Martial Arts: The Roundhouse Kick

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: The Stance

Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and taking a step back with your right foot to a comfortable distance, as if on tram lines. Then turn your feet 30º and bend your knees. Remember to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

This platform will allow you to draw your energy up from the ground. The energy should then flow through your body and be released into your target via the kick.

A strong stance is an absolute must for a good kick as you need to have a stable platform from which to launch it.

Step 3: The Kick

Propel the knee forward by using your toes and heel like a spring. Once the knee points at the target, snap the leg forward from the knee.

You can give the kick power by rotating your hip and your support leg.

Strike the target with the top or bony part of the foot. For strikes to the neck or thigh, you can use the instep with toes pointed down.

Practice your kicks low until you perfect them before you attempt the higher kicks.

Step 4: Breathing

Measured breathing and the exhalation of your energy will improve your kicking technique. Exhale throughout the entire execution of the kick. And make your exhalation strong and powerful, from your abdomen. This is called the ”KI-AI”.

Step 5: Review

The rotation of the hips with the roundhouse kick turns the body toward the attacker. But always try to remain upright and avoid leaning back or to the side.

Keep your guard up as you kick to protect your head against a counter-attack.