The round kick: Muay Thai guide

Muay Thai · The Thai base · 10 minute lesson Free

The Thai round kick is thrown with the rear leg and lands with the shin, not the foot. It looks like a swing of the leg, but the power comes from turning the whole body over.

Unlike a snapping kick, you go through the target. The arm swings across too, which pulls the hips round and keeps the kick heavy. Start with the low kick and the body kick. The high kick uses the same movement, just aimed higher.

Key points

• Pivot hard on the ball of the lead foot, turning the heel toward the target.
• Turn the hip over so the kicking leg swings through, not up.
• Swing the same-side arm down and back to add rotation.
• Land with the shin, not the foot or the toes.
• Keep the other hand up to cover your chin.
• Kick through and let the body turn, then reset.

Step by step

1. Start in stance. Tall, hands high. As the kick starts, your weight moves onto the lead foot so the rear leg is free to swing.
2. Pivot the lead foot. Turn the lead heel toward the target and twist the hips with it. The pivot is what makes the kick powerful.
3. Swing the leg through. Let the rear leg whip around in a flat arc. For the low kick it travels to the thigh, for the body kick to the ribs, for the high kick to the neck.
4. Swing the arm. Drop the kicking-side arm down and behind as the leg comes through. The other hand stays at your chin.
5. Land with the shin. Strike with the lower shin, a hand's width above the ankle. Keep the foot and toes pointed.
6. Turn back to stance. Let the momentum bring the leg back down and rebuild your stance. Do not leave your guard behind.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

• Kicking without pivoting the lead foot. Think heel to target. If the lead foot does not turn, the kick is a leg swing with no body behind it.
• Landing with the foot or toes. Aim the shin and keep the foot pointed. Practise on a bag before any contact.
• Lifting the leg up instead of through. Swing across, level with the target. Imagine cutting through a post, not kicking up at it.
• Dropping the free hand. Keep the non-kicking hand glued to your chin. A kick leaves you open to a counter.

Drill: Round kick rounds

4 rounds of 60 seconds, with 30 seconds of rest. Safe to practise alone.

1. Slow low kicks with the rear leg. Feel the lead foot pivot before the leg swings.
2. Body kicks on the caller. Swing the arm and turn the hip over.
3. Mix low and body kicks. Reset your guard after every one.
4. Add the occasional high kick, slow. Keep the same turn, just aimed higher.

Combinations that use it

• kb-low-low: Low kick, Low kick
• kb-1-low: Jab, Low kick
• mt-1-body: Jab, Body kick
• kb-1-2-low: Jab, Cross, Low kick
• kb-1-2-body: Jab, Cross, Body kick
• kb-low-body: Low kick, Body kick

Related techniques

• Jab
• Cross

Train it in the app

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More from The Thai base

• Muay Thai stance: Muay Thai guide
• The teep: Muay Thai guide

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Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.