Whether you are looking to learn martial arts for defense purposes, for personal development, or just to imitate Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee, you should learn the spin kick, also known by the traditional name of mawashi geri. While it seems easy when martial arts experts do it, it actually takes a lot of practice to perfect the movements, especially if you plan on using special techniques to kick. Be patient and spend a lot of time practicing. Soon you will be able to kick high like a real kung-fu master.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Perform a Simple Round Kick
Step 1. Synchronize your breath with the kick
Breath control is important in any form of exercise, but in wrestling it is essential because you must be able to move, dodge, block and kick as quickly as possible, without compromising your ability to breathe or run the risk of being put to stress. rug. Take deep, steady breaths when your opponent is out of your reach. Inhale as you prepare to kick, then exhale forcefully or articulate a sound (grunt, scream, etc.) each time you kick or receive a blow. Check your breathing as you struggle - if you feel low on energy, back off and take deep breaths to regain focus and stamina.
Paying attention to breathing is not only helpful in improving attention and endurance: in fact, there is scientific evidence to suggest that exhaling or making sounds during physical exertion (such as football) can allow people to exert more force
Step 2. Be on your guard
In karate and many other types of martial arts, the "guard" is the basic fighting position that is adopted between attack and defense against the opponent. The guard allows you to strike quickly and powerfully, but also to react to attacks, so it's the ideal starting position before making a round kick.
- If you are right handed, to warn yourself, first take a long step forward with your left leg, letting your right foot, pointed sideways, act as a natural pivot. Close your hands into fists and raise them to bend both elbows and raise your forearms slightly. The left fist should be higher and further forward than the right one, which should be close to the waist.
- If you are left handed, follow the above directions in reverse: step forward with your right foot, step back with your left foot, and so on.
Step 3. Keep arms raised in attack position, ready to strike and block the opponent
If you practice rolling kicks on your own, take your time to carefully execute the movements. In this case, you are not involved in a real fight, in which, if you momentarily let go of your guard, you risk giving the opponent the opportunity to hit you. Even if you don't train with someone, get into the habit of keeping your hands up and kicking right after. When in a match you really need to use these movements, keeping your hands raised, you will be less vulnerable to adverse attacks and will be able to respond much more effectively to blows.
Step 4. Raise your leg to the side
When you lift your back leg to kick, bend it so that the back of your calf almost touches your thigh. Bring the bent leg up, directing the knee to the side. You will probably need to lean your torso in the opposite direction to maintain balance. At this point, the leg muscles will be contracted and the lower body will be ready to deliver a quick, dry kick.
If you've never landed a round kick, it can be difficult to balance on one foot with the other leg raised to the side. Fortunately, you have a number of simple exercises to improve your balance, which you can introduce into your daily routine, for example while standing in line at the supermarket checkout
Step 5. Throw the leg forward, pivoting on the other foot
Pivot on the foot that remains on the ground, turning your body so that the kicking leg goes towards the target. Therefore, spread it out with a sudden, yet fluid motion, "throwing" it forward. You should touch the target before the leg is fully extended. In other words, to deploy maximum power, the knee must still be a little bent when the leg hits the opponent.
Try hitting with the top of the foot, the forefoot, or the neck. Alternatively, you can use the tibia. It can be particularly devastating for the opponent, but also very painful for the attacker
Step 6. Retract the leg and return to the guard position
When you make contact with the opponent, push him. Make the leg unleash all its power, penetrating a few centimeters into the opponent's body. Quickly withdraw it, flexing it again. At this point, you can either deliver a second kick or put your leg back on the floor.
The shorter the contact of the foot or leg with the opponent's body, the better. Fast, "snappy" kicks transmit energy so strong that the impact will be painful for the recipient, while slower kicks partially use their energy to push the target, so they are less damaging
Step 7. Try to use alternative techniques to throw the kick
The simple spin kick, described above, is ideal for beginners, but it is only one of the many possible variations of this movement. To increase your agility during a match, try learning more. Once learned, these particular movement techniques can increase the speed or power of the blow and, consequently, give you some advantage in a very close fight. Read the following steps for more detailed explanations of each guard technique.
