THE BREAKDOWN

Maintaining stability and distance is crucial when throwing a roundhouse kick. Similar to the front kick, pivoting your foot enables your hips to swing into your kick. On top of mastering the kicking/pivoting techniques, you must also be aware of potential attacks while you strike. Gabriel speaks to how you can protect yourself mid-kick by raising your hands and leaning further back to give yourself distance.

"One of the challenges in throwing a roundhouse kick is learning to 'skip' off your lead leg." Stutter stepping back to your lead stance extinguishes your vulnerability time and allows you to throw a power kick.

Technique Overview

• Feet should be should width apart
• Just outside of punch range
• Pivot on the ball of your foot
• Strike with the shin
• One arm extends
• Other hand guards your face

About The Series

The Striking Basics series is all about the fundamentals. Gabriel Varga and Hayabusa developed this series to provide value to all fitness combat practitioners. Whether you have aspirations to compete or not, this series is for you. We cover a range of techniques, such as the Jab, Cross, Hook, Breathing, kicks, and more. If you're a coach who wants to inspire students to have a stronger grasp on the fundamentals, consider sharing this series.