Round Kicks and Front Kicks (diary entry)

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semi2.jpg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

26.06.14

This is my client’s second lesson in Muay Thai and Kickboxing for cross-training in the martial arts. We began with some mirror footwork and defensive hand movements, building up to shin-blocks. Next we revised the basic combinations covered in the previous session followed by some analysis of the round kick and how to improve it. We also looked at different target zones for the round kick around the leg and moving towards the mid-section.

I then introduced the front kick or “teep”, and explained its function. My client learnt it like a jab and blended it with an overhand right punch as well as a rear leg round kick. I introduced mid and low target zones for this kick and its basic variations. We examined the strong similarities between the movement of kicks and punches, emphasizing the importance of blending them. The hook and the round kick were compared and trained together to encourage better pivoting on the feet and torqueing with the oblique muscles. This brought us onto looking at the pendulum action or Newton’s Cradle style forward movement used to generate force into a jab or front kick.

We then moved onto some freestyle focus mitt work, including defence and counters. This was followed by shadow boxing including opponent visualization training.