Alright. You have arrived at the right place at the right time. If you clicked on this article, you likely want to learn to perform the Roundhouse Kick, which is one of the essential kicks in the art of 8-limbs, aka Muay Thai. So let’s what it is and how to perform it on the most basic level.
The Roundhouse Kick in Muay Thai is one of the most iconic and frequently used techniques in the sport. Known as “Teep” in Thai, the Roundhouse Kick involves striking an opponent with the shin or foot in a circular motion, targeting various areas of the body such as the legs, body, or head.
What we’ll do in this article is make it easy for you to start practicing and performing the Roundhouse Kick in Muay Thai, or any other kicking-based martial art you do. How will we do that? Simple.
We’ll break down the steps to performing this kick flawlessly. You would be able to generate tons of force and cause a lot of damage to your opponent if you can follow through with the steps in this article. Let me explain myself.
In the first part of the article, we’ll review the most basic steps to performing the Roundhouse Kick. If you can break down the steps while starting slowly, you’ll soon amp up the speed and generate so much more force with your Roundhouse. The second part will be about combinations and the third about variations. You can follow the links to skip to them.
So let’s dive into the first part of the article!
How to Roundhouse Kick (Muay Thai)
Alright. We now got into the most important part of this article. If there was one part I could force you to pay attention to, this would be it. I want you to pay as much attention as possible and that will ensure you’ll be capable of throwing a MEAN Roundhouse Kick after you finish reading.
But indeed, there’ll be no progression whatsoever without proper training. You’ll have to sweat a lot to learn and hone your execution. This holds truth especially with kicks, as they’re not intuitive strikes, especially compared to punches, which are far easier to learn.
By the way, I have another article on the best types of punches you want to learn in Muay Thai. I encourage you to read it if you desire to become a better fighter.
So what will this part of the article be about? What we’ll do is break the Roundhouse Kick down into 5-primary steps. And if you follow through with them, you’ll be able to start generating so much more force with your kicks.
Let’s dive into the first step!
#1 – Stance
The first step of throwing a proper Roundhouse Kick in Muay Thai is how you stand. Indeed, your fighting stance influences the amount of force and the speed at which you execute the kick. Both are extremely important to throw a fierce and effective kick.
Start in a balanced Muay Thai stance with your feet shoulder-width apart. Your lead foot should be slightly turned outward, and your hands up, guarding your face.
I wrote an entire article that explains how to perfect your Muay Thai fighting stance. If you want to do so yourself, all you need to do is follow the link!
Once you have your fighting stance down and you’re confident in how you stand, let’s move on to the next step.
#2 – Chamber
The second step will be to chamber your leg. I’m using this word because it’s the same as loading a bullet into the chamber of a gun. This step is necessary to generate tons of force with your Roundhouse.
Now, lift your rear leg, bending your knee and turning your hip outward, while keeping your guard up. This position is called the chamber.
You must lift your rear leg and bend your knee if you want to generate a substantial amount of force. It’ll be more than difficult to throw this kick without breaking the steps down.
When you’re in front of the heavy bag, I want you to break the steps down. First, start in a solid fighting stance; please don’t skip this step, as it’ll serve you for the rest of your fighting career, even if you transition into another martial art.
Then, focus on lifting your leg BEFORE you extend your leg. There’s also another step before the extension, which we’ll cover now.
#3 – Pivot
Before you commence the 3rd step, I want you to ensure you have raised your knee. Now that you have, you can rotate your hip and pivot your other foot (lead foot.)
Rotate your hip and pivot on your lead foot, turning your body to the side while bringing your kicking leg across the front of your body.
In my research for this article, I found an awesome instructional that can help you understand what the pivot of the foot looks like. Furthermore, you also want to raise your calf, as if you’re trying to get as tall as possible. This will help you generate more force.
Here’s the instructional!
#4 – Extension
The next step is to extend your leg in a whipping motion. But remember – the extension and contact-making only come after you’ve generated force by raising your knee and pivoting.
