Proper Roundhouse Kick Technique

The roundhouse kick is an essential technique in any martial arts training that involves kicking. It is halfway between a front kick and a side kick yet completely unique at the same time. The nature of the roundhouse kick allows it to be thrown deceptively so it can sneak between defenses while delivering power from the hip and circular momentum.

Assume a fighting stance. Stand with feet shoulder width apart and one foot a step ahead of the other. Your weight should be evenly distributed between your legs. Keep your hands in front of you with fists clenched. Face your target.

Shift your weight to your front leg while your pivot the foot so that your toes point outward. You should be standing on the ball of your foot. The foot should be parallel to your target. This may feel uncomfortable but you will only be in this position for a fraction of a second.

Bring your body around to follow your pivoted foot. Lead with your hip. Your kicking leg should trail behind. This is important to generate the force of the roundhouse kick. Push your hip forward as you whip your body around in an arc toward your target. Keep your hands up and near your body.

Follow your hip with your trailing leg. As you swing your leg around it should be wound up for the kick by bending your leg. At the last moment kick your foot outward so that the potential energy stored up in your hip, knee, foot and circular momentum are released at once. Your leg should now be fully extended and impacting your target with your body comfortably at a 90 degree angle to your target. Your foot should have followed a sweeping arc from the ground up and around to the target. Strike your target with the instep of your foot or the ball of your foot.

Recover from the roundhouse kick. Do this by either pulling your leg back to the starting position or stepping forward on the kicking leg. If you are perfectly balanced on your plant leg then you can withdraw your foot. If you kicked for power and leaned into the roundhouse kick then you can advance by stepping forward.
Tips & Warnings

* Roundhouse kicks can be done for speed or power. When done for speed they are intended to loosen up an opponent by attacking the sides and the legs. When done for power they are intended to do damage to ribs or the head. Roundhouse kicks can be delivered from a standing position, while walking forward or jumping. It is one of the most versatile kicks in martial arts.