Q&A for How to Do a Roundhouse Kick

A flying kick means that usually there is a running forward motion and then a jump. So, you're going to run or take 3 steps forward and launch off of your back leg to execute the kick.

A double roundhouse kick is done exactly the same way as a regular roundhouse kick—you just don't put your foot down after the initial kick. Most of the time people do double roundhouse kicks in two different target areas. So, you might want to do one to the body and then execute a kick to the head. If you're starting with your back leg, you're going to pivot the base foot, point your knee toward the target, execute the first kick, retract the foot back to the hamstring, and then execute the second kick.

A roundhouse kick is one of the easier ones to block! Let's say you're being attacked to the left side of your body with a right-legged kick—all you have to do is lift your front arm up at a 90-degree angle and that's going to stop the angle of the attack.

Yes, it could break their ribs, as you are delivering force from your whole body into the kick.

You are probably pivoting too fast for your kicking leg, or shadowboxing wrong. The front foot (in Muay Thai) should be grounded before you swing your leg, and should pivot while you're hitting. When shadowboxing (without the bag), it is important to kick and then continue around until you've done a 180. That way you learn to build up speed and stop slipping over at the same time.

You should always be kicking with the middle part of your shin, because if you hit with your foot, your ankle may give out.

Use your shin because your shinbone is much stronger than ribs. You also generate a lot of force and power from your legs.

The stretch I find most useful are hurdles. When doing a hurdle to help with your roundhouse pull your knee behind you and bring your head as close as you can to your knee.

You have got to spin more before you do the kick to get momentum. Pivot on both feet as fast as you can, and swing your leg up and do the kick. Don't hesitate or you will lose all the momentum you gained.

When kicking in MMA, it is best to preform a kick where your shin takes most of the contact with your opponent. Not only does this hurt less with the shin, but it will cause more damage to your opponent. However, if you plan to perform a front kick or side kick, then use your heels and balls of your feet.

It is possible to learn to do a roundhouse kick on your own. However, you might self-teach the technique incorrectly and you could get hurt doing the technique incorrectly.

Aim for the side of the body, just below the rib cage where nothing is protected by bone. This will do a ton of damage if hit right and may even end a fight. If you can hit hard enough, you can also try to hit the forearm and bring that arm out of the fight.

Maybe, if you are good enough, but that would probably break your toe and knock out the person you are doing it on, if not doing serious brain/skull damage.