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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Sport categories
Equipment
- Gi (martial arts uniform)A durable jacket-and-trouser uniform worn in several grappling and striking martial arts.
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
- Shin guardsProtective pads worn over the shins in football and other field sports.
- Swim finsFoot blades that increase propulsion when swimming, snorkelling or diving.
Movement patterns
- KickA ballistic single-support leg swing that whips force from the plant foot through the hip and knee to strike or propel a ball or target with the foot, distinct from the weight-bearing steps of locomotion.
- CutA sharp, frequently reactive plant-and-redirect performed in a single decisive foot contact to evade an opponent or abruptly alter a line of travel.
- PivotA rotation of the body about one planted foot, reorienting the trunk and hips around a vertical axis without travelling to a new location.
- SlideA slide is a controlled, low-friction skid of the body or foot along a surface, used to brake, extend reach, or hold a line, where managed friction and a lowered centre of gravity govern the movement.
Rules
- Badminton serve rulesThe rules for how a badminton serve must be delivered and where it must land.
- TravelingA basketball violation for moving illegally with the ball without dribbling it.
- Direct and indirect free kicksThe two types of free kick awarded in football to restart play after a foul or other stoppage.
- Foot faultA serving fault called when the server's foot touches the baseline or court before striking the ball.
- Penalty kick awardA one-on-one kick against the goalkeeper awarded when a defending player commits a direct-free-kick foul inside their own penalty area.