(Full speed video)

Round House Kick

Japanese Term:

Mawashigeri (MAH-WAH-SHEE-GEH-RHEE)

Instructions:

Begin by shifting your weight to the standing leg, keeping the knee slightly bent. Then lift the kicking foot from the floor, bending your leg at the knee. The heel should be tucked tightly to the back of the leg, with the foot bent down and all toes pulled back. The knee comes up at the forty five degree angle and then arcs inward toward the front. You should pivot your standing foot to the rear forty-five degree angle, rolling your kicking hip over. When the knee lines up with the front, snap the leg out and back. The target is the stomach. You should try to align the nose, belly button and the back of your kicking knee in a three-point line with the target. Once the snap is completed, place the foot on the floor. This kick utilizes the top of the foot as the kicking surface. Remember to pull toes and foot back. The knee arcs in a circular motion when rising to target level.