Calgary Kickboxing: 3 Tips for Perfecting Your Kickboxing Stance

At Element Martial Arts in Calgary, we understand that every powerful strike, efficient block, and quick movement in kickboxing starts with a solid stance. Your stance is the foundation of your balance, mobility, and strength. Whether you're new to kickboxing or looking to improve your skills, perfecting your stance is crucial for success. A proper stance allows you to generate power, stay balanced, and move quickly in any direction. Here are three essential tips to help you perfect your kickboxing stance and elevate your training.

1. Find the Right Foot Position

Your foot positioning is the cornerstone of a strong kickboxing stance. A well-positioned stance allows you to stay balanced, generate power, and maintain quick mobility. Without proper foot placement, you may struggle to stay stable or generate enough power in your strikes.

Why It’s Important: Proper foot positioning ensures that your body is always ready to defend and attack effectively. It helps you stay balanced while moving in and out of range, delivering powerful strikes while also protecting yourself from your opponent.

How to Achieve It:

• Stance Width: Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, which provides a solid base for balance. If your feet are too close together, you may lose stability. If they're too far apart, you'll have difficulty moving quickly.

• Lead Foot Position: Your lead foot (left foot for orthodox, right foot for southpaw) should point slightly inward, around 30 degrees. This helps with balance and makes it easier to pivot when throwing kicks or punches.

• Rear Foot Position: Your rear foot should be positioned behind your lead foot, about 45 degrees, and your heel should be slightly off the ground. This positioning allows you to generate power in your punches and kicks, as well as quickly move forward or backward.

Tips for Practicing Foot Position:

• Use a mirror to check your foot placement regularly during shadow boxing or drills.

• Practice shifting your weight from your front foot to your back foot to get comfortable with quick movements while maintaining your stance.

• Incorporate footwork drills that emphasize smooth transitions between offence and defence.

2. Maintain Proper Weight Distribution

Your weight distribution plays a key role in your ability to move swiftly, defend against attacks, and deliver powerful strikes. If your weight is too far forward or backward, you may lose balance or speed. Properly distributing your weight ensures that you're always ready to move in any direction while staying balanced.

Why It’s Important: Proper weight distribution enhances your ability to shift between offence and defence seamlessly. It keeps you light on your feet, ready to move in any direction quickly, while also giving you the power to strike effectively.

How to Achieve It:

• Balanced Weight: Your weight should be evenly distributed between your lead and rear foot. This balanced stance allows for quick movement forward, backward, or sideways while maintaining stability.

• Stay on the Balls of Your Feet: Keep your weight slightly forward on the balls of your feet rather than flat-footed. This positioning helps you move more fluidly and respond to your opponent’s movements more quickly.

• Slight Knee Bend: Keep your knees slightly bent at all times. This helps with stability and allows you to absorb impact from strikes or quickly react with your own.

Tips for Practicing Weight Distribution:

• Shadowbox while focusing on shifting your weight from front to back and side to side. This will help you become comfortable with weight distribution during movement.

• Practice defensive drills that require quick shifts in weight, such as slipping punches or checking kicks.

• Work with a coach to get feedback on your balance and weight distribution during sparring sessions.

3. Keep Your Guard Up and Body Engaged

In kickboxing, maintaining a strong guard and an engaged core is crucial for both offence and defence. Your guard protects your head and body from incoming strikes, while an engaged core helps with balance, power generation, and movement.

Why It’s Important: Keeping your guard up and your body engaged helps protect you from attacks while allowing you to throw strong, well-balanced strikes. A lowered guard or disengaged core leaves you vulnerable to your opponent’s attacks.

How to Achieve It:

• Hand Position: Keep your hands up at cheek level. Your lead hand should be slightly in front of your face, and your rear hand should be closer to your chin. This position allows you to block punches and deliver quick counterattacks.

• Elbows In: Keep your elbows tucked close to your body to protect your ribs from body shots and help maintain a tight defence.

• Engage Your Core: Keep your core engaged throughout your stance. This not only helps with balance but also adds power to your punches and kicks. An engaged core makes you more stable and prepared to absorb impact.

Tips for Practicing Guard and Core Engagement:

• Shadowbox while keeping your hands up and your elbows in. Focus on maintaining your guard even while moving and throwing punches.

• Perform core exercises like planks and Russian twists to strengthen your core, which helps with balance and power in your stance.

• Work with a coach to ensure your guard remains tight during pad work or sparring.

Perfecting your kickboxing stance is a fundamental part of becoming a skilled and effective kickboxer. By focusing on foot positioning, proper weight distribution, and maintaining your guard and core engagement, you’ll build a strong foundation for your entire game. At Element Martial Arts in Calgary, our experienced instructors are dedicated to helping you develop the skills and techniques needed to excel in kickboxing. With consistent practice and dedication, you’ll see improvement in both your offensive and defensive abilities. Join us to refine your stance and elevate your kickboxing skills to the next level. Book your trial class  or call us for more information!