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Muay Thai Roundhouse Thrust Kick
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The roundhouse thrust kick is a fundamental Muay Thai weapon. It derives its power from the momentum gained by twisting the entire body. It uses any part of the leg, from the upper thigh to the foot, as the striking weapon. The central pivoting point the hip, around which the leg and foot is swung towards their ultimate target, which could be the ears, jaw, shoulders, chest, rib cage, abdomen, hips, or legs of the opponent.
The basic stance for the roundhouse thrust kick is with the legs slightly apart, one leg in front of the other. If one is right-handed, then the right leg should be behind the left leg, and functions as the anchor leg. The situation is opposite if one is left-handed. If the roundhouse thrust kick is delivered using the anchor leg, it is a very powerful weapon. The kick begins with the anchor leg being moved around behind the front leg. This twisting creates tension that adds to the power of the kick once the anchor leg is released and spun around the hip towards the opponent.
The front leg can also be used to deliver the roundhouse thrust kick. It is used to disturb one's opponent, teasing him and reducing the momentum of his attack. For this kick, the front leg is used to kick the opponent by the twisting of the front of the foot onto the target. Note that in this action the body is not turned as this will expose the boxer's side, inviting an attack from the opponent.
Because the roundhouse thrust kick relies on the momentum and power created by the quick twist of the body, it is easy for boxers to lose their balance while attempting to deliver the kick. A common way to compensate for this is for a boxer to drop his arm on the kicking side backward in order to stay balanced.
This, however, leaves the body unprotected and open to a counter attack for in addition to the arm being in the rear it will also take more time for the boxer to bring it forward again. To avoid these difficulties, the roundhouse thrust kick should be practiced with both fists held in front to protect the face at all times. You will also be in good position to advance and attack further with your fists should the opportunity present itself.
Practice To train the roundhouse thrust kick on the sand bag, boxers should stand squarely in front of the sand bag and concentrate on the task at hand. If right handed, the boxer should part his legs with the left foot set slightly diagonally to the front and left. Next, turn the waist, hip and the right or anchor leg clockwise. Then, release the leg, turning the waist and hip at the same time. This will create a powerful roundhouse kick that uses the body's momentum to its fullest potential, allowing the back of the foot or the shin to hit the target with tremendous force.
During this action, the left leg has become the main axis of the kick. Standing on the ball of the left foot will improve your balance and also the efficiency of the kick. For left handed boxers, the same procedures are to be followed but in the opposite direction. Practice of this technique is essential as it is a very important Muay Thai weapon. Boxers should practice using both legs regardless of whether they are right or left handed.
Muay Thai roundkick mechanics
The Muay Thai roundhouse kick is swung around "dead-legged" style. In other words, imagine that your leg is a baseball bat. That means that the knee does not exist. Now, to get that leg to swing around and through a target, you have to use your hip to swing it around.
Let's break it down. Pretend that your leg is in a cast from the ankle to just below your hip. Your knee is immobile. You have to swing the kick around like a baseball bat to strike through your target.
First, step at an angle. You lean in the way that you are stepping, which is
coincidentally the opposite direction from your kicking leg. (that is an important item to note, I'm coming back to it in a moment)
As you step, you should already partially rotate your support foot, and you should also be up on the ball of your foot. Do not step flat-footed.
Now that you have taken that step and the kick is beginning to launch (remember, your leg is immobilized and you have to swing it with your hip) you must pivot on your support foot, LEANING AWAY from your kicking leg throughout the entire motion!
The heel of your pivot foot should have turned all the way towards the target during the kick. Or, you can think of it as turning your knee completely away from the target. You should keep your leg semi-stiff throughout the swing of the kick, tensing it up at impact. You should point the toes of your kicking foot during the kick. This tightens up the muscles and tendons in the foot and ankle, which will prevent injury if you catch your target wrong, such as when you misjudge your distance when you kick and catch your target with your toes. Now, lets go back to that "lean away" item again. By leaning away from the kicking leg, you are actually transferring your full upper body weight into the kick. How? Well, I am not a physicist, but this has to do with that law regarding for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. But, rather than discuss physics, just think of it like this. Have you ever swung a baseball bat? Or a golf club? In both cases, as you swing the club or bat, your upper body always swings around opposite of the club or bat. Leaned away from it! Baseball players do not hunch into their swing unless they are bunting. Rather,
they lean back, or away from the bat and try to knock the sucker out of the park!
From the Ebook Muay Thai: The art of fighting
Submitted by Demon
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Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004
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