Executing a Round Kick

The Mawashi Geri, also known as the round kick is both deadly and beautiful. Landing a round kick will have adverse effects on any opponent, and it is one of the four basic kicks you learn when you start. It may take a little time to practice the kick with good technique, but it's worth it in the long run. The mawashi geri is particularly useful in combination with other strikes.

To do the Mawashi Geri, set yourself up in a standard fighting stance. Take the right knee and lift it to your side until your thigh is parallel to the ground. Hold the lower part of your leg up as well so that it is level with your thigh. The leg is bent so that the foot is behind the knee when looking at it from a front angle. Keep your leg up to the end, and swing the knee forward. When it reaches its target, swing the leg outward toward the part of your opponent's body you're targeting. When giving the kick, you will find that you need to rotate the body. To do this, rotate on the ball of the foot of your support foot and rotate your hips at the same time. The more one turns, the greater the height of the kick. However, you will also leave yourself open more to attacks.

Now, just as the front kick, the round kick should never be delivered with the toes. The ball of your foot provides the most powerful shots, so when you kick your leg toward your goal, curl your toes up and deliver the blow with the ball of your foot. When you hit your target, pull back your leg as fast as you can. Keeping your leg outstretched too long allows it to be easily grabbed if your opponent recovers quickly. While kicking, most people like to keep their hands in a guarded position, allowing them to block if your opponent decides to attack the groin, and it creates stability.

To get more comfortable when kicking, work on your flexibility. Flexible legs allow for a wider range of round kicks. The Mawashi Geri should also not be used at the beginning of a fight, because many people do not have the quickness to land a kick before the opponent can make a move. Therefore, it is good to pair the Mawashi Geri with other strikes. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Keep the leg elevated at all times. Dropping the leg hampers your technique and may make your round kick appear more like a front kick.

2. Do not swing your lower leg out to kick too soon, as this will make you lose power when it comes time to strike.

3. Keep your arms in a protected position. This will help protect you and maintain your balance.