Whether you're trying to learn martial arts for self-defense purposes, for personality development, or just to emulate Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee, you may eventually want to learn spinning kicks (also known by their traditional name, mawashi geri). Even though a martial artist can do this very easily, it actually takes a lot of practice to perfect the move, especially if you plan to use a special kick technique. Be patient and spend plenty of time practicing and soon you'll be able to shoot high-flying kicks like a kung fu master.
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Method 1 of 4: Performing a Simple Spin Kick
Step 1. Synchronize your breathing with the kick
Breath control is important for any sport, but in a fight, it's a must - you want to be able to move, duck, parry and kick as quickly as possible without running out of breath or, conversely, you get hit by your opponent and you can't breathe for a while. Take deep, steady breaths when your opponent is out of reach. Inhale as you prepare to kick, then exhale forcefully or loudly (making noises such as snoring, screaming, etc.) each time you kick (or get kicked). Set your pace as you fight - if you feel drained, step back and take deep breaths to re-concentrate and restore stamina.
Paying attention to breathing problems isn't just for the purpose of increasing focus and stamina - there's actually scientific evidence to suggest that exhaling or making noise during physical exertion (such as kicking) allows you to exert more force
Step 2. Take care of the defense
In karate and most other styles of martial arts, your "guard" is the basic fighting stance - your way of holding your body between attacks and fending off attacks from your opponent. Guards make it easier to attack quickly and powerfully and to react to an opponent's attack, so it's a great place to start before making a spinning kick.
- If you're not left-handed, to keep your defenses up, first step forward with your left leg, allowing your right foot to rotate naturally so your right foot is pointing to the side. Make a fist and raise your hands so that your arms are bent at the elbows and the fronts of your arms are slightly raised. The left fist should be higher and point further forward than the right fist, and the right hand should be near the waist.
- If you are left-handed, just change the direction above; step forward with the right foot, drop the left foot behind, and so on.
Step 3. Keep your arms raised, ready to strike and parry attacks
If you're practicing your spinning kick alone, you can spend as much time as possible in order to be able to perform the movements carefully. In real combat, that's not the case, where if your defenses are open for a moment, your opponent will have a chance to attack. Even if you're not training with a partner, get in the habit of holding your hands up before and after kicking. When you ultimately "really" need to use movement in combat, keeping your hands up will leave you less exposed to your opponent's attacks and make it much easier for you to react to attacks that they "really" do.
Step 4. Lift your legs and position them to the sides
As you lift your back leg to kick, bend it back so that the back of your calf almost touches your thigh. Lift the bent leg so that the knee is pointing to the side. To keep your body balanced, you may need to tilt your upper body in the opposite direction. At this point, the muscles in the legs are assembled and the lower leg is chambered (legs raised with knees bent and thighs parallel to the floor), ready to deliver a fast, powerful kick.
If you've never done a spinning kick before, it can be difficult to balance on one leg with your leg out to the side. Fortunately, there are a number of simple balance exercises (such as standing on one leg while standing in line at the supermarket) that are easy to incorporate into your daily routine
Step 5. Kick the leg forward, rotating over the other leg
Rotate on the lower leg, twisting the body so that the kicking foot is moving toward the target. As you perform this movement, extend your leg in a sudden, smooth motion, "stomping" it forward. It's best if your feet hit the target before they're fully extended. In other words, the knee should still be slightly bent when the leg hits the target - this will create maximum strength.
Try to connect with the top of the foot, the ball of the foot, or the top of the foot. Alternatively, use a shin - this too can be very damaging to your opponent, but can also be very painful on your own
Step 6. Pull back the leg and return to the holding position
When it hits the target, "roll" through the target. Allow the leg to release full force, penetrating a few centimeters into the opponent's body. Pull the leg back quickly back to the folded position. At this point, you can place your leg into a chambered position to launch another kick or return it to the floor.
The less time it takes for the foot or leg to touch the target's body, the better. Fast, "thumping" kicks deliver a lot of power in the form of a destructive shock, whereas slower kicks use some of the power to propel the target, and do less damage
Step 7. Try using an alternative kick technique
The basic spinning kick described above is great for beginners, but it's only one of many variations that may continue to evolve. To increase your versatility during combat, try learning one or more variations of the basic spinning kick. Once mastered, these special moves can give you additional speed or power, giving you an advantage in short-range combat. See the sections below which explain in more detail each defense.
