MKA kickboxing Coventry

Kickboxing GB – Hot Weather Guidance for Clubs and Coaches

With temperatures across parts of the UK forecast to reach exceptionally high levels this week, including rare Red and Amber Heat Health Alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), all Kickboxing GB clubs are asked to take additional precautions to protect athletes, coaches, officials and spectators.

Combat sports training presents unique challenges during periods of extreme heat due to the combination of physical exertion, protective equipment, crowded training environments and the potential for dehydration.

Key Principles
1. Hydration is Non-Negotiable

All participants should:

Arrive already hydrated.
Bring a clearly labelled water bottle.
Be encouraged to drink before, during and after training.
Take regular hydration breaks throughout the session.
Avoid excessive caffeine and energy drinks before training.

Coaches should schedule water breaks every 15–20 minutes during strenuous activity.

2. Modify Training Intensity

During periods of extreme heat:

Reduce overall training intensity and volume.

Consider:

Shorter sessions.
More frequent rest periods.
Reduced conditioning circuits.
Reduced sparring rounds.
Lower training density.
More technical and tactical work.

UKHSA advises limiting strenuous physical activity during the hottest periods of the day and moving exercise to cooler times where possible.

3. Consider Session Timing

Where possible:

Schedule classes earlier in the morning or later in the evening.
Avoid the hottest part of the day (typically 11am–3pm).
Consider postponing outdoor activities entirely.

Children should not undertake strenuous physical activity during very hot weather.

4. Improve Ventilation

Clubs should:

Open doors and windows where safe.
Use fans to improve airflow.
Keep shutters, blinds or curtains closed during the day if sunlight significantly heats the facility.
Avoid overcrowding training areas.

Remember that many martial arts venues can become substantially hotter than the outside temperature.

5. Adapt Equipment Requirements

Coaches should consider:

Removing unnecessary layers of clothing.
Allowing lighter training attire.
Reducing time spent wearing protective equipment where appropriate.
Increasing rest periods when headguards, body armour or other equipment is required.
6. Monitor Athletes Closely

Pay particular attention to:

Children and young people.
Athletes returning from illness.
Those with asthma or cardiovascular conditions.
Participants taking medication that may affect hydration.
Individuals attempting weight management or weight cutting.

No athlete should be attempting rapid weight loss during extreme heat conditions.

Recognising Heat Illness
Early Signs of Heat Exhaustion
Excessive sweating
Dizziness
Headache
Nausea
Fatigue
Muscle cramps
Weakness
Pale or clammy skin
Immediate Actions
Stop activity immediately.
Move the individual to a cool area.
Remove excess clothing or equipment.
Provide cool fluids if conscious.
Apply cool wet towels or cold packs.
Monitor closely.
Heat Stroke – Medical Emergency

Call 999 immediately if someone:

Becomes confused or disoriented.
Collapses.
Loses consciousness.
Stops sweating despite being extremely hot.
Has a very high body temperature.
Has a seizure.

Heat stroke can develop rapidly and is a life-threatening emergency.

Sparring and Competition Training

Clubs should carefully consider:

Reducing contact intensity.
Reducing sparring volume.
Increasing recovery periods between rounds.
Stopping sessions immediately if multiple athletes show signs of heat stress.

The objective during extreme weather is athlete safety, not fitness gains.

Coach Checklist Before Every Session

✓ Is the venue adequately ventilated?

✓ Do athletes have access to water?

✓ Has training intensity been adjusted?

✓ Have additional rest breaks been built in?

✓ Is a first aider present?

✓ Does everyone know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke?

✓ Is there a plan to stop or modify training if conditions worsen?

Kickboxing GB Position

The welfare of participants must always take priority over planned training activity. Coaches are encouraged to use professional judgement and, where necessary, modify, shorten or cancel sessions if environmental conditions create an unacceptable risk.

No athlete will lose standing within the Kickboxing GB pathway because a coach takes sensible action to protect their health and welfare during periods of extreme heat.

"Train smart, stay hydrated, and put athlete welfare first."

Well done 👏 to everyone who passed their grading, you should all be so proud of yourself. Let’s keep pushing onto the next and improving on them skills. Anyone who wants to do some more sparring or do some competitions please drop us a message.

Great job everyone tonight 🥊👊🏻🥋💥

The Hardest Part Of Running A Martial Arts School

People often see the teaching.

They see the classes.

They see the gradings.

They see the events.

What they don't always see is everything happening behind the scenes.

The planning.

The cleaning.

The maintenance.

The administration.

The safeguarding.

The risk assessments.

The marketing.

The late nights.

The early mornings.

Running a martial arts school isn't just teaching martial arts.

It's running a business while trying to create the best possible experience for every student who walks through the door.

The hardest part isn't teaching.

I love teaching.

The hardest part is making difficult decisions.

Knowing when to change something.

Knowing when to stop something.

Knowing when to invest.

Knowing when to say no.

Because every decision affects real people.

But after all these years, one thing has never changed.

The moment class starts and students walk in, I remember exactly why I do it. 🥋🥊🔥❤️

Some light sparring tonight after some combination work on pads. Well done everyone.