, you basically push him or her backwards with your foot. This can cause your opponent to lose balance. Although you can target the body and face with a punch, most kick boxers punch the face, favoring other modes of attack to the body, like the knee.
As with boxing, punching techniques include jabs, hooks (from the side) and upper cuts (from below). Students are taught to relax their fists and clench them tightly only when executing a punch. Elbow and Knee Moves The use of the elbow and knee in youth kickboxing makes this sport stand out from many of the other martial arts. You can use your elbow to attack, as a cut or hook, targeting the opponent’s chin or nose. The knee thrust attack targets the body. It is a very powerful and effective strike when opponents are close together. Students are taught to hold their foot pointing upwards when they execute a knee attack so that they can readily turn the move into a thrust kick. Both knee and body kicks score highly in competition fighting.
One of the best defense techniques is to keep your elbows well tucked in to stop your opponent from landing a kick to your mid-section. If your opponent aims a kick to your body, use the arm at whichever side the kick is aimed at to deflect the kick. To avoid a head kick, move in closer to your opponent. In that way, the kick will not land on its target as you will be too close. The leg check is used to block lower kicks. To do a leg check, lift your front leg with the knee bent so that you can check the kick with your shin as it lands.
With youth MMA, there is the added element of grappling and wrestling but is usually limited to round specific activity.
