Yes, striking generally includes kicking, along with punches and, in some sports, knees and elbows. The exact techniques allowed depend on the combat sport and its rules.
This distinction matters if you are choosing a martial art, watching a match, or learning how a specific ruleset works. Below, you’ll see what striking means, how major sports treat kicks, and which targets and techniques are typically restricted. You’ll also find a practical way to check the rules before training or competing, since one sport’s legal technique may be a foul in another.
does striking include kicking in every combat sport?
Usually, yes—but not in every sport. In martial arts, striking is the broad category of attacks delivered by impact. That can include punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. The rules decide which of those techniques a competitor may use, where they may land, and whether they can be used in a particular position.
For example, a kick is a standard strike in kickboxing and Muay Thai. In boxing, kicking is not allowed at all. In mixed martial arts (MMA), kicks are permitted in many situations, but the rules restrict certain targets and actions. So the clearest answer is that kicking is a form of striking, while its legality depends on the sport.
People also use the word “striking” to describe a skill area in training. A class labeled striking might teach punches and kicks, but its curriculum depends on the coach and style. Ask what techniques the class covers rather than assuming that the label guarantees kicking practice.
What counts as a strike?
A strike is an attack made by hitting an opponent with a permitted part of the body. The permitted contact areas and targets vary by ruleset. A technique can count as a strike in one sport and be illegal in another.
Common striking techniques include:
- Punches: Attacks delivered with the fist, such as a jab or cross. Boxing focuses on these, while many other striking sports combine punches with additional techniques.
- Kicks: Attacks delivered with the foot, shin, or another permitted part of the leg. Examples include a front kick, roundhouse kick, and side kick.
- Knees: Attacks delivered with the knee. Some sports permit them freely in certain situations; others limit or prohibit them.
- Elbows: Short-range attacks with the elbow, permitted in some styles and banned in others.
“Striking” is different from grappling, which involves controlling, throwing, pinning, or submitting an opponent. Some combat sports feature both striking and grappling. MMA is a clear example, while a boxing match is limited to striking with the fists under boxing rules.
How kicking rules vary by sport
There is no single rulebook for all martial arts. The table gives a general overview, not a substitute for the rules of a particular league, event, or class. Even within one sport, organizations may set different restrictions.
| Sport | Are kicks allowed? | Other common strikes | Best for understanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boxing | No | Punches | Hand striking under a tightly defined ruleset |
| Kickboxing | Yes | Punches; knees in some formats | Combining punches with kicks |
| Muay Thai | Yes | Punches, knees, and elbows | A broad stand-up striking ruleset |
| Mixed martial arts | Yes, with restrictions | Punches, elbows, and knees, subject to rules | Striking within a sport that also includes grappling |
| Taekwondo | Yes; kicks are central | Punches are more limited in many competition formats | Sport-focused kicking and distance |
| Karate | Often, but rules vary | Punches and kicks; contact rules differ | How style and competition format affect striking |
| Sanda | Yes | Punches, kicks, and throws | Striking combined with takedowns |
Boxing
Boxing is a striking sport, but kicking is not part of the legal attack set. Competitors use punches, and the rules also define which parts of the opponent they may hit. A kick in a boxing bout is a foul, not a different kind of boxing strike.
Kickboxing and Muay Thai
Kickboxing typically combines punches and kicks. The permitted techniques depend on the particular kickboxing format. Some versions allow knees, while others restrict them; elbows are commonly excluded from many kickboxing rulesets.
Muay Thai is known for using punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. Clinch rules—the rules for holding and attacking at close range—also matter. A technique that is allowed during a Muay Thai clinch may not be allowed in another sport’s clinch or standing position.
MMA, taekwondo, karate, and sanda
MMA includes kicks as well as punches and other strikes, but it is not simply a kickboxing match. Competitors can grapple, and the rules set limits on legal targets and actions. For instance, restrictions can apply to attacks on a grounded opponent. The exact rule depends on the organization and competition.
Taekwondo competitions often place particular emphasis on kicks, although the scoring system and the role of punches vary by format. Karate is not one uniform competition ruleset: some formats emphasize controlled contact, while others allow different levels of contact and technique. Sanda combines punches and kicks with throws, so it crosses the usual line between striking and grappling.
Why the same kick can be legal in one sport and illegal in another
A technique’s legality is not determined only by how it is performed. The ruleset, target, timing, and position all matter. A kick may be permitted against a standing opponent but restricted against someone who is grounded. A knee may be legal in one format and prohibited in another.
