What
is called Kickboxing today came out of Full Contact Karate competitions in the
sixties. Competitors included such fighters as Bill Wallace, Joe Lewis and Chuck
Norris. Each had different backgrounds in Karate and boxing, as well as other
martial arts. New fighting styles, techniques and strategies developed out of
the need for a comprehensive form of fighting that was effective in the ring. Kickboxing is a Western fighting method practiced worldwide with the Kickboxer using both hands and feet, as in Karate. Because it is a realistic, practical method of fighting, it has grown into a popular sport. Kickboxing is similar to Full Contact Karate, as the goal of Kickboxing is to knock out the opponent. Also in Kickboxing, strikes are delivered full force.
Kickboxing combines elements from Karate and Thai Boxing; both the strategy and techniques from kicking and boxing. It mixes foot techniques from Karate and fist techniques from boxing. There are four different types of combat competitions: Semi-Contact, Light-Contact, Full-Contact and Low-Kick. All these systems are the same worldwide and follow precise rules and regulations.
To minimize the risk of injury during Kickboxing competitions, competitors must wear protection for the feet and head, as well as shin guards, safety gloves, mouth guards, groin guards for men and chest protection for women. Kickboxing competitors use sparring, kicks, punches, kick blocks, shadow boxing, that is learned and applied under professional instruction.
While Kickboxing was first developed as a martial art for tournament fighting, it has more recently become very popular; especially with women, children and all the family, because the Kickboxing workout is excellent for developing body toning and burning fat while also helping students gain confidence in self defence.