Become Fighter
Changing levels with kicks: Kickboxing guide
Chain low, body and head kicks so the opponent cannot guard one target.
A guard can protect one level at a time. Hit the legs and the hands go down. Hit the head and the legs are open. Moving between levels forces the opponent to choose, and they will choose wrong at some point.
Pace matters. Low kicks wear down the legs over the round, the body kick takes the breath, and the head kick finishes a tired guard. You do not need all three in one combination to use the idea.
Key points
- Start low to bring the guard down, finish high where it left the target.
- Use the same kicking leg with a recovery between, or switch legs for speed.
- Throw the high kick only after a body or low kick has dropped the hands.
- Keep your hands up between kicks. Each kick leaves you on one leg.
- Vary the order. Low, body, high is the obvious one. Body, low, high is harder to read.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Throwing the head kick first. It is the hardest to land cold. Earn it with a lower kick first.
- Dropping the guard between kicks. Hands up whenever your foot is on the floor.
- Same order every time. Mix the sequence so the opponent cannot predict the third kick.
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Kick and punch combinations module of Kickboxing foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Kick and punch combinations
- Hooks into kicks: Kickboxing guide
- Landing the kick and punching through: Kickboxing guide
- Broken rhythm and doubling up: Kickboxing guide
Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.