5 Essential Martial-Arts Strikes & How to Perfect Them
Every great fighter—whether in Taekwondo, Karate, or MMA—starts with rock-solid fundamentals. Master these five strikes and you’ll build a toolkit that transfers to almost any style.
The Jab (Boxing)
- Fast, linear punch for rangefinding and combos.
- Key cues: chin tucked, elbow down, snap from the shoulder.
- Common mistake: dropping the rear hand while jabbing.
The Cross (Kickboxing)
- Power punch generated from hip rotation.
- Drill: 3-minute “jab-cross only” shadow-boxing rounds.
The Roundhouse Kick (Muay Thai/TKD)
- Turn support foot 45-90°, whip the shin through the target.
- Use a wall drill to ingrain hip turnover.
Front Snap Kick (Karate/TKD)
- Chamber knee, drive through ball of foot for linear power.
- Great for stopping forward pressure.
Elbow Strike (Muay Thai)
- Short-range weapon; slice across or spike downward.
- Focus mitt drill: three elbows each side, reset guard.
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