The use of kicks in fighting dates to at least 648 B.C. Pankration competitors used kicks in their brutal matches in the ancient Greek Olympics. Throughout the centuries, countries around the world have developed fighting styles that utilize kicks. From Korea’s taekwondo to France’s savate, kicks are an integral part of many martial arts. Two of the most common kicks are the roundhouse and side kick. Although both of these kicks can seriously damage an opponent, they are executed quite differently.
Roundhouse Kick
If you are in a fighting stance, the roundhouse kick can be performed with your front or back leg. Typically, a roundhouse performed with the front leg is faster and used to set your opponent up for additional attacks. A roundhouse kick performed with the back leg is usually more powerful and can serve as a finishing blow. To execute a roundhouse with your back leg, pick up your bent leg so that it is approximately horizontal to the floor. Rotate your hips and point your knee at your target. Quickly snap the top or ball of your foot straight across at your target.
Roundhouse Kick Variations
As you become more skilled at kicking, you can try some roundhouse kick variations. For example, the spinning roundhouse kick is a popular kick at taekwondo schools. To execute this type of roundhouse, spin around one time just prior to kicking. The spin can help you generate more power and disorient your opponent. Roundhouse kicks also can be performed while jumping and spinning in the air.
Side Kick
To perform a basic side kick, stand sideways to your target. Lift the leg that is closest to your target and point your knee in the same direction that your body is facing, not at the target. Pivot your standing foot and forcefully drive the heel of your kicking foot into the target. You also can try kicking with the outside edge of your foot. Your foot should be approximately parallel with the floor when you perform the kick.
Side Kick Variations
One of the most popular variations of the sidekick is the crossover sidekick. To execute this technique, cross your back foot behind your front foot and move toward the target before kicking. This step helps you generate momentum and power for the technique. If you become an experienced martial artist, you can even try a flying side kick. For this kick, you need to run, jump and sail through the air before kicking a target.
Differences
The roundhouse and side kick are obviously not executed the same way, but there also are other differences. The roundhouse kick often enters an opponent’s field of view from the side.= and can be hard to see coming. A disadvantage of the roundhouse is that it can sometimes be ineffective if an opponent is strongly advancing straight at you. On the other hand, a quick, powerful side kick at an attacker’s midsection can abruptly stop him.
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