Pad work in KKB style is not just โhit hard.โ Itโs a precision tool to build real fight skills: distance control, timing, target accuracy, clean combos, and sharp reactions. ๐ฅ๐ฏ
This page gives you a full training guide: the best partner drills, pad holder rules, round structures, combo libraries, accuracy tests, and common mistakes โ made for beginners and fighters.
๐ Table of Contents
- 1. What Is KKB Pad Work?
- 2. Why Partner Drills Improve Timing + Accuracy
- 3. Pad Holder Rules (The Secret)
- 4. Fighter Rules (Clean Technique + Balance)
- 5. Distance Drills ๐ค (In-Out, Step, Angle)
- 6. Timing Drills โฑ๏ธ (Call, Freeze, Go)
- 7. Target Accuracy Drills ๐ฏ
- 8. KKB Pad Combos (Beginner โ Advanced)
- 9. Best Round Structures (3, 5, 8 Rounds)
- 10. Common Mistakes (And Fast Fixes)
- 11. Keep Learning (Training Silo Links)
- 12. FAQ
1. What Is KKB Pad Work?
KKB pad work is a partner drill using focus mitts, Thai pads, or kick shields where the pad holder acts like a smart opponent. ๐ค
In real KKB training, pad work should include:
- โ Distance entry (step, teep, jab, angle)
- โ Timing (hit on cue + hit on reaction)
- โ Target accuracy (chin, body, ribs, legs)
- โ Defense after every attack (guard, check, exit)
- โ Balance + recovery (no falling forward)
Opinion: If your pad work doesnโt train distance + timing, itโs cardioโฆ not fighting.
2. Why Partner Drills Improve Timing + Accuracy
Partner drills fix what shadow boxing canโt: real feedback. ๐ง โ
- ๐ฏ You learn to hit the right target, not just โairโ
- โฑ๏ธ You build timing: when to go, when to wait, when to counter
- ๐ You stop reaching (distance becomes natural)
- ๐ก๏ธ You react to pad โattacksโ and return defense
- ๐ฅ You get fight confidence fast
3. Pad Holder Rules (The Secret)
The pad holder controls training quality. If the pads are bad, the fighter learns bad habits.
- Be a target: hold pads at realistic height + angle
- Give distance: donโt stand too close (force footwork)
- Demand balance: if fighter loses stance, reset
- Attack back: simulate counters (tap gloves/pads)
- Call clean: short cues like โjabโ, โkickโ, โexitโ
Pad holder tip: keep your elbows tight, donโt chase punches with your arms. Let the fighter step in correctly.
4. Fighter Rules (Clean Technique + Balance)
- โ Step to range first, then strike (no reaching)
- โ Return to guard instantly (hands come back)
- โ Recover stance after kicks (donโt spin out)
- โ Finish every combo with an exit step (angle or teep)
- โ Breathe: exhale on impact ๐ฎโ๐จ
Simple score system: every round, aim for 80% clean hits and 0 sloppy falls.
5. Distance Drills ๐ค (In-Out, Step, Angle)
Distance Drill 1: Step In โ Hit โ Step Out
Goal: stop reaching and build โin-outโ range control.
- 1) Step in
- 2) Jab โ cross
- 3) Step out + guard high
Round: 2 minutes light speed, perfect form.
Distance Drill 2: Angle Entry
Goal: enter safely without walking straight into counters.
- 1) Small angle step
- 2) Jab
- 3) Cross or hook
- 4) Exit the opposite side
Distance Drill 3: Teep to Range
Goal: control range before boxing.
- Teep โ jab โ cross โ exit
6. Timing Drills โฑ๏ธ (Call, Freeze, Go)
Timing Drill 1: Call & Fire
Pad holder calls โjab!โ โkick!โ โelbow!โ โ fighter reacts instantly. ๐ฅ
Timing Drill 2: Freeze & Go
Pad holder says โfreezeโ mid-combo. Fighter stops in stance (guard up), then โgoโ to continue. This builds control under pressure.