Extend your leg outward in a whipping motion, driving your shin or foot toward the target. Aim to strike with the lower part of the shin, as it provides a stronger impact surface compared to the foot.
The shin is the most painful part you can hit with. We particularly see it when we throw a Low Kick, which is one of the best kicks in Muay Thai.
#5 – Recall and Defense
After making contact with the target, quickly retract your leg back to the starting position, regaining your balance.
I’ll go as far as saying that this is the primary mistake Muay Thai fighters make when throwing the Roundhouse Kick. Your opponent is more than likely to counter your kick if you haven’t done the best job in your execution, especially in this step.
You MUST keep your defense game at its top if you’re interested in not being vulnerable after throwing your sweet Roundhouse. That’s why you want to practice retracting your kicking leg back to its starting position, which is your fighting stance.
If you don’t, you’ll be extremely vulnerable to counters and attacks from your opponent, which is what we want to avoid.
You now know how to throw a fierce Roundhouse Kick. Let’s dive into the second part of this complete guide, which is going to be about combinations!
Roundhouse Kick Combinations in Muay Thai
Learning to combine techniques in Muay Thai is extremely important to boost your fighting skills. Not only will you be able to cause more damage, but you’ll do so much quicker while being less vulnerable.
Today I sparred with someone who can throw a powerful punch and I’ve noticed what made him stop attacking. It was actually the last thing I expected to make him more defensive than offensive. That thing is combinations. I threw tons of combinations at his face and he had such a difficult time attacking.
Indeed, sometimes, the best defense is more offense.
Numerous effective combinations in Muay Thai incorporate the Roundhouse Kick. Here are a few examples:
- Jab – Cross – Roundhouse Kick:
- Start with a quick jab (lead hand) followed by a powerful cross (rear hand) to set up your opponent.
- Immediately after the cross, pivot and throw a Roundhouse Kick with your rear leg, aiming for the body or head.
- Teep – Hook – Roundhouse Kick:
- Begin with a teep (push kick) using your lead leg, aiming to create distance and disrupt your opponent’s balance.
- As your opponent recovers from the teep, throw a hook (rear hand) to the head or body.
- Without putting your rear foot down, pivot and deliver a Roundhouse Kick with your rear leg, targeting the legs or body.
- Cross – Hook – Roundhouse Kick:
- Start with a powerful cross (rear hand) to the head or body to create an opening.
- Immediately follow up with a hook (lead hand) to the head or body.
- Finish the combination by pivoting and executing a Roundhouse Kick with your lead or rear leg, focusing on the legs or body.
- Lead Hook – Cross – Lead Roundhouse Kick:
- Begin with a lead hook to the head or body, aiming to get your opponent to cover up or react defensively.
- Quickly follow up with a cross (rear hand) to capitalize on the opening created by the lead hook.
- Without putting your lead foot down, pivot and throw a Roundhouse Kick with your lead leg, targeting the legs, body, or head.
- Parry – Cross – Roundhouse Kick:
- Use a parry technique to deflect or redirect your opponent’s incoming strike, opening up an opportunity to counter.
- After parrying, immediately counter with a cross (rear hand) to the head or body.
- Capitalize on the momentum of the cross by pivoting and delivering a Roundhouse Kick with your rear leg to the legs, body, or head.
Roundhouse Kick Variations
Learning about more ways to throw a certain technique will highly benefit your fighting skills. Not only will you become a much more versatile attacker, but you’ll also be capable of intimidating and attacking your opponent in many ways.
This is why learning variations of the Roundhouse Kick will make you a more capable fighter when using it.
There are several variations of the Roundhouse Kick in Muay Thai that can add versatility and unpredictability to your striking arsenal. Here are some of the best Roundhouse Kick variations:
- Lead Roundhouse Kick (Teep Roundhouse Kick): This variation involves using your lead leg to execute the Roundhouse Kick. It offers speed and precision, and can be used as a quick counter or to maintain distance. It’s commonly aimed at the legs or body of your opponent.
