Different Types of Kicks in Professional Boxing

In traditional professional boxing, the focus is primarily on punches: jabs, crosses, hooks, and uppercuts. However, when boxing is blended with other striking arts like kickboxing or Muay Thai, kicks become a part of the offensive arsenal. Though professional boxing itself doesn’t officially incorporate kicks in the traditional sense, fighters often cross-train in other disciplines that utilize kicks for enhanced striking ability.

Here, we’ll explore different types of kicks that are commonly used in boxing training, as well as in kickboxing and other stand-up striking arts. Understanding these kicks can help broaden a boxer’s skill set and increase their versatility in combat sports.

1. Roundhouse Kick (Mawashi Geri)

The roundhouse kick is one of the most common and powerful kicks used in striking sports. Although not traditionally a boxing move, many boxers incorporate it into their training when cross-training in kickboxing or Muay Thai.

1. Execution: The roundhouse kick is delivered by rotating the hip and striking with the shin or the instep (top of the foot). The kick typically targets the opponent’s head, ribs, or legs.
2. Purpose: It’s used to deliver a high-powered strike from the side, catching the opponent off-guard. The roundhouse kick can be aimed at either the head for a knockout or at the body or legs to weaken the opponent’s stance.
3. Why It’s Effective: It allows for speed and power, especially when used in combination with punches, making it hard for an opponent to anticipate.

2. Front Kick (Push Kick or Teep)

The front kick (also known as a push kick or teep in Muay Thai) is another versatile kick that is commonly used in kickboxing and Muay Thai and sometimes seen in boxing training.

1. Execution: The front kick is executed by lifting the knee and extending the foot forward, striking with the ball of the foot. It is delivered in a linear motion.
2. Purpose: It’s often used to push an opponent away, create space, or disrupt their rhythm. The front kick can also be targeted to the midsection or face for defensive purposes.
3. Why It’s Effective: It’s a quick, straight-line kick that can serve as both an offensive and defensive tool. It’s particularly useful for disrupting an opponent's charge or closing distance.

3. Low Kick (Leg Kick)

The low kick, often used in kickboxing and Muay Thai, targets the opponent’s thighs (usually the outside of the thigh or the quadriceps).

1. Execution: The low kick is delivered by swinging the leg from the outside and making contact with the opponent's upper leg. The shin is used to strike, with the goal of landing near the hip joint or thigh.
2. Purpose: This kick is designed to damage the opponent's leg and disrupt their movement. Repeated low kicks can reduce the opponent’s mobility, leading to them being less able to move freely or counter your punches.
3. Why It’s Effective: It’s an excellent way to neutralize an opponent's movement, especially if they are relying heavily on footwork or quick lateral movement. The low kick is also great for weakening an opponent’s base, which can make them more vulnerable to other attacks.

4. Side Kick

The side kick is an angular kick that targets an opponent’s midsection or ribs. It’s commonly used in karate, taekwondo, and kickboxing and can be adapted into boxing cross-training.

1. Execution: The side kick is executed by turning the body sideways, lifting the knee, and then thrusting the foot straight out, making contact with the edge of the heel or the ball of the foot.
2. Purpose: It’s used to generate a significant amount of force and to maintain distance. It can be a great way to push an opponent off balance or stop their forward movement.
3. Why It’s Effective: The side kick allows a fighter to control the distance between them and their opponent. It also strikes with a large surface area (the heel or the side of the foot), delivering solid impact to the opponent’s torso.

5. Back Kick

The back kick is a powerful, spinning kick commonly used in martial arts like taekwondo, kickboxing, and even Muay Thai.

1. Execution: The back kick is executed by turning away from the opponent and then thrusting the heel backward towards them. It’s a “blind” kick, meaning the fighter does not directly face the target during the strike.
2. Purpose: The back kick is often used as a counterattack, especially when the opponent is coming forward or trying to press the fighter into a corner.
3. Why It’s Effective: The back kick can generate a lot of power, as the fighter uses their body rotation to add force to the strike. It is also difficult to block because of the unexpected angle of the attack.

6. Spinning Back Kick

The spinning back kick takes the basic back kick and adds a spin to the movement, increasing the force and making it even harder to avoid.

1. Execution: The spinning back kick involves rotating the body 360 degrees and then delivering a rear kick as the body turns. The kick strikes with the heel or the foot’s edge.
2. Purpose: The spinning back kick is designed to surprise the opponent, catching them off-guard with its speed and rotational power.
3. Why It’s Effective: The kick can be devastatingly powerful and difficult to see coming, making it an excellent tool for creating sudden openings or disrupting an opponent’s attack.

7. Knee Strike

The knee strike is another technique often found in Muay Thai and kickboxing, and while not a traditional boxing strike, it’s a valuable addition for boxers who cross-train in other arts.

1. Execution: The knee strike involves raising the knee quickly toward the opponent’s body, usually the midsection, chest, or face.
2. Purpose: It’s used at close range, particularly when an opponent is clinched or in a standing grapple. It’s great for breaking an opponent’s posture and inflicting damage at short distances.
3. Why It’s Effective: The knee strike can be incredibly effective at close quarters when combined with punches and elbow strikes. It’s a powerful strike that can cause significant damage in a short amount of time.

8. Axe Kick

The axe kick is a dramatic kick commonly used in taekwondo and kickboxing, and can be useful in situations where a fighter needs to strike from a higher angle.

1. Execution: The axe kick involves lifting the leg high and then bringing it down in a sharp arc, like the swing of an axe, targeting the opponent's head, shoulder, or chest.
2. Purpose: The axe kick can be used to strike an opponent who is guarding their head or to target the face and neck when the opponent is not expecting the overhead attack.
3. Why It’s Effective: It delivers a powerful, downward strike with the heel or ball of the foot, which can cause significant damage to an opponent's head or body.

Conclusion

While professional boxing primarily focuses on punches, many boxers cross-train in kickboxing, Muay Thai, and other martial arts that incorporate kicks into their arsenal. The kicks mentioned above—such as the roundhouse, front kick, low kick, and knee strike—are all powerful tools that can enhance a fighter’s ability to attack from different angles, control distance, and defend against an opponent. By incorporating some of these kicks into your training, you can become a more well-rounded and dangerous fighter, whether you're in the boxing ring or facing an opponent in a mixed martial arts (MMA) setting.

As always, make sure to practice proper technique and ensure you're training in a safe and controlled environment under the guidance of experienced instructors.