Sanda Roundhouse Kick Video
This video shows how to do a roundhouse kick in sanda (Chinese kickboxing). In Chinese (Mandarin) the roundhouse kick is called "Bian Tui". While in
muay thai the roundhouse kick is the strongest kick, in sanda it is the second strongest kick. Sanda fighters usually focus a bit more on the side kick. Click here for more sanda videos and don't forget to check out the animated sanda section for more detailed instructions.
Execution
- Lift your knee and keep your guard up. Don't lean back or to the side and make sure your knee is flexed more than 90 degrees. After you lift your knee, your thigh should "almost" point to your opponent. Don't lift your knee too much from the side. Also don't lift your knee crossing the direct line to your opponent.
- Then turn on the ball of the foot of your standing leg, extend your kicking leg and as you kick, point your thigh to the opposite site of your impact point. So if you are kicking the right side of your opponent's rib cage, point your thigh to the left side of his rib cage like if you were going to kick through him. This way you will hit your opponent with the leg 90% extended which is the best point for impact. Fully extend the ankle of your kicking leg.
- To add a little more extra power to your roundhouse kick, you should learn how to extend your hip at the right moment. This is very important in muay thai.
- At this point it's very important that you don't lean back too far and keep your back hand close to your head. A hook punch counter-attack to the inside of your body is very likely at this point.
- To avoid getting thrown, pull your leg back in a straight line and extend your ankle.
- Go back to your fighting stance as soon as possible.
Advice
- In Sanda you kick with the area between your shin and your ankle (a few cm above the ankle). In muay thai on the other hand, you kick with the lower third of your shin bone. While kicking with the ankle area could create a better impact (plus you don't have to get that close) there is the risk of injuring your ankle. The idea behind the muay thai roundhouse kick is that you harden your shin and actually attack with a steel-like weapon. The muay thai roundhouse kick is considered more effective than the sanda roundhouse kick.
- Most roundhouse kicks are applied with the front leg, but you can also kick with the back leg. Back leg roundhouse kick can be a little stronger but slower. For more information on the back leg roundhouse kick check the video above.
- A lot of people make the mistake to strike out too wide, make a very big circle and lift the kicking leg with the knee already half way extended. Keep in mind that the power of the roundhouse kick comes from the right timing between extension of the knee, hip movement and turn on the standing leg.
- Work on a heavy bag.
- Failed roundhouse kicks are an invitation for counter-attacks.
Performance
Suggestions
