Proper roundhouse execution

[Banshee]

I know this seems like a really basic question, but I want to see how everyone else prefers it.

When I took TKD when I was younger, I was taught to kick with the instep/top foot portion, however, I have read in some places that the ball of the foot should be used, and I have sometimes seen my instructor use the ball of his foot, even though he tells us instep. He doesn't correct me when I use the instep, but doesn't correct others who use the ball of the foot.

When sparring with the feet covered, pulling the toes back is out of the question, and I would say the same with shoes on. I broke a toe with a front kick (it was a no contact sparing drill and the guy I was doing it with came at me instead of moving back like he was supposed to) and I hate cranking the toes back to do a kick. I could see, however, when having to break a board for example, using the ball of the foot would probably be a good idea. What technique do you all use?

[karatekid1975]

In TSD, I was taught to use the ball of the foot no matter what.

In TKD. I use the instep for sparring (for safety reasons), ball of the foot for techs, forms and breaking. We are even taught to use the ball of the foot (except in sparring) in TKD.

[ninjanurse]

Roundhouse has different deliveries and foot shapes that depend on the target and or situation. Laurie and I train at the same school these days and we apply the ball of the foot as she describes in most situations except sparring-as we train Olympic style (we also use a slightly different path of delivery in some cases). However,for beginners-in general, when teaching kicking for the first time, we do not discuss "ball of the foot" until they have completed the first one or two belt levels as our emphasis is on teaching them the gross motor movements involved in kicking, i.e., chamber ( or knee lift), extension, and recoil. Transition to the "basic" foot shape (ball of the foot) is much easier when they are already fluid in their kicking movements. The same applies to front kick. Pulling the toes back properly takes concentration, flexibility of the ankle joint and toes, and time!

[DokterVet]

Different styles teach it different ways.

Here is an article which features 4 of the popular ways of performing the roundhouse kick (it's about 1/3 of the way down the article).

http://www.kyokushinmail.com/koya/KickInstruction.htm

[Bushido58266]

I find that roundhouse kicks should be done with whatever feels comfortable to you. i use my instep 99% of the time and it dont bother me but i do kick solid objects with it to build strength and get used to the pain. but really its what feels comfortable to you

[Jiffy]

In our school, we teach both ways.

Using the ball of the foot will do more damage as it is using a more solid bone and there is a small contact point. The other advantage of the ball of the foot is the foot is flexed toward the body and can sometimes kick around blocks that are close in.

Using the flat of the foot will not give the same sort of impact as the ball of the foot, but does have it's own advantages. First of all, accuracy, because it's a larger surface area that travels against the flow of the technique, there is a much lower chance of missing. Pointing the foot to kick with the instep also has the advantage of extended reach. Another thing is it makes for a better kick when wanting to use the shin. And of course there is also the safety factor when training with a partner.

[Red J]

I use both the ball, instep, and shin depending on the target and situation.

[Meguro]

What leg or foot part you use depends on what you intend to kick and how hard you want kick it.

I broke a toe with a front kick (it was a no contact sparing drill and the guy I was doing it with came at me instead of moving back like he was supposed to) and I hate cranking the toes back to do a kick.

Unless you were aiming for your opponent's groin, how could you not pull back your toes when doing a front kick?

[marie curie]

Hey, I started looking around for the web's input, and they dont seem to agree

Here is what I found:

TKD

instep

http://www.ehow.com/how_12881_perform-roundhouse-kick.html

Karate

ball / instep if to neck or thigh

http://www.all-karate.com/147/high-roundhouse-kick-jodan-mawashi-geri

http://www.all-karate.com/148/middle-level-roundhouse-kick-chudan-mawashi-geri

Kenpo

top of foot

http://www.bakerfamily4.net/kenpo/kicks.htm

Muay Thai

Shin (but thats specifically for the Muay Thai version)

http://stickgrappler.tripod.com/mt/kk1.html

Karate Q, Some Korean Style A

Heel (guy doesn't konw what he's talking about, but I figure I should report all my findings)

http://experts.about.com/q/Karate-332/round-house-kick.htm?zIr=1#r

More Muay Thai

Any part of leg/thigh/foot

http://www.subfighter.com/article933.html

[AndrewGreen]

There are many ways to throw a round kick, they do different things.

Instep however, is a dangerous one in that there are a lot of small, easily breakable bones. Not a problem if your footware is appropriate.

Shin is good for landing the power strikes, its the biggest and can deliver the hardest blows.

Ball of the foot can be used for snapping techniques. Not as much power but a lot faster, kind of like a jab. With shoes the toe tip can be used as well. It's a different kind of pain...