Roundhouse

[datguy]

Hey, I was just curious as to why some martial arts chamber their roundhouse like taekwondo while others just throw the kick from the ground up? What are the pros and cons of each way?

[Dobbersky]

No THIS should be the test in the martial arts science programmes instead of the fighters using different kicks it should be this one.

I think its all down to preference. There's pro's and con's for both variants.

[Drew]

If one throws a roundhouse kick without chambering it, is it still a roundhouse kick? I have seen very unskilled people try to throw a roundhouse without a chamber, but it looks silly and is never effective.

For simplicity's sake I'm going to assume you mean the very exaggerated chamber often seen in TKD vs. the less exaggerated roundhouses you tend to see Muay Thai fellows and the like do.

Pros of TKD chamber: Tends to be quicker IMHO. Those guys almost always nip me quite painfully. Actually I guess that's the only pro I can think of.

Cons: In my experience TKD roundhouses, while painful, are not completely debilitating even when well placed. They seem to focus a lot on using the quad to snap the foot into the target, which is quick as I have mentioned, but not optimal for power generation.

Pros of Muay Thai Roundhouse: Crazy powerful even from a small practitioner, great for bludgeoning another dudes legs. Very debilitating when placed in the 'ol bread basket.

Cons: I find it is easier to read and opponents intentions when they throw Muay Thai style. Its also harder to hit someone in the head with your shin, though that has nothing to do with the chamber.

I hope that my two cents have helped you.

[sensei8]

I too think that it's a personal preference more than a dictated methodology.

Tell Superfoot Wallace that his chambered roundhouse is telegraphed and he'll answer with his foot. Opponents of his will tell you that no matter what, they couldn't stop it and it [Wallace's roundhouse kick] was quite effective.

Tell me that my unchambered roundhouse kick is ineffective and my opponents would tell you that it's quite effective. I throw both roundhouse types and nothing dictates as to which one I might throw, short of what my opponents are doing at that particular time.

Imho, an unchambered roundhouse is still a roundhouse because the path seen still has the parameters. Those who are skilled in the MA won't look silly and won't be so ineffective.

For me, both the pros and cons exist effectively for both types; it's what works for me.

[Wastelander]

I use both, depending on what I'm trying to accomplish. If I want to whip a kick out quickly and sting somebody, I use the chambered kick because it accomplishes just that (whipping and stinging, but without a deep impact) and works well to set up combinations with my hands. If I want to slam my shin into somebody's leg or ribs and make sure that they feel it in their bones afterward I'll push my leg off the floor (this does result in a slight chamber, but not very noticeable) and throw my whole leg and body into it. Both hurt to get hit by, but in different ways, and both can be fast depending on the practitioner.

[datguy]

Thanks for the input everybody. I've always chambered my roundhouse kicks and being somewhat new to other styles was just curious. Thanks again!