Roundhouse Kick
A kick delivered in a circular, sweeping arc that strikes with the shin or the top of the foot.
Definition
The roundhouse kick is a strike thrown along a curved, horizontal-to-diagonal path, with the kicking leg swinging around from the hip. The supporting foot usually pivots to open the hips, and contact is made with the shin or the instep depending on the style and target.
It is a staple of many striking arts, including karate, taekwondo, Muay Thai and kickboxing, and appears in mixed martial arts. Targets range from the legs and body to the head, and variations differ in the chambering and the striking surface. Its combination of reach and power makes it one of the most widely trained kicks.
Where you’ll hear “roundhouse kick”
Sports that use this term:
Taekwondo
A striking martial art known for its dynamic kicking techniques, agility and structured progression.
Kickboxing
A striking combat sport that combines punches and kicks, popular for fitness, focus and a full-body workout.
Karate
A striking martial art of punches, kicks and forms, structured around steady progression for all ages.
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- Content type
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- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- Content updated
- 2026-09-01
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