How to Perform a Roundhouse Kick in Tae Kwon Do

If an attacker blocks your path, a roundhouse kick to the side will give you a chance to escape. Fast and deceptive, the roundhouse kick is an excellent self-defense technique.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

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1. Face forward with one leg ahead of the other to perform a front-leg roundhouse kick. Bend the forward knee while keeping the back leg straight. Make sure both heels touch the floor. Keep your legs shoulder-width apart (front stance).

2. Keep your fists in front of you to guard your midsection.

3. Lift the front leg and bend the knee 90 degrees, shifting your weight to the rear, supporting leg. Keep your thigh parallel to the floor. Point the toes of your striking foot.

4. Begin to pivot the supporting foot around to the rear as you bend the kicking leg.

5. Twist your hips and snap the leg from the knee as if snapping a whip from the side to a target. Your supporting foot will pivot 180 degrees during the full extension of the kick.

6. Strike the target with the top (instep) of the foot.

7. Bend your striking leg at the knee 90 degrees and return to your original position, your supporting foot pivoting around 180 degrees.

Tips & Warnings

• As you turn, use the power of your hips to add force to your strike.
• Use the top of your foot as a striking surface during practice or competition.
• Use your toe as a striking surface if you are wearing hard shoes in a self-defense situation.
• Practice all techniques from either side, but master one way first.
• If you have any condition that would impair or limit your ability to engage in physical activity, please consult a physician before attempting this activity.

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[Zarko]

on 10/26/2007 I spent 3 years in Michigan doing TKD and we learned the roundhouse with the top of our foot. I then moved to NY and continued my studies, but the class I was in did the roundhouse with the ball of the foot. From my experience you can generate WAY more energy with the first way (top of foot), and have a much less incidence of injury since it's not always easy to pull your toes back and hit with the ball when you're in a clutch situation. Plus when you use the top of your foot, you actually get a little more distance for your strike.

on 1/30/2006 Use a low roundhouse kick in conjunction with aero step.
Fake with a roundhouse kick to the left, then twist hips and throw a round house to low or middle with the right. But do not try to envelop your foe with strikes with both your legs. The interrupted momentum reduces power and drains energy quickly.

on 11/22/2005 If there is one thing you shouldn't do with a roundhouse kick, it's to kick with your toe. You have little support and it's quite easy to break your toe. You will not generate as much power neither. Use the top of your foot or your instep (the bottom of your foot just before the toe starts).

on 11/22/2005 The sudden twisting motion of the roundhouse kick can actually tear your meniscus. I kicked too hard (2 years ago) and had to get arthroscopic knee surgery to remove my damaged meniscus. The roundhouse is a great kick and generates a great load of power, but now I am more reserved when executing such a kick.

on 11/22/2005 Performing a round house kick using the ball of your foot can result in consequences you are not prepared for such as jail time. Where I'm from, using any form of martial arts to cause injury (intentional or not) makes it a 2nd degree felony. It's considered the same as using a deadly weapon with intent to cause serious bodily harm.