Lead Leg Round House & Switch Round House

[Reala]

Without Switch:

Does anyone have any advice how to develop the lead leg roundhouse from an orthadox stance? If I switch to Southpaw then I can easily kick head height from my right leg, however in orthadox I struggle to kick even body height without stepping slightly.

With:

When switching there are different types (in muaythai at least) some fighers like Yuya Yamamoto for example do a kind of skip. Other fighters I have seen do a step and other fighters do almost a jump. What are the advantaes and disadvantages of each one?

[Patcherson]

normally front legs are used if they are coming towards you. when they come in you lean back and your leg will rise

[emjay]

You also mentioned kicking head height. I am always leary of this in any situation. Mid body...to low leg level kicks, I have found to much faster, safer and easier to keep balance and recover from. This might not be the advice you had in mind, but I found that after i gave up a little bit of height to my kicks...throwing them without disrupting my stance was much easier from either leg (lead or rear) and in a real world situation alot more destructive to an opponent. Taking out a knee or the groin...will usually take the fight out of anyone...

[joesteph]

Looking through eHow/Expert Village and YouTube videos, the lead leg roundhouse doesn't seem to be emphasized for head high, although the following video:

http://www.ehow.com/video_2356188_doing-front-leg-roundhouse-kick.html

presents it as a double and even triple shot, hitting from low to high as your supporting leg inches forward due to the lead leg kicks. The demonstrator suggests that the low kick causes the opponent to block or be distracted low, opening up his head (as his body drops down because of the setup low roundhouse) to a strike.

[Kuma]

For lead leg kicks, practice going back into neko ashi dachi then kicking with the lead leg. Get this down and you can then incorporate it into kumite drills and eventually sparring.

I'm a big fan of lead leg round kicks, my personal favorite being to the inner thigh of an orthodox fighter as it's an excellent "jabbing" technique to keep them on their toes and difficult to block. Good for chudan and jodan too though, as it's unexpected.

[sensei8]

Without Switch:

Does anyone have any advice how to develop the lead leg roundhouse from an orthadox stance? If I switch to Southpaw then I can easily kick head height from my right leg, however in orthadox I struggle to kick even body height without stepping slightly.

With:

When switching there are different types (in muaythai at least) some fighers like Yuya Yamamoto for example do a kind of skip. Other fighters I have seen do a step and other fighters do almost a jump. What are the advantaes and disadvantages of each one?

Well...Just Spar...alot...over and over...until the wheels fall off...until the cows can fly...until hell freezes over...JUST SPAR...then the answer as to what you're seeking will present itself.

I and/or we could give you one gem advice after another but the only gem I can give you is that...SPAR!!!!!

[bushido_man96]

A lead leg round kick is going to be tougher to get to head level. Its going to require some good flexibility not only in the legs, but in the trunk area, too. Kicking high like this, especially with the front leg, will really engage the oblique muscles, so that is an area to focus on, as well.

Not that it can't be done, but it may be a lot of specialized training to acquire the ability.

[sensei8]

A lead leg round kick is going to be tougher to get to head level.

One of my favorites to do! Although my style doesn't teach any kicks above the stomach/waist.

Its going to require some good flexibility not only in the legs, but in the trunk area, too. Kicking high like this, especially with the front leg, will really engage the oblique muscles, so that is an area to focus on, as well.

Not that it can't be done, but it may be a lot of specialized training to acquire the ability.

Brian's dead on right here!!!!

[Nobodysaidbella]

I can only speak for myself when I say there's much less power and flexibility in a front leg roundhouse kick. I'd use it for speed and then set it down in back followed by a back leg.

If I'm going to kick to the head, I need to have a good base, because balance is difficult when kciking that high. I'm flexible and strong enough to do it, but it won't help if we both end up on the floor. I'd prefer the neck if they can't block it.

[cathal]

normally front legs are used if they are coming towards you. when they come in you lean back and your leg will rise

Patch has it right on; you'll notice a slight lean back as you raise your leg. Use it to torque or even use the pendulum motion for other front-leg techniques, and voila. Practice it up, do the drills, and you'll eventually get a much more smooth and natural movement. Just like learning it to begin with, it can take a little time to "click in".

Have fun!