Kickboxing Competition Types

The success of kickboxing has seen it evolve into different types of contact for different types of competitors.

Since being established as a sport in 1974 Kickboxing has been split up into three different 'contact' versions for different levels of competitor. This decision was made to appeal to a larger number of competitors.

The three contact versions of Kickboxing are:

• Semi-Contact
• Light-Contact
• Full-Contact

Semi-Contact Kickboxing

Semi-contact Kickboxing opponents try to score points by successfully landing strikes to their opponent whilst maintaining clean controlled form. Each strike must be made with light contact only. Each time a strike is successfully landed, the fight is interrupted and opponents are reset to their staring positions. Referees assess and score the strike accordingly.

A successful strike scores 1-3 points depending on the degree of complexity.

Light-Contact Kickboxing

Light-contact kickboxing opponents fight for a number of number of rounds and try to score points by landing clean and controlled strikes. If a fighter is deemed to be fighting too hard then they shall be given a warning by the referee. Otherwise the fight is continuous and only interrupted if a foul committed.

Light-contact kickboxing is perfect for intermediate Kick boxers who want to compete or gain vital experience for full-contact fights.

Full-Contact Kickboxing

Full-contact Kickboxing opponents fight each other with the aim knock their opponent out or score the most points. This version of Kickboxing is scored very similar to that in Boxing.

The majority of people competing in full contact kickboxing have a few years of martial arts training behind them.