EKA Combat Academy – Sparring & Competition Development at Elemental Kickboxing Leeds

Welcome to the Combat Academy, our all-inclusive training pathway designed to help every member—regardless of experience—develop confidence, skill, and control in sparring.

Whether your goal is personal development, grading preparation, improving sparring ability, or progressing towards Team EKA / Squad training and competitions, the Combat Academy provides everything you need to grow as a martial artist in a supportive, structured environment.

The academy combines the best elements of our previous Fight Club and Squad sessions into one unified programme, offering a clear and progressive route for all members aged 11+.

What to Expect from the Combat Academy

Combat Academy sessions follow a comprehensive training framework to develop the technical, tactical, physical, and mental skills needed for confident sparring.

1. Physical Conditioning

Cardiovascular Training: Build stamina for sparring and competition rounds.

Strength Training: Increase striking power, resilience, and overall robustness through functional strength work.

Flexibility & Mobility: Reduce injury risk, improve agility, and enhance movement quality.

2. Technical Development

Striking: Precision and power in punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. Drills, pad work and combinations designed to improve speed and accuracy

Defence & Countering: Evasions, blocks, parries, footwork escapes, and timing development. Takedown defence and safe close-range control for clinch situations

Footwork & Movement: Learn to create angles, manage distance, and move with purpose. Agility drills and sparring-based movement practice

3. Sparring & Simulation Training

Light Sparring: Controlled, technical practice to develop timing, distance, and adaptability.

Points Sparring (Semi-Contact): Stop-start tactical rounds focusing on speed, clean execution, and strategy—ideal for grading preparation and competitions.

Light-Continuous Sparring: Sustained striking with controlled contact to improve rhythm, pressure, and composure.

Full-Contact Sparring (Optional): For advanced members and competition-focused athletes only—always under strict supervision with full protective equipment.

Mock Competitions: Simulated tournament rounds to prepare you for real competitive environments.

Inter-Club Training: Opportunities to train with other martial arts clubs to broaden experience and test skills against new partners.

4. Mental Skills & Strategy

Visualisation: Build confidence and sharpen focus before sparring or competition.

Composure & Breathing: Stay calm and controlled under pressure.

Tactics & Game Plans: Learn to analyse opponents and develop winning strategies.

Additional resources:

EKA Combat Rules (PDF)

Competition Tips & Preparation Guides (PDF)

5. Combat Academy Features

Mat Layout

Zone A: Points sparring & light-continuous rounds

Zone B: Shadow fighting, movement drills & light-contact practice

Traffic Light System

To establish intensity levels between partners:

Green: Light & technical

Red: More intense (experienced members only)

This ensures clarity, safety, and mutual respect in every round.

Community & Progression

Combat Academy helps:

Build confidence and skill in a controlled, friendly environment

Support students preparing for belt gradings

Introduce members to sparring in a safe, structured way

Develop future Team EKA athletes and competition-ready fighters

Encourage teamwork, reassurance, and camaraderie

Who Can Attend?

Combat Academy is open to all members aged 11+, regardless of experience.

Participants must: Be fully insured. Hold a valid club licence. Use the correct sparring kit that meets club standards

Session Scheduling

Combat Academy training runs fortnightly, Thursdays at 7:30pm. Book in via the club timetable as usual.

Interested in Progressing Towards Team EKA?

If your goal is to compete or join our performance squad, Combat Academy is the perfect pathway.

To express your interest: email info@elemental-fitness.com or speak with Josh at the club.