Partner Kick Pad Holding Drill | Friends

Quick Intro

Partner Kick Pad Holding Drill is the standard way martial artists train kicks with a partner. The holding partner braces a kick shield or Thai pad against the body and calls a target, such as “low right” or “body left”. The striking partner throws the called roundhouse kick into the pad with real technique and controlled power. The holder resets the pad between kicks. At the end of each round, the holder becomes the kicker.

How to throw a roundhouse kick is covered at Roundhouse Kick Drill. This guide is mostly about the holder, since a well-held pad is what makes the drill safe and useful.

What You’ll Need

A kick shield or a pair of Thai pads.
A clear space, ideally matted, with enough room for the kicker to step in and out.

How It Works

The holder stands in a stable stance, feet about shoulder-width apart, one slightly ahead, knees bent.
They hold the pad firmly against the side of the body at the target height, forearms inside the straps, elbows tucked behind the pad.
The kicker takes a fighting stance just beyond kicking distance.
The holder calls a target: for example “body right” or “low left”.
The kicker steps in and throws the kick into the centre of the pad, then returns to stance.
The holder resets the pad for the next call. After an agreed round, usually one to two minutes, swap roles.

Holding the Pad

Brace, do not reach. Keep the pad tight against your body, with your arms behind it. A pad held out at arm’s length lets the kick fold your arms back into you.

Meet the kick. Lean very slightly into the pad as the kick lands. Absorbing the kick with a firm stance is safer for you and gives the kicker a solid target.

Pad covers the target. For a body kick, hold the pad against the ribs on the called side. For a low kick, lower it to the outside of the thigh, bending the knees to get it there. Never hold a pad over the knee joint itself.

Clear calls. Call the target before the kicker moves, never mid-kick. Keep the calls simple to start.

Signal the power. Agree how hard the kicks will be before each round. Raise it only when holding feels comfortable.

How the helping role works in partner training generally is discussed in Training With a Friend.

What the Partner Changes

Kicking the air teaches the shape of the kick. Kicking a bag teaches impact, and the bag never moves or calls targets. A partner with a pad gives a real target at a real distance, calls changes that the kicker has to respond to and gives feedback on every kick through the sound and feel of the pad. That is why pad work is a staple in martial arts gyms.

How Many

Rounds of one to two minutes, with a call every few seconds. Two or three rounds each, swapping after every round.

Building Up Power

Light, with focus on hitting the centre of the pad.
Medium, once both partners are comfortable.
Hard, only with an experienced holder, proper pad technique and clear agreement before the round.

Staying Safe

A braced, stable holder. A wobbly stance under a hard kick is how holders get hurt.
Start light every session, even with an experienced pair.
No kicks to unpadded areas. If the pad is not in place, the kicker holds back.
Stop for any pain in the holder’s arms or ribs, or in the kicker’s shin or foot.

Common Mistakes

Holding the pad away from the body. Keep it tight.
Calling mid-kick. Call first, then the kick.
Kicking harder than agreed. Stick to the agreed power.
Holder turning away. Face the kick and brace into it.

Fitting It Into a Session

Use it after a warm-up and shadow kicking. It makes a strong centrepiece for a striking session.

Roundhouse Kick Drill is the solo kick.
Partner-Resisted Punch Drill trains punches with a band.
Mitts Combination Drill is the same idea for punches, with focus mitts.

FAQ

Kick shield or Thai pads?

A kick shield is easier for a beginner to hold and absorbs more. Thai pads are smaller and need more holding skill.

Can a beginner hold pads?

Yes, at light power. Holding is a skill in its own right, so start light and build up.

Should we wear shin guards?

They help, especially for newer kickers or when kicking hard.