| Guildford Kickboxing Club is run under the strict guidance of Denni Kermode. Denni's background is in Traditional Karate (Karate Jutsu Kai is a spin off from Kyokushinkai). Therefore, coming from a very disciplined style of training Denni has continued to run the Kickboxing Clubs in a similar vain, trying to generate strong, determined students who don't give up when the going gets tough.
A lot of work is put into fitness training at the club, however everybody's fitness level is different. There is a very mixed group of students at the club ranging from fit 14yr olds to the more mature 40+ group, not everyone is able to do the same amount of press-ups/sit-ups etc. but everyone is pushed to their own limit.
There is a lot of emphasis on pad work at the Club and once you have an understanding of the basic techniques you will be expected to be hitting the pads 'full contact' to ensure that these techniques would actually work. Some of the more modern kickboxing clubs have taken away the effectiveness of the techniques by concentrating more on the point scoring/sport side of kickboxing, with Guildford Kickboxing you will learn how to use your skills in a realistic situation, not just on the mat.
When you have gained enough experience to start sparring, you will be expected to be able to control your techniques and maintain a light contact style of sparring. Most of our students have work the next day and therefore can't be showing up with injuries every week, so we insist on very controlled partner work. Until you are able to display this level of control you will not be able to spar.
Some students are interested in competition and for these fighters the training is elevated to ensure they are fit to fight, this does not mean that everyone else in the club has to suffer, this training is done on a 1 to 1 basis or at the squad sessions. However, you may find these students have a harder time in the general sessions.
Because of Denni's background in the KJK and many years of squad training with students entering Knockdown Karate, low kicks are used in the training session. However, these are again done with strict control, kicking with the top of the foot (not the shin) to the thigh, low kicks open up a whole new world for people interested in learning Kickboxing.
Two of the assets that Guildford Kickboxing are continually being held in esteem for are their ability to perform good Technique under pressure & always demonstrating good etiquette, even in the most challenging situations.
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