Navigation | Karate | Karate Kicks

Mawashi Geri

Mawashi Geri is a karate kick. Pronounced 'ma-wash-he-gery'. The Mawashi Geri kick in Karate is the Round House kick, named due to the kicks round motion around the outside. This kick is used extensively in karate and is probably the sports most iconic kick.

The kick is performed by first bringing the knee up to the front ( in some styles this may be out to the side ) similar to the other main kicks in karate. After the leg is raised, the standing foot should pivot so that your instep of your foot points in the direction of attack. The leg is then extended out and the kick is impacted using the ball of the foot. The kick is then brought back to the knee before been placed on the floor back at the original standing starting position.

While kicking in the Mawashi Geri Round Kick, it is also needed to throw one of the hips forward into the kick, this both helps drive power behind the kick and also provides extended reach.

Care should be taken to avoid kicking with the blade or top of the foot, however natural this feels, the ball of the foot is the best area of the foot to be used for striking with, ensure your toes are pulled back to prevent breaking the toes during the kicking techniques.