- Use the "side kick" technique for a quick and direct attack. In a match between experienced martial artists, speed can be an extremely important factor in victory. This position can help you release (and recover) the kick more quickly as you advance over your opponent, allowing you to set the pace of the fight.
- Use the muay thai technique to increase power and strength. Sudden and powerful blows can be decisive in a match. In situations where lightning fast, strong kicks are required, it may be a wise choice to use this method as it increases its power.
- Use the boxing guard stance to protect yourself. The karate-inspired martial arts guard postures described above offer stable support for delivering and blocking strikes, but in street fights, hand fights, and in circumstances where self-defense is required, it can be difficult to use to stop a barrage of punches directed towards the head or body. In these cases, the typical guard position of the boxer can be the most practical solution to defend yourself.
Method 2 of 4: Using the Side Kick Technique
Step 1. Raise the leg in front of you
The main difference between a simple roundabout kick and a side kick is that the latter is performed in front of the target, rather than from the side. Starting in the basic guard stance, raise your back leg in front of you (not to the side, as you would for a normal roll kick), simultaneously bending the knee.
Step 2. Turn the leg so that it is parallel to the floor
Before doing the side kick, the leg should be parallel to the floor. In other words, the inside of the leg should be facing the floor and the knee should point directly to the side. Therefore, you will have to make individual movements at once. Even if it sounds complicated, with practice this kick will feel quick and natural. Follow these maneuvers:
- Pivot on the foot on the ground to turn the body so that the bent leg, ready to kick, is in line with the target.
- Tilt your torso, aligning it with the kicking leg, to keep it elevated while maintaining balance.
- Use your hip muscles to lift the kicking leg. Basically, the latter should be parallel (or as parallel as possible) to the floor before landing the kick: the force of the side kick consists of a short, direct impact.
Step 3. Quickly throw your leg forward
In one smooth but sudden movement, straighten your leg as quickly as possible, touching the target with the outer bottom of the foot. To increase the strength of the kick, the ideal would be for the torso and kicking leg to form a straight line with the target, roughly parallel to the floor. Therefore, you will need to keep your leg elevated, tilt your torso and roll onto your hips to kick.
As you make the kicking motion, keep pivoting on the foot on the ground. The full side kick requires a rotation of approximately 180 °. Initially, you will have to direct your foot towards your target and, finally, the moment you touch it to take the kick, you will have to point it in the opposite direction
Step 4. Retract the leg as quickly as possible
When you feel contact with the opponent's body, immediately withdraw your foot (as you would with a normal roll kick) to increase the force of the blow. Return to a standing position, pivoting on the foot on the ground and bringing the kicking leg back to the floor (or, alternatively, do more kicks).
The side kick is not only fast and powerful, it is also usable against a wide range of targets. Depending on how far you can lift your leg, you have the option of hitting the opponent anywhere, from the legs to the groin or in the face. Flexibility in the hip is essential to get the leg high enough to hit the top of the target. If you can't get a side kick above your opponent's waist, try to improve your hip flexibility by following a suitable workout
Method 3 of 4: Perform a Mauy Thai Round Kick
Step 1. Get into the basic guard position of the spinning kick
To perform this powerful twist kick variation, you need to use a different stance than you would use for a normal kick. Step forward with your non-kicking foot, then turn your body so that the foot span is approximately shoulder width apart. Direct your back toes sideways. Stand with your weight on your toes and clenched fists in front of your chest or chin.
To give a muay thai kick, try to balance your weight on your back foot instead of your front foot. This way, you will have more stability when you react to your opponent's movements and at the same time try to prepare for football. When it's time to pull it, transfer your weight to the other foot to gain power
Step 2. Pivot your front foot as you turn your back leg and bring it forward
To start the kick, rotate on the front forefoot, turning the toes outward and the heel in the direction of the opponent. In the meantime, lift your leg and, with a smooth motion, curve it in an arc around your body, flexing the knee. Try to raise it at least up to the opponent's waist: when you start kicking, the knee should point towards or near the central part of the opponent's body.
