Kickboxing: Stance, Footwork, And Basic Movement: From Initiation To Knockout: Kickboxing: From Initiation To Knockout, #3

By Martina Sprague

Now that you are ready to embark on the kickboxer's long and arduous journey, it should come as no surprise that the first thing you must learn is how to survive by combining offense and defense with balance and the right mental attitude. A good fighting stance allows your feet, torso, arms, and head to work in unison, so that you can throw your techniques with minimum effort and without fear of losing balance. To appreciate a good stance, we must understand the inherently weak areas of the human body. Movement is always used to avoid an attack or position for a counterattack. The fighter who controls footwork typically controls the fight by dictating what, when, and how. Offensive movement comprises distance awareness and jamming and gapping techniques. But controlling footwork extends beyond your own footwork. You must also learn to control your opponent's footwork, to maneuver into a more desirable position, while preventing him from doing the same. Kickboxing: From Initiation To Knockout comprises a series of short books with focus on learning specific techniques and strategies for the exciting sport of competition kickboxing. With plenty of pictures, each book breaks the material down into bite-size pieces that allow you to practice to perfection. The material in this book previously appeared in Complete Kickboxing, now out of print, and is great for straight boxing, too.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Martina Sprague
• Release date: Feb 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386655336

Martina Sprague

Martina Sprague grew up in the Stockholm area of Sweden. She has a Master of Arts degree in Military History from Norwich University in Vermont and has studied a variety of combat arts since 1987. As an independent scholar, she writes primarily on subjects pertaining to military and general history, politics, and instructional books on the martial arts. For more information, please visit her website: www.modernfighter.com.

Book preview

KICKBOXING

Stance, Footwork, And Basic Movement

From Initiation To Knockout

Everything You Need To Know (and more) To Master The Pain Game

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by Martina Sprague

Copyright 2017 Martina Sprague

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any medium or form without the prior written permission of the author.

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Other books of interest by Martina Sprague:

Formidable Fighter: The Complete Series

Fighting Science: The Laws of Physics for Martial Artists

Best Swordsman, Best Sword: Samurai vs. Medieval Knight

Knife Offense: Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists

Knife Defense: Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists

The Power Trip: How to Survive and Thrive in the Dojo

Lessons in the Art of War: Martial Strategies for the Successful Fighter

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Left Fighting Stance

Why Does A Right-Handed Kickboxer Fight From A Left Stance?

Body Mechanics For The Left Fighting Stance

What Is In A Good Stance?

Fighting Stance Practice

How Stance Affects Balance And Stability

Benefits Of The Boxer's Stance

Dangers And Benefits Of The Neutral Stance

Maintaining Stance When Moving

Does It Matter Which Foot You Step With First?

Basic Movement Exercises

What Is In Good Footwork?

Position Of Superiority

Adding Momentums

Strategy When Circling

Offensive Movement And Distance Awareness

More On Three Zones Of Fighting

The Shuffle-Step

Jamming And Gapping

Shadow Boxing

Shadow Boxing Exercises

Relaxation In Shadow Boxing

Footwork Practice In Shadow Boxing

Analysis Of Technique In Shadow Boxing

A List Of Sparring Principles

Guide To Concepts

Appendix

Preview: Best Swordsman, Best Sword: Samurai vs. Medieval Knight

THE LEFT FIGHTING STANCE

Now that you are ready to embark on the kickboxer's long and arduous journey, it should come as no surprise that the first thing you must learn is how to survive by combining offense and defense with the right mental attitude. Balance, both physical and mental, is your most important attribute. If you go into the fight without physical balance, you can't throw your techniques effectively. Likewise, if you enter the ring without mental balance, emotion will quickly overshadow logic, making you easy prey even to the most inexperienced opponent.

Physical balance starts with stance. Standing seems like a simple concept that has been part of your subconscious since you were a year old. But what if I told you that before you can fight, you must learn all over how to stand and walk? Stance when fighting entails more than maintaining balance. For example, standing in a way that exposes targets is incorrect. A good stance, on the other hand, provides a barrier that your opponent's strikes and kicks must penetrate in order to reach you. Your stance also determines your ability to move expeditiously and with ease, and to strike and kick with power.

WHY DOES A RIGHT-HANDED KICKBOXER FIGHT FROM A LEFT STANCE?

Many fighters with a traditional martial arts background have been taught to fight from a stance that places their stronger side forward, normally their right side, since most of us are right-handed. In kickboxing you will place your weaker side forward: your left side if you are right-handed and your right side if you are left-handed. There are several arguments for and against this. For example, placing your stronger side forward allows for greater speed in the strikes and kicks that are closest to your opponent. But since kickboxing relies on power, where your aim is to knock out your opponent (as opposed to point sparring, where speed is your priority), you will stand in a way that gives your stronger punches and kicks enough time and distance to build momentum for power.

If you are right-handed, you should fight from a left fighting stance with your left foot forward and your right foot back. This gives your stronger right hand a longer distance to travel and more time to build momentum. Your left hand, which is closer to your opponent, should be used as a set-up for your more powerful rear techniques. Think of your lead hand as a feeler, a gauge to find the distance to the target.

If you are left-handed, you should fight from a right fighting stance, again placing your stronger side further away from your opponent.