Timing Drill 3: Counter Trigger
Pad holder taps the glove/pad forward (simulated punch) โ fighter slips or blocks โ counters with 2โ3 strikes.
7. Target Accuracy Drills ๐ฏ
Accuracy Drill 1: Small Target Focus
Use one pad as a โsmall targetโ (chin). Fighter must touch it clean โ no smashing.
Accuracy Drill 2: Level Change
- Jab (head)
- Cross (body)
- Hook (head)
- Low kick (leg)
This builds real fight targeting: head โ body โ head โ leg.
Accuracy Drill 3: 10 Clean Hits Test
Timer 30 seconds. Goal: 10 clean hits (no wild swings). If you miss, reset stance and continue.
8. KKB Pad Combos (Beginner โ Advanced)
Beginner Combos โ
- 1) Jab โ Cross โ Exit step
- 2) Jab โ Cross โ Low kick โ Guard
- 3) Teep โ Jab โ Cross โ Angle out
- 4) Jab โ Hook โ Cross โ Exit
Intermediate Combos โก
- 5) Jab โ Cross โ Lead elbow โ Exit
- 6) Jab โ Cross โ Body kick โ Check โ Reset
- 7) Fake jab โ Cross โ Low kick โ Teep exit
- 8) Jab โ Hook โ Knee (step in) โ Step out
Advanced Combos ๐ฅ
- 9) Slip โ Cross โ Hook โ Elbow
- 10) Teep โ Step in โ Elbow โ Knee (clinch entry)
- 11) Angle entry โ Cross โ Body kick โ Exit opposite
Pro tip: Choose 3 combos and repeat them until they feel automatic. Repetition builds killers.
9. Best Round Structures (3, 5, 8 Rounds)
3-Round Quick Session (10โ12 min)
- Round 1: distance drill (step in/out) ๐
- Round 2: combo focus (3 combos only) ๐ฅ
- Round 3: timing drill (call & fire) โฑ๏ธ
5-Round Standard Session (15โ20 min)
- R1: jab-only + footwork
- R2: boxing + exit step
- R3: kicks + recovery balance
- R4: defense trigger โ counter
- R5: power bursts (10s fast / 20s smooth) ๐ฅ
8-Round Fighter Session (Fight Camp) ๐งจ
- 2 rounds distance + entries
- 2 rounds boxing + elbows
- 2 rounds kicks + knees
- 2 rounds timing + counter drills
10. Common Mistakes (And Fast Fixes)
- โ Hitting pads without footwork โ โ step to range first
- โ Wild power shots โ โ 80% clean accuracy, 20% power
- โ No defense after combos โ โ guard back + exit angle
- โ Pad holder too close โ โ create real distance
- โ Doing 20 combos โ โ pick 3โ5 and master them
11. Keep Learning (Training Silo Links) ๐
Use these pages to build your full KKB system and push internal SEO power:
- ๐ฅ Full training hub: Training
- ๐ Technique library: Techniques
- โ Start here: Beginners
- ๐ง Training advice: Training Tips
- ๐ฆถ Range control basics: Day 2 โ Teep + Range Control
- ๐ก๏ธ Defense day: Day 4 โ Defense & Counters
- ๐ฅ Conditioning style: Day 5 โ 10s/20s Intervals
- ๐ฅ Watch sessions: Training Videos
12. FAQ โ
How long should pad work rounds be?
Most athletes use 2โ3 minute rounds with 30โ60 seconds rest. For fight camp, 3 minutes is ideal.
Should beginners do pad work or start with shadow boxing?
Both. Beginners should do shadow boxing first for form, then pad work for feedback. A smart mix is perfect. โ
Is pad work about power or accuracy?
Accuracy first. Power without accuracy creates bad habits. Train clean targets + balance, then add power.
How many times per week should I do partner drills?
For progress: 2โ4 times per week. Even 2 sessions weekly is enough if rounds are focused.
Can I do pads if I donโt have Thai pads?
Yes. You can use focus mitts, kick shields, or even light โtouch pads.โ The key is timing + distance.