Paying attention to your breathing isn’t just for improving your focus and stamina — there’s actually scientific evidence to suggest that exhaling or vocalizing during physical exertion (like kicking) can make it possible to exert more force.
If you are right handed, to get in your guard, first take a big step forward with your left leg, letting your right foot naturally pivot so it points out to the side. Make two fists and raise your hands so that both arms are bent at the elbow and your forearms are raised slightly. Your left fist should be higher and farther forward than your right, which should be close to your waist. If you’re left handed, simply reverse the directions above: step forward with your right foot, drop your left foot back, and so on.
If you haven’t done a roundhouse kick before, you may find it tricky to balance on one foot with your leg out to the side. Luckily, there are a number of simple balance-improving exercises (like standing on one foot while waiting in line at the supermarket) that are easy to work into your daily routine.
Try to connect with the top of your foot, the ball of your foot, or your instep. Alternatively, you can use your shinbone — this can be especially devastating to your opponent, but can be very painful for you as well.
The less time your foot or leg is in contact with your target’s body, the better. Quick, “snappy” kicks transfer lots of energy in the form of damaging shock, while slower kicks use some of their energy to push the target, which is less damaging.
Use a “side-kick” technique for a quick, direct attack. In a fight between experienced martial artists, speed can be a huge factor in determining the winner. Using this stance can help you release (and recover from) your kick with extra quickness all while advancing on your opponent, allowing you to set the pace of the fight. Use a muay thai kicking technique for power and strength. Sudden, powerful blows can decide entire fights. For situations that call for sudden, forceful blows, using this muay thai kick style, which prioritizes the strength of the kick, can be a wise choice. Use a boxing guard to protect yourself. The basic karate-inspired martial arts guard stance above offers a balanced platform for delivering and blocking blows, but in street fights, bare-knuckle brawls, and self-defense scenarios, it may be hard to use it to block a flurry of punches to the head or body. In these cases, a boxing-inspired guard may make for a more practical defense.
Pivot with your foot on the ground to turn your body so that your bent kicking leg comes in line with your target. Lean away from your kicking leg with your upper body to keep it elevated and maintain your balance. Use your hip muscles to pull your kicking leg up. It should be basically parallel to the floor (or as close as you’re able to get it) before you make your kick — the strength of the side kick is in its quick, direct forcefulness.
As you make your kicking motion, continue to pivot on your standing foot. A full side kick requires about 180o of rotation — your foot will start facing toward your target and end facing away from it as you kick connects.
Not only is the side kick quick and powerful — it’s also versatile in terms of striking targets. Depending on how high you’re able to raise your leg, it’s possible to deliver a side kick anywhere from an opponent’s leg or groin to their face. Hip flexibility is essential for raising your leg high enough to hit upper body targets. If you can’t get your side kick above an opponent’s waist, try starting a regimen of hip stretches to improve your flexibility.
For muay thai kicks, try to put a little more weight on the back foot than on the front foot. This gives you stability as you react to your opponent’s moves and try to set up your kick. When you make your kick, you’ll transfer your weight to the other foot for additional power.
At the end of the swing, the hip of your kicking leg should be stacked directly above the hip of your standing leg. Most of the stability and power for the kick will come from this solid pillar of support.
Note that this motion leaves you slightly more vulnerable to a counterattack because your swinging arm can’t block attacks, so make sure to keep your other hand up to protect your head and face while you make this movement.
As directed above, follow your kick up with another kick or return to your starting position, pivoting your standing foot back around as you do so. Whichever option you use, be sure to return your kicking arm back to its guard position as quickly as possible to protect against a counterattack.
To start, rather than using the one-foot-back-one-foot-forward guard stance described above, you’ll want to stay mobile, constantly taking short, choppy steps. This makes it easier to dodge your opponent’s blows and “dance” out of their reach when you’re recovering between blows.
This guard stance leaves your torso and midsection relatively unprotected — you can counter this somewhat by staying low and keeping your shoulders forward. You can also block body blows by dropping your guard low with your forearms crossed, though this will leave your head open.
Though the boxing guard can be more practical for protecting yourself in a fight, staying balanced can be a little trickier with this stance, so be sure to practice plenty before you try performing a roundhouse kick in an actual self-defense scenario.
