Become Fighter
Blocking body and head kicks: Kickboxing guide
Cover with the arm and glove, absorb with the legs, and give nothing away.
Not every kick can be checked or avoided. A body kick that is already travelling must be blocked, and the way you do it decides whether you stay in the fight. A loose block hurts. A tight one lets the kick land on bone and muscle you have prepared.
The principle is simple: bring the elbow and forearm down to meet the kick, keep your chin tucked and rotate slightly into it so the shin lands on the outside of your arm and ribs, not the soft front.
Key points
- For a body kick, tuck the elbow to the ribs and cover with the forearm and glove on the same side.
- Turn the torso a little toward the kick so it lands on the arm and the side of the ribs.
- Exhale as the kick lands. Holding your breath makes it hurt more.
- For a high kick, raise the glove and forearm over the head and lean away from the kick.
- Look at the kick. Closing your eyes makes you late and tense.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Leaning into the kick with a flat chest. Rotate a quarter turn so the shin hits the arm and side, not the front of the ribs.
- Reaching out with the hand. Keep the elbow tight. Reaching leaves the ribs open and opens you to a catch.
- Holding your breath. Exhale sharply as the kick lands. A full lung takes the impact badly.
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 Defending kicks module of Kickboxing foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Defending kicks
- The shin block for low kicks: Kickboxing guide
- Catching a kick: Kickboxing guide
- Stepping off the line and countering: 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.