Kickboxing

The Ultimate Guide To Kickboxing Solo Training

By November 27, 2022January 5th, 2023No Comments
148-the_ultimate_guide_to_kickboxing_solo_training

Here’s a Kickboxing solo training guide so you can practice at home.  Although training with a partner is absolutely the best, here’s a list of exercises that you can do on your own with zero equipment to help you perfect your form.

Clearly, the most immediate way you can train Kickboxing at home is by Shadowboxing.  Essentially, Shadowboxing is solo training; meaning, you’re practicing your Martial Arts techniques without a partner.  As well as training Kickboxing without any equipment.

Shadowboxing can be a simple fun workout where you’re exercising your punches and your kicks.  Conversely, Shadowboxing can be a deeply focused aspect of your training.

At this point, I’d like to breakdown some of the subtle nuances of how to Shadowbox correctly.

Shadowboxing

It should be noted that there’s basically 2 ways to Shadowbox

  1. To practice your form
  2. Mentally replicate the actual sparring experience.

Firstly, let’s talk about Shadowing as a training method to perfect your form.  This is the most common way people Shadowbox.  By throwing your fists and your feet through the air, you’re also being mindful of your head positioning, hip angle, elbow position, heel position – everything. You’re focusing on everywhere your limbs need to be to throw the perfect punch or kick.

Shadowboxing as a way to perfect your form is absolutely essential and is one of the best ways for beginners to get good fast.

However, as soon as you feel comfortable, you need to start coupling your defensive moves with your offensive techniques.  As a result, what you need to do is visualize an attack from your imaginary partner.  In your mind’s eye, you’re seeing a punch flying at your head and you’re parrying or weaving the punch and then coming back with an attack of your own.

Unquestionably, this is very difficult.  To do this right, you need deep focus and a vivid imagination.  Along with the fact that it just feels weird at first 🤣

Nevertheless, Shadowboxing were you’re fighting an invisible opponent is the next best thing to actually fight a real opponent!  Luckily, if you’re natural day dreamer and you have a creative imagination, you’ll excel at this type of training.

Earlier, I pointed out that there was two ways to Shadowbox.  One way was for form.  A second way was to imitate sparring.

Now, let’s look at some common mistakes that people make when they Shadowbox.

When you’re Shadowboxing, you shouldn’t be able to see your hands.  Sounds strange however, starting at your hands as you punch is a common mistake most beginners make.

Ultimately, if you can see your hands when you’re Shadowboxing, then your hands are too low.  Plus your chin is too high and you’re training to punch a little kid. 😳

Conversely, if your chin is down then your hands should be around your eyebrows. And thus, above your line of sight.

Further, if your your chin is down when you punch then you’re hitting your target without seeing your fist make impact. If you can directly see your fist hit your target; then your chin is up too high.

Punching without seeing your hands will take some practice. As well as keeping your chin down when you strike.  However, this is the reason why you’re training Kickboxing at home.  So that you can get as much practice in whenever you can.  You’re not just limited to when you find time to go to the gym or when there’s a class scheduled

Furthermore, you want to extend your punches fully.

When we are practicing on a heavy bag and when we’re training on focus mitts, there’s a target that stops our strikes.  Clearly, you want to fully extend your punches so that you achieve the maximum extension of your reach and power.  Unfortunately, completely extending your punches isn’t immediately obvious.

By fully extending your strikes, you’ll be readying yourself to follow through with your punches so you’ll be reaching maximum power.  Furthermore, you’ll be ensuring that you’re not going to hyperextend your elbow or dislocate your shoulder by punching wrong.

In addition, make sure that you’re also fully extending your kicks.

You want to reach out and extend your kicks as much as possible.

Unquestionably, extending your kicks fully will allow you to fight with the full capacity of your reach and distance.  Thus, making it more difficult for your partner to land a counter strike.

Most importantly, as you Shadowbox, you need to ensure that you’re doing it correctly.

First and foremost, let’s look at ways to perfect your fighting stance.

Kickboxing Solo Training: Fighting Stance

As you’re attempting to build foundational skills with Shadowboxing, first and foremost, we need to start everything off with your fighting stance.  Unquestionably, your fighting stance is the foundation which all of your technique are built upon.
In particular, your fighting stance needs to provide you with mobility, balance and power generation.

The Ultimate Guide To Kickboxing Solo Training

Above all, your fighting stance should be based on the Universal Athletic Position.
The Universal Athletic Position is when you have your knees bent, your hands up and your heels off the ground.  This is how you would stand in tennis, in football or any other activity that demands speed, agility and power.
Thus, the Universal Athletic Position is the same for when you’re standing and fighting.  However, a key difference is that you’ll stand more bladed when Kickboxing.

Undoubtedly, keeping your chin down is an essential component for an effective fighting stance.
Simply put, you want to protect your neck when you’re fighting.
The Ultimate Guide To Kickboxing Solo Training
Obviously, this is done by keeping your chin down, drawing your shoulders forward and by having your hands up high.

Further to perfecting your fighting stance, a cool tip is to use a rolled up poster to help you keep your chin down and your neck protected.

The Ultimate Guide To Kickboxing Solo Training

Just roll up a big sheet of paper to make a tube.

And then put your forehead on one end of the tube and brace the other end against a wall.

Clearly, this will instantly perfect your chin position!

