JCRD

hey guys just a quick question

my instructor tells us when doing a low roundhouse to bring the leg up then chop downwards sort of like an axe chopping
i cant seem to get the motion right
any one got any tips on how to execute this move properly
like any stretches or anything

also can anyone explain why this is done when doing a roundhouse rather than keeping the leg parallel to the ground, maybe you can get more force when chopping down i dunno?

Elfunko

You get more force, it puts more force into that leg (and grounds it, instead of allowing it to absorb some impact and disperse all the impact travels through the hit leg into the ground they stand on).

The beginner type movement is to pull your knee up then launch from there. The movements as I see it (though probably not a complete description) is to pull your knee up to about waist height, rotate your hips as you are doing this. Towards the end of your rotationturn that leg over really fast and slam it downward, like a 45* angle (if your opponents leg is at 90* from the ground). As you are finishing the kick (the downward motion) you should be fully? committing the rest of your hip, so your leg you balance on should have the heel in the direction of your opponent (but not pointed at your opponent, that would mean your back is turned). Seek instruction on committing your hips to the attack.

JCRD

ahhh k thanks for the advice

i am slowly getting there i think with about 1 more week ill be pulling it off good

the instructor also mentioned something about how a karate or TKD guy will find it hard to tell where a thai boxer is going to kick
could this be another reason why we slice downwards

Khun Kao

Just remember that the 'downwards slice' roundhouse kick is not the only attacking angle. It is arguably the most destructive, but its just a tad slower than other attack angles.

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Elfunko

I have a question: when hitting the calf or quadracept you can impliment this downward force. What about for a higher target? Is it still possible/practical/practiced?

JCRD

im pretty sure you could land one around the ribs or kidneys

gregimotis

I'm not sure you could hit higher than the thigh very often...
Consider that you'd have to raise the knee almost to head height in order to cut back down, and then the elbows would (should) be in the way.

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Khun Kao

You should be able to use this kick to somoene's neck. It doesn't matter if they know where you're kicking them, if their guard isn't tight enough, this kick is powerful enough to penetrate it and skill score a KO.

My favorite targets for this kick are the thigh, hips/waist area, and the neck.

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Kru Brooks C. Miller
USMTA Director of DC, MD, and VA
http://khunkao.com/

EmptyneSs

this questions kinda off topic, but is targeting the side of the knee join with a powerful roundhouse a good idea in a real fight, or do u risk injuring your shin too much? can the leg be broken easily this way? i usually target right above the knee, but below the thigh muscle, so i can hit the tendon, but i always have shinpads on when i spar. i dont wanna be like that dude who broke his shin kicking someone else.

aseepish

To help develop the proper hip motion, try exaggerating the movement - really loop the kick high and downwards, as if you were trying to hit the other guy's collar bone. Then use the same hip movement to get that chopping motion to the leg kick.

My instructor told me another application - for slipping over a knee block that was just a bit too slow.

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