K-1. Kickboxing as a way of life

© Sergey Tsyrulnikov, 2024

ISBN 978-5-0060-2160-0

Created with Ridero smart publishing system

K-1. Kickboxing as a way of life

Dear Friend,

If you have decided to embark on this amazing path of an athlete, fighter, kickboxer, then let me share with you one important secret. In this world full of challenges and trials, you will find something special that will distinguish you from many other people. Feel this magical feeling of your own uniqueness.

But remember, with this feeling comes responsibility. You must learn to control it like a powerful weapon. Your heart should be open to kindness and compassion, and your mind should be cool and reasonable. After all, it is these qualities that make you not only a great athlete, but also a great person.

Remember that in any situation, whether it is victory or defeat, you must remain a person with a capital letter. Justice, kindness and decency are the values that should always accompany you on this path. Do not forget that you will have to live with this feeling all your life. And even in many years, when you will no longer be as motivated and enthusiastic as you are now, remember that you are a fighter. Let your every step be filled not only with the desire to win, but also with the desire to be better than yesterday, as an athlete and as a person.

In this book, I will tell you about K-1 kickboxing, technique, training, and preparation for competitions. The chapters in this book also cover advanced topics such as psychology and mental preparation in kickboxing, inspiring readers to practice K-1 kickboxing and live a fulfilling life. Such a book can help spread the popularity of this exciting combat sport.

INTRODUCTION

K-1 was founded in 1993 and is a popular professional kickboxing promotion. The “K” in K-1 stands for Karate, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, and Kempo.

It is a popular martial art and is a hybrid style of kickboxing that combines elements of full contact kickboxing, karate, boxing, and Muay Thai. With explosive fights that last three rounds, the K-1 provides non-stop action and is easy for spectators to see. K-1 has gained popularity around the world due to its fast-paced nature and the ability for fighters to give their all in every round. K-1 events have been held in many countries, and broadcasts are available worldwide. K-1 is also popular among women, and female professional fighters are gaining more reach.

However, he does not have a Japanese or Americanphilosophy of style in the literal sense. Instead, it can be said that K-1 incorporates elements of different styles and approaches, which can vary depending on the training school, coach, or fighter.

But still, it is possible to identify some features and trends that are often associated with Japanese and Americanapproaches to kickboxing:

Japanese philosophy in kickboxing usually includes respect for tradition and culture, as well as paying attention to the spiritual and ethical side of martial arts.

The Japanese style of kickboxing can stand out for its aesthetic appeal and emphasis on graceful movements and good technique.

Japanese fighters can have a wide range of skills and techniques, and they strive for versatile development to be ready for different situations in battle.

The Americanstyle of kickboxing can be more energetic and focus on aggressiveness in the execution of punches and combinations.

Americanfighters may place a high value on physical strength and fitness, striving to be strong and ready for high-intensity combat.

The Americanstyle is characterized by the search for new techniques, strategies and training methods. Fighters should be open to experiments and innovations in the training process.

However, it is important to understand that these general characteristics are not strict and comprehensive. K-1 attracts fighters from all over the world, and each fighter can have their own unique style and philosophy, regardless of their nationalityor background.

K-1 is a unique combat sport that requires strength, speed and technique, and is one of the most exciting and memorable in the world of martial arts.

There are many benefits to learning K-1 kickboxing, including improved fitness, self-defense skills, and self-regulation under stress. K-1 kickboxing workouts include intense functional exercises that can lead to weight loss and improved cardiovascular health. K-1 kickboxing also teaches self-defense skills that can boost self-confidence and provide a sense of security. In addition, K-1 kickboxing can serve as a stress reliever, allowing participants to release pent-up energy and frustration. Group kickboxing classes can create a strong sense of community. A relationship with a coach can be an additional source of psychological support. Coaches can often act as motivators and mentors.

CHAPTER 1: BASICS OF K-1 KICKBOXING

Competition Rules:

The rules of K-1 are not much different from other styles of kickboxing and emphasize the individuality of this direction. Fighters compete in a square ring and can use punches, kicks, and knees. Elbows and throws are prohibited. Matches consist of three or five rounds (in the case of a title fight) of three minutes each, where fighters are awarded points for hitting. A match can be completed by knockout (ko), technical knockout (TKO), decision (dec), disqualification (dq), draw or no contest.

The referee and the doctor have the right to stop the fight. A fighter can be saved by throwing a towel into the ring only in the last round. The fight is judged by three side judges on a ten-point system (the winner of each round gets ten points, and the loser gets nine or less if the round is equal, both get ten points). If there is no winner after three rounds, then one or two additional three-minute rounds are appointed. In such a situation, only the extra round is judged. If there is still a draw after the extra rounds, then the judges evaluate the entire fight as a whole, taking into account even the slightest difference. A fight can be a draw if both fighters are unable to continue the fight at the same time, in case of injury.

