Kickboxing Combo Punch and Kick Drills

A couch pillow or pad to use as a target

Comfortable athletic clothing

Open floor space

Stand in your fighting stance: feet shoulder-width apart, one foot forward and one back (like standing on a railroad track). Hands up near your chin, elbows in. This is the base position for everything.

The Jab: from stance, extend your lead hand (front hand) straight forward and snap it back. It's a quick, straight punch. Practice 20 jabs.

The Cross: rotate your rear hip forward and extend your rear hand (back hand) straight ahead with power. The hip rotation generates the force. Practice 20 crosses.

The Hook: from stance, pivot on your lead foot and swing your lead arm in a horizontal arc, elbow bent at 90 degrees. It comes from the side. Practice 20 hooks.

The Front Kick: from stance, raise your rear knee to waist height, then push your foot forward, hitting with the ball of your foot. Pull it back fast. Practice 20 kicks.

Now combine: Jab-Cross (1-2). Throw a quick jab followed immediately by a powerful cross. Practice 20 combos.

Build up: Jab-Cross-Hook (1-2-3). Then Jab-Cross-Hook-Front Kick (1-2-3-kick). Each combo is faster and more complex.

Hold the pillow as a target for your child. They throw combos at the pillow at full speed and power. Call out combos: "One-two!" "One-two-three!" "One-two-kick!"

Kickboxing is one of the best full-body workouts. It combines cardio, strength, coordination, and balance in every combination.

Technique matters. A properly executed jab is more effective than a wild haymaker. Focus on form before power.

The hip rotation in the cross and hook is where the power comes from, not the arm. Coach your child to turn their hips into every punch.

Use numbers for speed. Calling out "1-2-3" is faster than "jab-cross-hook" during drills. Assign: 1=jab, 2=cross, 3=hook, 4=uppercut, kick=kick.

Consider signing up for a youth kickboxing or martial arts class. The discipline, respect, and physical skills taught in a structured class are invaluable.