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A roundhouse kick (also known as Round Kick or Turning kick) is a kick in which the attacker swings his or her leg in a circular motion, striking with the front of the leg or foot. This type of kick is utilized in many different martial arts and is popular in both non-contact and full-contact martial arts competitions. Variations exist for low, medium and high height.
In Popular Culture
Roundhouse kicks were introduced to the West by the spread of Eastern martial arts. Possibly due to the move's combination of motion and power--the attacker spins fully around, which makes for a powerful-looking attack--it became a prerequisite feature in many fighting video games (either as a combination attack or a finishing move) and a common 'finishing move' in martial arts sequences in film and television. The latter case is best exemplified in Texas Ranger, in which the lead character (played by Chuck Norris) almost always defeated the episode's villain with a roundhouse kick, inevitably to the head, shown twice from different angles.
The Walker: Texas Ranger connection is the reason why the roundhouse kick is a common aspect of the "Chuck Norris Facts" internet phenomenon.
In the Japanese tokusatsu series, Kamen Rider Kabuto, the title rider's "rider kick" is a roundhouse kick instead of the usual flying kick.
Tae Kwon Do Method
The taekwondo roundhouse kick is performed by first drawing the knee straight up in a "chamber" position. This chamber, identical to the chamber of many taekwondo kicks (front kick, side kick, axe kick, etc.) is utilized so that the opponent cannot guess which kick will be thrown (this differentiates it from muay thai, karate, and other roundhouse kicks, which tend to incorporate rotation before or during the rising of the knee). The knee is then rotated so that it is nearly parallel to the ground (counter clockwise for the right leg roundhouse) and the kicking hip is simultaniously rotated towards the opponent. The rotation of the hip, combined with the snapping of the leg forward, gives the kick its power. The striking surface is the instep of the foot.
This is also called an "off the line" or "rear leg" roundhouse kick.
A similar kick is the front leg roundhouse, or "fast kick." To begin the front leg roundhouse kick, the leading leg is drawn up vertically, then rotated and snapped towards the opponent in the manner described above. The fast kick version is done by skipping forward with the rear leg, moving the kicker towards the opponent while simultaniously chambering and snapping the front leg roundhouse. The front kick is generally weaker than the rear leg roundhouse because the hip does not rotate as far; however, it is also generally faster because the leg travels a shorter distance before striking the opponent.
Muay Thai Method
There are several traits which give the Muay Thai Roundhouse a very different feel and look. The main methodological difference is that the person delivering the kick will raise up on the ball of his foot while he kicks, mainly to allow for greater pivoting/turning speed, and increased power (this method obviously has it's detractors, as not all martial artists agree that the ball of your foot is where you should be in a roundhouse kick). The practical difference is the objective of the kick. A standard karate or tae kwon do roundhouse kick has you snap your instep at your objective, but a Muay Thai Roundhouse often uses the combined momentum of the snap and your leg's speed to offer a more powerful and fast kick (albeit at the cost of control, in the opinion of some). Because the kick is executed with much more speed/power, the kicking leg will continue all the way around until it reaches it's starting position.
Tang Soo Do Method
Roundhouse kick in the Korean martial art Tang Soo Do is executed using the following method. It is done from front stance, the most common stance in Tang Soo Do. Using your back foot, you lift your foot up in the air to the side of your hip so that your hip is right next to your foot. Then you let your power out using your hip by extending your leg out in a sideways motion. You use the ball of your foot to strike.
A similar but opposite kick is Pete Cha Gi. In English it means reverse roundhouse kick. To do this kick you must turn your hip inside so that it is parallel to your opposite hip. Then let all of your force out by extending your leg out in a sideways manner.
Wado Ryu Method
Wado Ryu was introduced in early Japan as a way to defend without weapons but your body. It is specifically designed for use by women because of the flow and grace used in the arts. When you roundhouse kick, place yourself in a stance as though you're sitting on an airless cloud. Reach your leg out and swiftly turn your body. Extend your foot and kick with the ball of your foot, pushing your opponent to the ground or away.
See also
References
"Roundhouse kick"