Rules also distinguish between a legal technique and an illegal target. A sport can allow kicks while still banning kicks to particular areas. Some competitions limit contact or prohibit certain techniques for safety, age, or skill-level reasons. That means “kicking is allowed” is useful as a starting point, but it does not answer every rules question.
Equipment and competition format can affect how athletes train, but protective gear does not automatically make a technique legal. Gloves, shin guards, or other equipment may be required by an event. Follow the event’s rulebook rather than inferring permissions from what competitors are wearing.
How to check whether a kick is allowed
If you are joining a class, preparing for an event, or comparing martial arts, use this checklist. It helps you get beyond broad labels such as “striking” or “kickboxing.”
- Identify the exact sport and format. Ask whether the class or event uses boxing, a specific kickboxing ruleset, Muay Thai, MMA, or another style. A sport name alone may not tell you which organization’s rules apply.
- Ask which techniques are taught or permitted. Confirm whether kicks, knees, and elbows are included. Ask about the types of kicks, too, if you need to know whether the training includes front kicks, roundhouses, or other variations.
- Check the target restrictions. Find out which areas of the body are legal targets and whether those rules change for children, beginners, or particular divisions.
- Ask how the rules change on the ground or in a clinch. Some techniques are allowed only while both competitors are standing. Clinch and grounded-position rules can change what is legal.
- Use the current event rulebook for competition. If you are entering a bout, get the rules from the organizer or governing body. Do not rely on a general description, a short video, or rules from a different league.
For regular classes, the instructor can explain the curriculum and safety limits. For a competition, the official rulebook matters most because informal gym practice may not match event rules.
Choosing a striking style if you want to learn kicks
If your goal is to learn kicks, choose a class that includes them in its regular instruction and gives you time to practice safely. The right choice depends on whether you want sport competition, general martial arts training, or a broader mix of stand-up and ground skills.
Kickboxing is a straightforward option if you want to combine punches and kicks. Muay Thai adds knees and elbows in many formats, with training that includes close-range work. Taekwondo offers focused kicking practice, especially in sport-oriented classes. Karate varies considerably, so ask the school how much time students spend kicking and what type of sparring they do.
MMA is a fit if you want striking alongside wrestling or submission grappling. However, an MMA class may divide its time across several skill areas. If developing kicks is your immediate priority, ask how often the class practices them rather than assuming they are the main focus.
Before signing up, observe a class if the school permits it. Look for coached technique, controlled partner drills, and clear safety rules. Beginners should learn balance, distance, and how to return to a stable stance before adding speed or power. Those fundamentals make kicking more controlled and reduce the chance of losing balance or colliding with a partner.
Common misconceptions about kicking and striking
“Striking means punches only.”
That is true in the narrow context of boxing, but not as a general definition. In many martial arts, striking includes kicks and may also include knees and elbows. Check the specific rules or curriculum to know what the term means in context.
“If a sport allows kicks, every kick is legal.”
Allowing kicks does not mean allowing every target, position, or variation. Restrictions can apply to the opponent’s position, the area being attacked, or the way the technique is delivered. A legal kick in one ruleset may be a foul in another.
“The sport name tells you all the rules.”
Names are helpful, but organizations and competition formats can use different rulebooks. This is especially relevant when a sport has several styles or when a gym teaches techniques drawn from more than one discipline. Ask for the rules that apply to the specific class, match, or event.
“Kicking harder is the same as kicking better.”
Power is only one part of an effective kick. Balance, timing, control, and the ability to recover your stance matter too. In training, prioritize accurate movement and follow your coach’s guidance on contact intensity. Strong technique helps you avoid unnecessary risk and adapt to the rules you are learning.
Safety basics for practicing kicks
Kicks use balance and coordination, so build them gradually. Start with instruction and light, controlled practice rather than trying to copy full-speed techniques from competition. Use the protective equipment required by your coach or event, and do not assume equipment removes the risk of injury.
Warm up before strenuous practice, work at a pace you can control, and tell your coach if you have pain or feel unsteady. Partner drills should follow clear instructions about targets and contact level. If you are new to training, a qualified instructor can help adjust the drills to your experience and physical ability.
One practical detail people often miss is that the word “striking” may describe a whole training department, not the exact content of a single class. A gym could group boxing, kickboxing, and other stand-up training under that label. Check the class description or ask the instructor which techniques you will actually practice.
Yes, kicking is generally a form of striking, but it is not allowed in every combat sport. Boxing excludes kicks, while sports such as kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA permit them under rules that vary.
Before choosing a class or preparing for a match, ask which ruleset applies and what targets and positions are restricted. That simple check makes the answer to does striking include kicking clear for your specific situation.