A martial art and sport of attack and defense. Kickboxing uses martial-arts-style kicks and western-boxing-style punches to defeat an opponent in a similar way to that of standard boxing. It is a standing sport and does not allow continuation of the fight once a combatant has reached the ground. It is often practised for general fitness, or as a full-contact sport. In the full-contact sport the male boxers are bare-chested wearing kickboxing trousers and protective gear including: mouth-guard, hand-wraps, 10oz boxing gloves, groin-guard, shin-pads, kick-boots, and optional protective helmet (usually for those under 18.)