Written by theHobbyist
Read time: ~2 – 3 minutes
What is timing, and how do we utilize it?
Timing is a skill kickboxers use to enter the pocket. This means the practitioner intentionally closes the distance between himself and opponent to attack or score a point. At times this can feel like a monumental task. It may feel overwhelmingly impossible to put yourself into combat range safely and quickly enough to launch a devastating blow. Your opponent may seem faster than you. Or they are more accurate, hitting you every time you move. How confusing, demoralizing? So how do we escape the box, the cage, that our opponent is watching? To deliver an attack outside of one’s watchful mind, I believe there are a few approaches: 1) defense, 2) footwork, 3) range control, and 4) offense.
Defense:
One way to improve timing is to become impenetrable. Think, medieval knight. Protected from head to toe, impenetrable. A good and solid defense could be all that we need to create an opening and time a successful attack. It is like solving a Sudoku puzzle, or better yet it is like being stuck on a puzzle. The pieces are there, but the aggressor just cannot figure out a way in. Attacks might start to arc, or shots become lackluster. Either way, when momentum starts to fade or doubt starts to form, opportunities to counter-attack can be realized.
Footwork:
Precision and agility, footwork allows us to be in the right place at the right time. Footwork moves us. It moves us into a position to strike or away from being hit. Timing in footwork informs us when and how quickly or slowly to move. When I started kickboxing, my coach told me, in essence, footwork is dance. You move when your partner moves, attached to a tangent. When your opponent approaches, you are backing away. When they commit, you pivot. Etc.
Range control:
Dancing just outside. Range control is the keen awareness to move in and out of the range of our opponent’s reach. This practice lets us control the timing of the fight or pace. The first two approaches to timing capitalize on the mistakes of our opponent, but controlling the range gives us the opportunity to both create an opening and counter-attack opponents who are out(side) of position.
Offense:
Another method to control the timing or pace is to create a threat. In my opinion, a fighter who is phenomenal at this, of course, is Suphachai Saepong also professionally known as Saenchai. Creating a threat occupies the mind of our opponents. This can create openings. When a threat is there, risk is calculated. And while risk is calculated, the attention is divided. Therefore, a threat creates opportunities to attack.
Let’s conclude:
These approaches to timing are cumulative. First is Defense. Then it is footwork. Footwork works together with an impenetrable defense. Third is range control, which is supported by good footwork. Then or lastly, we have offense which can appropriately set the pace of timing with good range control, elusive footwork and as a moving fortress.
Also, if you have not done so already, considering checking out this blog on the concepts fundamental to any kickboxer.
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Last edited on 03/03/2025