Also called Round kick, Body kick, Mawashi geri, Dollyo chagi, Fouetté
The roundhouse kick swings the leg in an arc into the opponent's side, powered by turning the standing foot and the hips over. Muay Thai lands it with the shin; karate and taekwondo snap the instep or ball of the foot, and savate's fouetté hits with the toe of the shoe. To the body, it is stand-up fighting's workhorse kick.
Satori's coaches are filming every technique, full speed and slow motion from two angles. Until it's up, the diagram shows the movement step by step.
How to do it
- 1Step the lead foot out at a slight angle to open your hips.
- 2Rise onto the ball of the standing foot and pivot so its heel turns toward the target.
- 3Lift the knee and turn the hips over so the leg travels sideways into the target.
- 4Strike through with the lower shin, or the instep in karate and taekwondo, while one hand guards your face.
- 5Bring the leg back to stance, or let a missed kick swing through and turn back to face them.
- Kicking without pivoting the standing foot, which strains the knee and robs power.
- Dropping both hands as the leg swings.
- Kicking from too close, so the knee or thigh lands instead of the shin or foot.
Safety: Kick pads, not partners, until your coach clears you, and build shin conditioning gradually instead of kicking hard objects.
Drills
Your partner holds a Thai pad on their side at rib height; throw ten rear roundhouse kicks per side, resetting to guard after each, then add a jab before every kick.
Legends known for it
2002–2016
1966–1983
1985–2004
2002–now
We teach it in Striking. A coach will fix the details you can't see yourself. Join now and book your first class for $20, paid online.
Related techniques
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