Muay Thai can easily be tagged as a deadly martial arts form owing to the predatory and potent roundhouse rick. Despite being a difficult move to execute, it’s capable of knocking the opponent off their balance, coordination, and ring orientation.
Before you get too ambitious, be vary of your posture and defensive stance in case you get blocked. Even more dangerous is when your kick doesn’t produce the desired impact and you leave yourself vulnerable. Provided you put in the correct practice and propel the right muscles of your body, be assured you’ll be harming the opponent more than paving your way to defeat.
In this article, we shall talk about what are Muay Thai roundhouse kicks and a step-by-step movement list to follow for best results.
What Are Muay Thai Roundhouse Kicks?
Muay That roundhouse kicks are based on swinging the body like a baseball bat, in swift motion. While all your weight lays on the sole of your non-attacking feet, the other leg generates tremendous power and smacks the opposing fighter sideways. Remember to leave your ground-positioned leg loose and let the shoulder, torso, and hips initiate the acceleration for your attacking leg.
Leave the balls of your post foot the balance and pivot provider for thrusting your hips in full motion of the direction your kicking.
Though the sport heavily relies on the knees, elbows, and fists, the roundhouse kick can be rightfully labelled as the finisher move.
Bonus Tip: The padded region between the sole and toes, moreover near the toes, is called the ball of the foot.
How To Perform The Muay Thai Roundhouse Kick?
The fighter’s feet need to be at a 45-degree angle and the starting point originates from the balls of the feet. Not to forget, Muay Thai roundhouse kicks can be throw at a lower level, where the opponent will find it hard to dodge and there are more openings, or as a high kick onto the face or head.
Either way, the steps to get into stance, gather the force, and swing your hands and legs remains the same.
Step 1: Step the pivoting foot outwards while kicking
Don’t make the amateur error of aiming for power before balance. You’ll land up stepping in narrowly and exposing yourself to a knockout move.
Directing your pivoting foot away from the opponent reduces the distance between your kicking leg and the hopping opponent. While in this motion, you’ll judge the distance and increase the speed/power of the move automatically.
Bonus Read: These five grip improvement tips will amplify your mixed martial art skills to another level.
Step 2: Use the ball of your foot as support
Once pivoted, thrust your foot upwards and get to a point where you’re balancing only on the ball of the foot. This will enable you to acquire all the force needed for an absolute slammer!
Wondering the why the ball of the foot?
It helps your drive your body into rotation much more powerfully since there’s lower friction against the surface. In short, with some repetition, you’ll witness an increase in power and speed while performing the actual kick in this move.
Step 3: Sync your body flow and kick rhythm
Gathering utter control over your body flow will help maintain a perfect start-to-end rhythm in your kick. However you regulate the rhythm, you’ll unlock the benefit of rapid direction-shifting, timing counters and catching your opponent off guard.
Put in a cumulative effort for the entirety of the roundhouse kick, rather than breaking it into two parts of stance correction and then the kick. If you could synchronize your kicking motion and bodily movement, you’re in a great position to evade your opponent’s blows.
Step 4: Twist the hips sideways and keep one hand available for defence
Hip movement is integral in any Muay Thai move. This martial arts form harnesses the transfer of the entire energy of your body weight to the hips. Once you’re in full flow, expect to land a full-blown roundhouse kick.
Additionally, keep the opposite hand near your face for protection, while the other hand should be directed downwards for added pressure on the kick and also for opening your hips wider.
Step 5: Back to stance
Delaying a return to their original stance is a common error most Muay Thai fighters make. Reacquiring your stance not only helps you land another roundhouse kick quickly, but also prevents you from an instant counterattack.
Keep in mind, not every kick you attempt will showcase the desired effectiveness. You have to be on your toes as fast as you generate the kick. Also, keep your chin hidden behind the shoulder to restrict a mid-air blow to yourself.
Verdict
Considering that Muay Thai functions with a dependency on shin kicks rather than feet kicks, the large shin bone will leave the opponent in a momentary state of haziness.
Bonus Read: Struggling with aching joints after those prolonged Muay Thai kicking sessions? Here’s how to deal with joint pain after a hectic Muay Thai class.