Become Fighter
How to follow kicks with punches
Land a kick, then step in behind it with punches while the opponent is busy.
Kicks do more than score. A teep or a low kick makes the opponent react, and that reaction is your chance to hit with the hands.
Think of the kick as a door opener. A teep to the stomach drops the guard. A low kick to the thigh pulls the eyes down. Then the hands go in.
Key points
- Land the kick, put the foot down forward if you can, and step into range.
- Throw the punches straight away. The window is short.
- Keep your hands up while you kick so you can punch without wasting time.
- Vary the target. A low kick then a cross to the head. A teep then a jab.
- Do not overcommit. After the punches, step off or reset.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Putting the kicking leg down too slowly. Land the foot quickly, and keep your balance. The punch needs a base.
- Winding up the punch after a kick. Keep it short and straight. The kick is the big move, the punch is the follow-up.
- Staying in front. After the combination, step off or move back. Do not trade.
- Always kicking the same target. Mix levels. Predictable kicks get checked or countered.
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.