- Rear Roundhouse Kick: The traditional Roundhouse Kick is typically executed with the rear leg. It provides more power and can be targeted to various areas such as the legs, body, or head. This kick allows you to generate more force through the rotation of your hips and shoulders.
- Switch Roundhouse Kick: The switch Roundhouse Kick involves switching your stance quickly to generate power from your rear leg. Start in your orthodox (regular) stance, then switch your lead foot with your rear foot, allowing your rear leg to become the new lead leg. This kick can be used as a surprise attack or to change angles against your opponent.
- Step-Up Roundhouse Kick: In this variation, you take a step forward with your lead foot, bridging the distance between you and your opponent. As you step forward, quickly rotate your hips and throw a Roundhouse Kick with your rear leg. This technique is useful for closing the gap and generating power from a close range.
- Spinning Back Roundhouse Kick: The spinning back Roundhouse Kick is an advanced technique that involves spinning your body 180 degrees before executing the Roundhouse Kick. Start by pivoting on your lead foot and rotating your body, then extend your rear leg into the kick. This technique can catch your opponent off guard and is often targeted toward the head or body.
- Jumping Roundhouse Kick: The jumping Roundhouse Kick is an acrobatic variation that involves jumping into the air and executing the Roundhouse Kick. It requires explosive power and timing. This kick can surprise your opponent and can be effective for targeting the head or body.
Bonus Section: Roundhouse Kick Tips (For More Power)
- Stance and Footwork:
- Start with a stable and balanced stance, with your lead foot pointing slightly outward.
- Pivot on the ball of your rear foot, rotating your hips and shoulders toward your target.
- Keep your supporting foot firmly planted on the ground for balance and power.
- Hip Rotation and Torque:
- Generate power by rotating your hips explosively as you kick. The power in the Roundhouse Kick comes from the torque generated in the hips.
- Turn your lead shoulder inward and slightly dip your lead hip down to generate additional power.
- Chambering:
- Begin the kick by lifting your knee on the kicking side, driving it upward and across your body, toward your target. This is called chambering.
- The higher you can chamber your knee, the more power and speed you can generate in the kick.
- Leg Extension and Snap:
- As you extend your leg, aim to hit your target with the lower part of your shin (shinbone), just above your foot.
- Fully extend your leg at the last moment while simultaneously turning your hip over.
- Keep your toes flexed upward to ensure a strong impact with the shin, rather than hitting with the foot or toes.
- Maintain Balance:
- Focus on maintaining good balance throughout the kick. Avoid leaning too far back or forward, as it can compromise your stability and recovery.
- Keep your guard up and core engaged to help maintain balance and protect yourself.
- Practice and Conditioning:
- Regularly practice your Roundhouse Kick on both sides to develop symmetry and balance.
- Work on improving your overall flexibility, especially in your hips, hamstrings, and hip flexors, to enhance the height and speed of your kick.
- Speed and Timing:
- Speed is crucial in delivering an effective Roundhouse Kick. Practice quickening the entire motion, from chambering to extension, without sacrificing power or balance.
- Develop your timing by practicing with a partner or on a heavy bag, focusing on hitting the target accurately and efficiently.
Final Words
This article has been so much fun to research and write. I always love learning more about the martial arts I’m currently practicing by doing this external work.
Hopefully, you found this complete guide helpful, and I encourage you to check out more of my work (which you can do by clicking one of the links below or visiting the home page.)
Anyways, your last step is to implement everything you’ve learned in this article. Without going to the gym and sweating like crazy, you won’t be able to see any notable results.
The Low KIck in Muay Thai is one of the most influential ones. However, there are many more you want to learn that’ll help you become a much better fighter. Read more about the best Muay Thai kicks that you must know to call yourself a Muay Thai fighter by following the link.
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