- Use the "side kick" technique to attack quickly and directly. In a fight between experienced martial artists, speed can be a very strong factor in determining the winner. Using these stances, you can release (and return from) kicks with an extra level of speed as you approach your opponent, so you can set the pace of the fight.
- Use the muay thai kick technique to gain power and strength. A sudden and powerful attack can determine the overall fight. For situations that require a sudden and powerful attack, using a muay thai kick style, which prioritizes kick power, can be a wise choice.
- Use the defensive boxing style to protect yourself. The basic stances for defense in the karate-inspired martial arts above offer a balanced platform for sending and parrying attacks, but in street fights, gloveless fights, and self-defense scenarios, it can be difficult to use them to parry a barrage of punches to the ground. head or body. In these cases, a boxing-inspired defense might create a more practical defense.
Method 2 of 4: Using the "Side Kick" Technique
Step 1. Lift your leg in front of you
The main difference between a regular spinning kick and a side kick is that a side kick is fired from in front of the target, rather than from the side. Starting in a basic defensive stance, lift your back leg out in front of you (not out to the side like you do a spinning kick), bending your knees as you do this.
Step 2. Bring your legs parallel to the floor
Before you throw a side kick, the leg should be parallel to the floor - in other words, the inside of the leg should be facing the floor and the knee should be pointing directly to the side. You'll need to do several separate moves at once - while they sound complicated, they actually feel fast and natural if you practice a lot. Do the following:
- Rotate with your feet on the ground to rotate your body so that your legs are bent to kick parallel to the target.
- Move away from the leg to kick with your upper body to keep the leg elevated and maintain your balance.
- Use your hip muscles to pull the kicking leg up. The position should be parallel to the floor (or as close as possible) before you take your kick - the power of a side kick is in its strong, direct impact.
Step 3. Kick your legs forward as fast as you can
In one smooth but sudden movement, extend the leg as quickly as possible, hitting the target with the lower outer edge of the foot. Ideally, for maximum kicking power, your upper body and kicking leg should create a straight line toward the target parallel to the floor - you need to keep your legs high, in line with your upper body, and in turn at your hips when you throw your kick.
As you make the kicking motion, keep rotating on the standing leg. A perfect side kick requires about 180. turno - the foot will start towards the target and end away from it as soon as the kick hits the target.
Step 4. Pull the leg back as quickly as possible
When you feel that your kick hits the target correctly, immediately pull it (like a regular spinning kick) for the most powerful attack power. Return to a standing position by rotating the standing leg back forward and lowering the kicking foot to the ground (or, alternatively, perform another kick).
Side kicks are not only fast and powerful - they are versatile when it comes to striking the target. Depending on how high you can lift your leg, you can throw a side kick anywhere on your opponent's body, from his leg or groin to his face. Hip flexibility is essential for lifting your legs high enough to hit your opponent's upper body. If you can't kick with side kicks above your opponent's waist, try practicing hip stretches to improve flexibility
Method 3 of 4: Performing the Muay Thai Spin Kick
Step 1. Form a basic defensive stance for a spinning kick
This powerful spin kick variation uses a different stance than you would use for a regular kick. Take a step forward with your non-kicking foot, then rotate your body so that your feet are about shoulder-width apart. Point the toes behind to the side. Stand straight with your weight on the balls of your feet and your hands clenched in front of your chest or chin.
For a muay thai kick, try adding a little more weight on the back leg than on the front leg. With this position, you will be in a stable condition when reacting to your opponent's movements and trying to prepare for a kick. When you kick, you will transfer your weight to the other leg for added strength
Step 2. Rotate on your front foot as you swing your back leg forward
To start the kick, rotate on the ball of the front foot, turning your toes outwards and your heels toward your opponent. At the same time, lift your legs up and around your body in an arched form, bending your knees. Try to raise your legs at least as high as your opponent's waist - your knees will be toward or near the middle of your opponent's body by the time you start throwing the kick.
