Become Fighter
How to combine punches into kicks
Use the jab and cross to cover your entry, then finish with a kick.
A kick on its own is easy to see. A kick behind a punch is much harder to stop. The punch draws the eyes and the guard up, and the kick arrives underneath.
The classic pairings are simple. Jab then teep. Jab, cross, low kick. Jab, cross, body kick. They look basic and they work at every level.
Key points
- Warm up the hips, then shadowbox before you kick.
- Throw the punches straight and snappy. They set the kick up, so do not overcommit.
- Use the cross to turn the rear hip, then kick with that same hip momentum.
- Aim the kick where the guard is not: low after a high punch, body after a low feint.
- Reset to stance after the kick. Do not keep chasing.
- Quality first. One clean combination beats five messy ones.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Running through the punches without balance. Slow down. Land each punch balanced so the kick has a stable base.
- Stopping after the punches. Decide the kick before you start and let it follow. A pause lets the opponent counter.
- Kicking from too close. After the cross, small step off to the side or back to give the shin room.
- Dropping the hands during the kick. Both hands up. Think of the kick as a part of a boxing combination.
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 and combining module of Kickboxing foundations.
Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play.
More from Defending and combining
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.