Muay thai Round kick

[Armbar]

What makes the Muay Thai round kick (Don't know the Thai term) so powerful?

[SevenStar]

the mechanics. mechanically, it's harder to learn that people think it is. but when compared to say, a shotokan roundhouse, the difference in power is like comparing a whip to a baseball bat. the whip hurts because of it's speed and sting. The bat hurts because it just plows straight through you.

[Armbar]

You swing your leg at the hip, right? But instead of extension of shin at the knee, you just kind of dead leg your opponent with follow through? Is this correct, or am I confused?

BTW, I’ve been kicked like this, and it HURTS like crazy when you’re not ready for it. I’ve leveled some guys like this; one kick, one knockdown.

[Ben Martin]

^ yeah thats correct its a crazy kick

[SevenStar]

yeah, but it gets deeper and more complicated. not only that, but it differs depending on whom you ask. For example, after the initial 45 degree step, some people advocate pivoting on the leg as you kick. Others, on the other hand advocate pointing your foot in the direction that you turn as you step, and avoid pivoting. some people turn the hip over twice, adding something of a cutting effect to the kick... definitely have someone show it to you.

[NotQuiteDead]

Yeah a lot of people do it differently. For example, I've seen Ramon Dekkers plant his supporting foot flat on the ground and just swing his hip into it, while a lot of others pivot on the ball of their foot. I don't know which is better (I've only done a little muay thai and I probably don't even do the kick right), it's probably just personal preferance.

[Mr Pockets]

Yeah a lot of people do it differently. For example, I've seen Ramon Dekkers plant his supporting foot flat on the ground and just swing his hip into it, while a lot of others pivot on the ball of their foot. I don't know which is better (I've only done a little muay thai and I probably don't even do the kick right), it's probably just personal preferance.

In the end those are the same thing- so long as your foot is pointed in that direction and the hips turn over.

[Armbar]

While I'm on the subject of Muay Thai, does anybody know of any sites that demonstrate this and other techniques? I googled in but couldn't come up with anything.

[NotQuiteDead]

In the end those are the same thing- so long as your foot is pointed in that direction and the hips turn over.

How is having your foot flat on the ground (heel included) the same as just turning on the ball of your foot?

[SevenStar]

In the end those are the same thing- so long as your foot is pointed in that direction and the hips turn over.

How is having your foot flat on the ground (heel included) the same as just turning on the ball of your foot?

what he's referring to is the angle. when you plant your foot, you are planting it atabout the same angle your foot would pivot to if you used the pivot method - theorectically, there should be no difference in power.