Three knockdowns in one round is a victory by technical knockout. After each knockdown, the referee counts down to eight, after which he decides whether the fighter can continue the fight. A fighter can only be saved by a gong in the last round.

There are no restrictions or specific requirements regarding the minimum number of kicks per round.

Kicks are allowed all over the body, except for the groin area.

Knee strikes are allowed.

Boxing gloves, an inguinal protector and a mouthguard to protect the teeth are mandatory elements of athletes’ equipment.

Prohibited Activities in K-1:

Using the head or elbows to strike and clinch is prohibited. Any throws, suffocating holds, blows to the throat and back of the head are also prohibited.

Attacking the opponent while he is falling or rising is prohibited. Attacking an opponent after the referee’s command is not allowed.

Arguing with the judge while in the ring is also prohibited by the current rules of kickboxing K-1.

A fighter can be penalized as follows:

A warning is a verbal reprimand by the referee.

Warning – the fighter is shown a yellow card.

Disqualification – the fighter is shown a red card.

CHAPTER 2: TECHNIQUE AND TACTICS

In K-1 kickboxing, punches, kicks, and knees are the main techniques used to attack an opponent. Punches are usually delivered to the head and body, with the jab being the most commonly used punch. Kicks usually target the legs, body, and head, with the most popular being the opponent’s side kick to the thigh (low kick) and the roundhouse kick to the torso. Knee strikes are inflicted on the torso and head, and are often used in close combat.

Defensive techniques in K-1 kickboxing include blocking, stands, dives, slips and pullbacks, side shifts, and clinches. Fighters can use their hands to block punches and kicks, or they can use their legs to hold off low kicks. Blind defense includes stands with a quick movement of the arms or legs, from the opponent’s attacks. Dodges and dives are characterized by a rapid displacement of the head from the line of attack by twisting the torso and shifting its center of gravity from one leg to the other in order to avoid an incoming blow. Pulls back and side shifts work great at long distances and are considered a convenient defense against punches and kicks. Clinch in K-1 is characterized as a technique of restraining the opponent, in which the fighter presses tightly against the opponent and wraps his arms around him. The clinch can be used for a variety of purposes: punching and kneeling, defensively to limit the opponent’s mobility, as well as to control the opponent’s position and rest for a while. K-1 requires a combination of proper technique, reaction speed, flexibility, and coordination.

It is important to understand that an effectively selected defensive action is considered to be one after which the fighter will be able to successfully counterattack the opponent. Regular training and practice of these techniques will help to develop skills and increase the level of defense during fights.

The sequence of mastering technical actions and techniques in K-1 kickboxing:

Main stances:

Stances in kickboxing are a fundamental element that plays a key role in a fighter’s effectiveness. Start with the basic stances in K-1 kickboxing, such as the general attack stance (frontal), the side stance, and the semi-body stance. It is important to position your legs, arms and body correctly for optimal defense and attack from one position or another.

Basic stance (for right-handers):

Leg position: Left leg in front, right leg behind. Feet shoulder-width apart.

Arms: The left arm is in front and slightly bent, the right hand is at the chin.

Body: Shoulders relaxed, body slightly turned to the right. Head position: Chin down, eyes looking forward.

For a left-handed kickboxer, the stance is usually right-sided. This means that the right leg is in front and the left leg is behind.

General Offensive Stance (Frontal): This is the basic stance that a fighter uses to attack and counterattack. In this stance, the kickboxer stands facing the opponent with his feet shoulder-width apart, one leg slightly in front of the other. Arms are raised to protect the face and body. Side stance: In this stance, the fighter stands sideways to the opponent, with one leg in front of the other. In this stance, the fighter is more mobile, which allows him to quickly strike with his front hand and leg. In the side stance, it is convenient to restrain the opponent at a distance.

Half-Body Stance: This stance is similar to a side stance, but the fighter’s body is turned towards the opponent as in a combat stance. This stance provides good protection and allows you to quickly switch to an attack from a long distance, as well as instantly close the distance.

Proper positioning of the legs, arms and body is important for optimal defense and attack. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart to ensure stability. Arms should be raised to protect the face and body. The body should be slightly tilted forward to maintain balance and carry out an attack.

Remember that the effectiveness of using a stance depends on many factors, including the fighter’s physical fitness, fighting style, and strategy. Therefore, it is important to train regularly and experiment with different stances to find the one that best suits you in a particular combat situation.