Kickboxing Solo Training: Straight Punches

At this time, let’s talk about your straight punches.
This would be your Jab and your Straight Right Hand.
As you’re training at home, focus on keeping your elbow in when you’re throwing your Jab and your Straight Right.

The Ultimate Guide To Kickboxing Solo Training

An immediate way to ensure that your elbow stays in is by punching next to a wall.  For example, with the Jab, have your left shoulder next to the wall.  As you punch, your left elbow should never touch the wall.
Clearly, this is the same for the Straight Right.  Have your right shoulder next to the wall and as you punch, your right elbow shouldn’t run into the wall.

The Ultimate Guide To Kickboxing Solo Training

Kickboxing Solo Training: The Foot Jab

Furthermore, a wall can help you with your Foot Jab.
Specifically, you want to have you Foot Jab as straight and linear as possible.

Specifically, if you want to train at home for your Right Foot Jab; then, stand with your right shoulder next to a wall.  Next focus on executing your Right Foot Jab without colliding your knee into the wall.
Obviously, this is the same for the Left Foot Jab.  Simply have your left shoulder against the wall and try to prevent your left knee from making contact with the wall as you’re kicking 😊

In addition, to further perfect your Foot Jab, try kicking over a stack of kicking shields.  Of course, if you’re training Kickboxing at home,  not everyone has a stack of kicking shields in their living room; but, you can just kick over a chair or a coffee table instead. 😊

When you’re practicing your Foot Jab by kicking over an obstacle, you’re ensuring that you’re chambering your knee.

Notice how my knee draws up to my chest so that my foot can clear the stack of kicking shields.  By practicing your Foot Jab by kicking over an obstacle, you’re ensuring proper form for your kick.

Another cool way to train Kickboxing at home is to build up balance and accuracy of your Foot Jab by having your foot go in between two legs of a chair.

This exercise really burns out your legs and builds up stamina for your kicks.

Try to go back and forth between the two legs of a chair for as many times as possible before you lose your balance or your legs burn out!

The next progression to this exercise is to go in a figure 8.

Point your toes and focus on keeping your balance. And be sure to change directions on your figure 8 pattern occasionally.  This exercise is super tough, even for the most advanced Kickboxers.

Keep at it and this exercise will build stamina and dexterity in your kicks!

 

Kickboxing Solo Training: The Side Kick

Earlier, we talked about kicking over an obstacle – like maybe a chair, a coffee table, or in my case, a stack of kicking shields 😊

Let’s take that same drill and steer it towards helping us train our Side Kick.  A key component is having a powerful Side Kick is the chambering of your knee.  Your knee needs to come up to your chest first before you drive into your target.

Thus, by kicking over an obstacle, you’re ensuring that your knee chambers first before you kick out to strike your target.

Once you’ve mastered chambering your knee for the Side Kick, try alternating a right kick and a left kick against a wall.

Keep in mind that this is more of a Back Kick but it still has a similar execution to the Side Kick.

Besides working on chambering your knee for your Back Kick, you also want to focus on having a perfectly straight trajectory for your kick.

For your Side Kick and for your Back Kick, you want to focus on ensuring that leg moves perfectly straight.

A great way to train at home is to use a wall as a guide to show you that your leg is as straight as possible.

Furthermore, for kickboxing solo training, you can also use a chair for practicing your Side Kicks

The first drill is to to go side to side between to legs of the chair.  This drill really burns out your glutes.  Plus, it’ll give your Side Kick the accuracy it needs to land when you’re sparring.

The next drill you can do on a chair for your Side Kicks is the figure 8.  Earlier, we did this drill for the Foot Jab.  At this time we’re doing to do this drill for the Side Kick.  Keep in mind that it’s essentially the same drill except your foot is on it’s side.

Training Kickboxing At Home: The Hook Kick (Roundhouse Kick)

Look at the kick at the end of the combination below.  This is the Hook Kick.  Also called the Roundhouse Kick.  Note the extension on the kick.  At the moment of impact there’s a stretch in both the right leg and in the left leg.

To establish a full extension on your kick, try standing with your chest close to a wall.  And then, lift and extend your right kick and then your left kick.  This drill really helps reinforce the importance of extension and reach for your kicks.

That’s all I’ve got for now!

Enjoy 😃:

Check out my Precision Kickboxing Masterclass video instructional series!

The A to Z system for learning Kickboxing as fast as possible 😃

You’ll learn:

  • Detailed fundamentals
  • Advanced combinations
  • Punching and Kicking defense
  • Effective counter attacks
  • Solo and partner drills
  • How to use training equipment
  • Safe Sparring progressions
  • Winning fight strategies

You can watch this anywhere on your phone, tablet or laptop.

The Ultimate Guide To Kickboxing Solo Training

Click here to check out my Precision Kickboxing Masterclass! 😃

Ritchie Yip

Ritchie Yip

Ritchie Yip is the Head Instructor for InFighting Training Centers located in Downtown Vancouver and Brentwood Burnaby. InFighting Training Centers offers programs in Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Bootcamp Conditioning Classes and Personal Training

Article by

Ritchie Yip

Ritchie Yip is a life long martial artist, BJJ Black Belt, and the head instructor of the InFighting Martial Arts Gym in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

Do you live in the Greater Vancouver, or Brentwood Burnaby area?
Are you looking for a Kickboxing program specifically designed for the absolute beginner? Then, come check out our world class 7,000 sq ft facility directly across the street from the Amazing Brentwood Mall. 😃

Let’s Get Started