At the end of the rotation, the side of the kicking leg should be directly above the side of the stationary leg. Most of the power and stability of the kick depends on this hip movement, which acts as a solid pillar of support
Step 3. Balance your arm to gain power as you kick
Extend your leg forward, as usual, trying to find a point of contact with the opponent just before or at the precise moment when you fully extend it. Therefore, increase the power and speed of the blow by throwing the arm to the side of the kicking foot and synchronizing it with the kick.
Please note that this movement makes you a little more vulnerable to counterattack, as the moving arm is unable to block an opponent's offensive, so be sure to keep your other hand raised to protect your head and face during this movement
Step 4. Find contact with the opponent
Try to touch the opponent's torso or head with the shin or instep. Try to hit him like a baseball bat, coming from the side (evading his guard position) rather than frontally. After the impact, withdraw the leg as quickly as possible to increase the impact force (just like you would do in the methods described above).
As already noted, try to give more kicks or return to the starting position, pivoting on the foot that is on the ground. Regardless of what you choose, be sure to retract the striking arm as quickly as possible and return it to its guard position, to protect yourself from a counterattack
Method 4 of 4: Perform the Boxer Guard Stance Kick
Step 1. Keep light on your feet
As Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest boxers of all time, said: "Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee". For boxers, agility of movement is essential to react to the opponent's moves, dodge punches and create combinations. This guard stance, which is inspired by that of the boxer, can be easier if you want to block and dodge blows as you prepare to deliver a spinning kick.
To start, instead of using the guard stance with one foot forward and one back, it is best to stay in motion, hopping continuously. This way, it will be easier to dodge your opponent's blows and "dance" to stay out of his reach as you recover between attacks
Step 2. Keep your hands close to your head
Bend your elbows and raise your hands a few inches from the chin (ideally with closed fists, even if they are not essential). Keep your elbows bent against your body, but don't contract your torso. Stay loose and relaxed. The forearms must form a "cage" around the lower part of the head, protecting it from impacts coming from the front. If your opponent tries to punch or kick you in the head, you have the option of joining your arms to defend yourself.
This guard position leaves the torso and the central part of the body unprotected. You can compensate for this by staying low and keeping your shoulders forward. You can also block body strikes by lowering your forearms in a crossed position, even if you will leave your head uncovered
Step 3. Bring the leg to the preparation position
Once you've managed to get into the boxing guard stance, try a few kicks (you can use a simple round kick, side kick, or muay thai, whichever is easier). Bring the kicking leg to the side or in front of you, with the knee fully bent. Therefore, pivot on the foot that is on the ground and tilt your torso to maintain balance until the leg is high enough. Don't forget to keep your guard close to your head. A smart opponent can use these moments of preparation to punch you.
While the boxer guard stance may be more practical for defending yourself in a match, it can be a little more difficult to keep your balance, so try to train well before attempting a spin kick in a real self-defense situation
Step 4. Kick as usual
Extend your leg, hitting the opponent as quickly as possible. Make contact with the target, then quickly withdraw the leg to increase the impact force. Take another kick or return your leg to the ground and start jumping while maintaining the guard position, ready to react to the opponent.
Advice
- If your right foot is dominant, train your left foot more. Unknowingly you will also train the right leg and have a balanced attack. An opponent who has only one strong leg becomes very predictable, and vice versa.
- Stretching prevents injuries and increases flexibility.
Warnings
- Always keep your guard up when the opponent has the opportunity to catch up with you, otherwise you could be knocked down easily with a quick headshot.
- If you kick with your right foot, make sure your left foot rotates with your hip, otherwise you could get a sprained hip or knee. The foot that supports you should be turned so that on impact it points away from the target.
- Do not fully extend your leg before kicking the kick, or you could damage your bones and connective tissues. Always keep a small angle to prevent serious and permanent injury.
- Pull your toes back. If you stick with your fingertips, you will damage them. Attach with the base of the feet, under the toes.
- Do not use a spinning kick or any other kick in a real fight, unless you have been practicing seriously under the supervision of a martial arts instructor. Generally, during a match it can happen that the kicks are slow and weak, if you have not trained yourself to increase muscle mass, and for this reason there is the risk of putting yourself in an open position with respect to the opponent.