At the end of the swing, the hip of the kicking leg must be above the hip of the standing leg. Most of the stability and power for the kick comes from these sturdy stakes
Step 3. Swing your arms for extra kick power
Kick the leg forward, aiming to hit at or before the leg is fully extended. As you perform this move, add more power and speed to your kick by dropping your arm where you are kicking at the same time as the kick.
Note that this move makes you slightly more vulnerable to counter-attacks because the swinging arm can't block the attack, so be sure to keep your other hand up to protect your head and face as you perform this move
Step 4. Hit the opponent
Hit your opponent's body or head with your calves or the tops of your feet. Try to hit your opponent like a baseball bat, sliding from the side (around his defensive area) rather than straight. After landing the kick, pull your leg as fast as you can to get maximum attack power (as in the kick style above).
As described above, follow the kick with another kick or return to the starting position, rotating the standing leg. Whichever option you make, be sure to return the arm on the kicking side to the defensive position as quickly as possible to protect yourself from a backlash
Method 4 of 4: Using Boxing Defense Style
Step 1. Stay agile
In the words of Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest boxers in history, "Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee." For boxers, mobility is the key to being able to react to the opponent's movements, dodge punches, and arrange punch combinations. Using a boxing-inspired defensive stance, it's easier to parry and dodge your opponent's attacks while preparing for a spinning kick.
To begin with, rather than just using a one-foot-in-the-back-one-foot-in-front defensive stance, it's better to keep moving, keep taking short, "choppy" steps. This way it's easier to dodge your opponent's attacks and "dance" out of their reach as you recover stamina between attacks
Step 2. Keep your hands up near your head
Bend your elbows and raise your hands so they are only a few centimeters from your chin (ideally with fists clenched, although not required). Keep your elbows bent, but don't strain your upper body - stay flexible and relaxed. The forearms should form a "cage" at the bottom of the head, to protect against attacks sent by the opponent from the front. If your opponent tries to hit or kick you in the head, bring your arms together for more protection.
These defensive stances leave the body and midsection relatively less protected - you can cover this weakness by staying slightly bent and your shoulders forward. You can also fend off attacks on your body by keeping your lower body defenses crossed with your forearms crossed, even if this leaves your head exposed
Step 3. Position the legs into the chambered position
Once you're used to the defensive stance of boxing, try doing some kicks (you can use spin kicks, side kicks, or muay thai kicks - whichever is easiest for you). Release the kicking leg out to the side or in front of you with the knee fully bent. At the same time, rotate on the standing leg and tilt your upper body for balance until the leg lifts. When performing this move, don't forget to keep the defense close to the head - a smart opponent may use your preparation time to get a free hit.
While boxing defenses can be more practical for protecting yourself in combat, keeping your body balanced is a bit more difficult with these stances, so be sure to practice plenty of practice before attempting to spin kicks in actual self-defense
Step 4. Kick as usual
Kick the leg out, extend it as quickly as possible. Hit the target, then pull the kick as fast as possible for maximum attack power. Follow up with another kick or drop your leg to the floor and start taking quick, light steps while keeping your defense up top, ready to react to your opponent.
Tips
- If you use your right leg more, work your left leg more. Unknowingly the exercise will train the right leg as well, and your attack will be balanced. If you only rely on one strong leg, it is very easy to guess. (The opposite is also true).
- Stretching will prevent injury and increase your flexibility.
Warning
- You should always keep your defense high when you are within reach of your opponent or you risk being knocked over by a quick hit to the head.
- Pull your toes back. If you strike with the tips of your toes, those toes can be crushed. Attack with the ball of the foot, which is under the toes.
- If you kick with your right foot, make sure that your left foot on the ground rotates with your hip… otherwise your ankle/knee could be sprained or overstretched. The supporting leg must be rotated so that it is positioned away from the target in the event of an impact.
- Do not use spinning kicks or any type of kick in actual combat unless you have trained under the supervision of a martial arts trainer. If you try to kick in a fight without properly preparing your muscles, then the kick may be slow, underpowered, and leave you in a position to open up for an opponent's attack.
- Don't fully extend your leg before your kick hits your opponent. If forced, your bones and connective tissue can be destroyed. Always keep the angle small to prevent permanent problems.
