Kickboxing explained

Kickboxing Explained

Kickboxing came over from the USA in the mid 70’s. The World Association of Kickboxing Organisation (WAKO) is the sole kickboxing organisation recognised in the world by the General Association of International Sports Federations (AGFIS) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is a combination of European boxing techniques and eastern kick techniques.

There are 3 main categories:

Very briefly the rules are:

Semi-contact

This is a “stop/start” category, to you need to make contact with your opponent either by a kick or a punch, in striking a part of the body you score a point/points. In striking an opponent, you are not to hit with excessive force. All kicks and punches have to be controlled and you do not follow through. The scoring is as follows;

A punch to the head or front of the body – 1 point.

A kick to the front of body - 1 point.

A kick to the head - 2 points.

A jumping kick to the body - 2 points.

A jumping kick to the head - 3 points.

Light continuous

This is a continuous fight very much along the lines of e.g. a boxing match. The scoring is exactly the same as the above. By definition it is light contact and in no way is the object of the fight to hit an opponent with excessive force, punches and kick have to be controlled and not followed through. To do this would mean disqualification.

Full contact

Full contact is fought a long similar lines to a boxing match and scoring is similar to Semi-contact.

For full rules and more information visit www.wakoweb.com