Round House Kick

[CLM]

I agree with seanyseanybean more or less. The way i was taught is that if you have shoes/gear on, use the instep, else use the ball of your toes. The problem, as mentioned, is the fear of break your toes. Depending on my angle and the level of contact, I've used the balls, but I tend to go with the instep myself.

[Xtschneider]

I go with depends on the situation

I've never done it with a ball foot
Instep on pretty much anything but a shin and an elbow
Shin with closer ranges where the instep won't work, as well as with shin on shin contact/shin on elbow contact

[seppuku]

shin, always. but then, ive got long legs, kicking people in the head with my shin is only a problem if they're lots taller than me or my clothing gets in the way. plus shin is solid bone and damn sharp

im about 6 foot 2... so if someone is that much taller than me im better off kickign their legs in then runnign anyway

[Piston]

I prefer to use the instep, but when I become better I hope using the ball of the foot will become second nature. As for the shin perhaps only if I'm gonna throw out a turning kick at close range which would not be too often.

[kuk sool won]

I would say mainly with my shin, its always a good striking area

[seanyseanybean]

personaly, i use my instep for kidneys, solar plexus, face and head. I would use shin for leg kicks.
I'm not saying this is the way to do it, but its just the way i choose to.
I'd be too scared of breaking my toes to use the ball.

[Hardball]

What do you believe or what is your philosophy?