Bridging Boxing to Muay Thai: New Kickboxing Personal Training Course Begins
- jamie03066
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
14.11.2025
Starting a new martial arts journey can be both exciting and challenging, especially when transitioning from one discipline to another. Today, I welcomed a new private client to my Kickboxing Personal Training Course who had already spent six months training in Boxing with another coach. His goal was to expand his skill set and explore other striking arts, particularly as a step toward Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). This post shares insights from our first session, focusing on how my style of kickboxing serves as a practical bridge between Boxing and Muay Thai.
Understanding the Style and Purpose of the Kickboxing Course
My approach to kickboxing leans more toward the Dutch and Japanese styles rather than the American or French versions. This choice is intentional because these styles emphasize a smooth transition from Boxing fundamentals to the more complex striking techniques found in Muay Thai. For example, I teach the teep and style of round kick found in Muay Thai rather then the more Savate/Karate/Taekwondo style found in the other arts mentioned. For MMA enthusiasts, this progression is crucial. It builds on the strong punching foundation of Boxing while introducing kicks and knees that are essential for defending and attacking in a broader combat context.
The Kickboxing Personal Training Course is designed to:
Adapt the boxing stance to defend against leg kicks
Introduce a variety of kicks and knees from the outside range
Develop fluid combinations that mix punches with kicks
Prepare students for the demands of Muay Thai and MMA striking
This structure helps clients like mine feel confident as they expand their striking arsenal without losing the core skills they already have.
Focusing on the Push Kick (Teep) as the Foundation
In our first session, we concentrated on the push kick, or teep, which is arguably the most important kick in this style. The teep acts as a versatile tool for maintaining distance, disrupting an opponent’s rhythm, and setting up other strikes.
I teach the teep through live, interactive drills. For example, I asked my client to push me away with his foot while I moved toward him. This exercise helped him:
Feel the correct timing and distance for the kick
Learn how to use his arm to set up the teep effectively
Adjust his balance and stance to deliver a strong, controlled push
Once he became comfortable with delivering the teep, we switched to defending against it. I showed him three key defensive moves:
Bracing the body to absorb the push
Scooping the kick away with the hand
Deflecting the kick using the knee
We practiced these defences in a teep-only sparring drill, which allowed him to experience both sides of the technique and understand its practical application.
Combining the Teep with the Jab for Dynamic Sparring
After mastering the teep and its defense, I introduced a sparring game that combined the teep with the jab. This drill focused on using either technique to feint or set up the other, which is a critical skill in real fights.
We practiced this in two ways:
An attack versus defence game where one of us tried to land the jab or teep while the other defended
A free sparring round where we both attempted to land these techniques against each other
This approach helped my client develop timing, distance control, and the ability to read his opponent’s movements. It also reinforced how punches and kicks can work together rather than separately.
Finishing with Targeted Pad Work
To wrap up the session, I coached my client on the belly pad and focus mitts. This part of the training allowed him to:
Practice the teep and jab with power and precision
Receive immediate feedback on technique and timing
Build conditioning and muscle memory for these strikes
Pad work is essential for transferring skills from drills and sparring into real fight scenarios. It also provides a safe environment to push intensity without risking injury.
Why This Kickboxing Personal Training Course Works for MMA Beginners
This course is ideal for anyone coming from a boxing background who wants to explore kickboxing and Muay Thai as part of their MMA training. It respects the skills you already have while introducing new techniques in a logical, step-by-step way.
Key benefits include:
A clear progression from punches to kicks and knees
Practical defence techniques against leg attacks
Sparring games that build real-fight instincts
Personalised coaching tailored to your experience level
If you are a new private client interested in expanding your striking skills, this Kickboxing Personal Training Course offers a focused, effective path to mastering the essential techniques that bridge Boxing and Muay Thai.