The Process of Learning Sanda Kickboxing: From Clueless to Confident

Introduction

Sanda Kickboxing, a Chinese full contact sport with punches, kicks and throws, will not only challenge your physically but will also challenge your mentally and emotionally, taking you on a journey that will help develop your body, mind and spirit.

In this article we will explore the different stages of competence and what to expect from the process of developing your kickboxing skills from beginner to master.

1. Unconscious Incompetence: The Curious Beginner

Because of the high intensity nature of kickboxing, when a you first encounter the sport it can be an overwhelming mix of, thrill, confusion and sometimes even overconfidence, everyone responds differently.

This is because at the unconscious incompetence stage you don’t know what you don’t know, leading to regularly forgetting fundamental techniques such as keeping your hands up in a guard or jumping to incorrect conclusions such as thinking that fitness is equivalent to fighting skills.

At this stage of the kickboxing journey it is important to embrace the beginners mindset to avoid these common pitfalls and develop faster. Being comfortable with embracing the unknown will speed up your skill acquisition in kickboxing.

"At this stage, most people think they’re worse than they are — or better than they are. Either way, it's humbling."

2. Conscious Incompetence: Reality Check

At this stage of development you have a moment where you realize that you are not as good a thought you were and start to know what you don’t know. At this point people tend to go ‘wow, this is harder than it looks’.

Realizing that there is a gap between what you think you can do and what you can actually do is the point were you actually start to learn as you are aware and open to improvement.

This is were the role of a good coach and constant practice kicks in. Having a can do attitude despite set backs will also help keep you motivated to learn.

"This is where many give up. But it’s also where the most growth happens — if you stay with it."

3. Conscious Competence: The Student in Flow

You now know what you have to do but have to think about it, strategies, tactics and techniques are not automatic.

You will start to noticing improvements to your techniques, you will start landing strikes in sparring, timing will improve and movements will become smoother.

You will still need to think about everything you are doing but you will start to see progress and this will help keep you motivated to continue improving.

"You start hearing your coach's voice in your head mid-fight — and actually following it."

4. Unconscious Competence: The Natural

Your movement is instinctive and your techniques flow. You can spar without overthinking and you start to develop you own personal style and rhythm. Kickboxing starts to become yours and you no longer have to consciously think to perform your techniques to a high standard.

"You no longer think about most techniques— your body just knows."

5. Reflective Competence: The Artist and the Teacher

This is were you start to master the art of Sanda Kickboxing. You not only train it but live it. You become able to adapt under pressure, innovate, and mentor others.

You take your practice and start asking the ‘why’ behind techniques, constantly challenging and adapting your techniques and evolving your style.

"Mastery isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about knowing what matters — and how to pass it on."

Conclusion: Keep Moving Forward

The journey of learning Sanda Kickboxing is just that, a journey. It doesn’t have a fixed destination, and that’s what makes it so powerful. Every experienced fighter, every calm and collected coach, they all started in the same place: as beginners who didn’t quit.

Progress, whether in Sanda or in life, is rarely a straight line. Some days you’ll feel invincible, others like you're starting from scratch. That’s normal. The stages of learning aren’t boxes to tick off, but milestones to guide you and remind you that growth takes time and patience.

So wherever you are, messing up punches in your first class or landing crisp combos in sparring, remember: everyone starts somewhere. The key is to keep moving. Keep showing up. Keep learning. Your future self, faster, sharper, stronger, is already waiting for you on the mats.