Kickboxing or Muay Thai

The are many kinds of kickboxing (Thai boxing, full contact rules, K-1 rules, etc.). A lot of folk get caught up in this is better than that. I like them all. In my case, I started out with American Kickboxing (Full Contact Rules). It is boxing with kick kicks. All kicks are above the waist and foot sweeps (below the calf) are allowed. It follows boxing rules in that holding is not allowed. The great thing about this style is that you have to learn to box, as your kicks work off of your hand techniques. As I got into Muay Thai, I got experience with low kicks, clinch, etc. Kickboxing and Muay Thai are done at different rhythms. In Muay Thai the kick are knee are valued more than the hand techniques. Because of the clinch, there won't be the same type of combinations seen in kickboxing. In looking at other kickboxing styles the rules will determine what techniques stand out more. In Sanshou, fighters can throw opponents and there is a lot of leg grabs for the sweeps and throws. So, instead of a lot of roundhouse kicks, fights throw a lot of side kicks. So, when you hear others criticize a style of kickboxing, remember that things look different from the outside and that nothing is really better.