The Mawashi Geri, also known as the Round Kick, is both deadly and beautiful. Landing a round kick properly will have damaging effects on any opponent and it is one of the four basic kicks everyone learns when they first start out. It may take some time to practice the proper technique of the kick, but it’s worth it in the end. The round kick is especially useful in combination with other strikes.
To perform the Mawashi Geri, start out in a traditional fighting stance. Take your right knee and lift it out to your side until your upper leg is parallel with the ground. Keep your lower leg raised so that it is on the same level. Your leg should be bent such that your foot is hidden behind your knee from a front angle. Keeping your leg raised all the way through, swing your knee forward. As it reaches its target, swing your lower leg outwards toward the target. As you deliver the kick, you will find that you have to rotate your body. To do this, rotate on the ball of the foot of your support leg and rotate your hips at the same time. The more you rotate, the higher you will be able to kick, and the more open you leave yourself for an attack.
Now, just like the front kick, the round kick should not be delivered with your toes. The ball of your foot delivers the most powerful kick, so as you kick your leg towards your target, curl your toes upward and deliver the kick with this part of your foot. When you strike your target, pull back as quickly as you can. A lingering foot can easily be grabbed if your opponent recovers quick enough. While kicking, most like to keep their hands in a guarded position, which helps them block in case your opponent decides to attack your groin area, and to provide stability.
To become more comfortable with the kick, work on your flexibility. The more flexible your legs, the greater the range of your round kick. The round kick is also not meant to start off a fight, as many people lack the quickness to land the kick before the opponent can make a move. This is why it’s good to couple the Mawashi Geri with other strikes. Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Keep your leg raised at all times. Dropping your leg throws off your technique and can make it seem more like a front kick.
2. Don’t swing your foot out too early, as this will cause you to lose power when the time comes to deliver the kick.
3. Keep your arms in a guarded position. This will help protect you and keep your balance.