回し蹴りMawashi-geri — Roundhouse kick

Mawashi-geri (回し蹴り, “roundhouse kick”) travels in a horizontal arc into the side of the target, powered by the rotation of the hips. In Shotokan it is chiefly a basics and sparring kick — a top scorer in kumite — rather than a classical kata technique.

TypeKick (geri)

TargetChūdan / jōdan

WeaponBall of foot / instep

PathHorizontal arc

MostlyKihon & kumite

See the technique型

Toggle between the phases. These are simplified schematics of the shape of the technique — pair them with the step-by-step below and your instructor.

A diagram shows the shape, not the speed or feel. For full-motion form, watch the reference video below and train it live.

How to perform it

Lift the kicking knee out to the side and forward, folding the lower leg back tightly (heel toward the buttock).
Pivot on the ball of the supporting foot so the heel turns toward the target, opening the hips.
Drive the hip of the kicking leg over and through — the hip rotation, not the leg, makes the power.
Whip the lower leg out in a horizontal arc, striking with the ball of the foot (toes pulled back) for mid-level, or the instep for the head.
Snap the foot straight back to the chamber, then set down under control.

Key points

Power comes from hip rotation and the support-foot pivot.
Snap from a folded knee — do not lift the whole leg.
Recoil the foot every time; never leave it hanging.

Common mistakes

Not pivoting the supporting foot enough, so the hips can’t open (and the knee is strained).

Lifting the leg instead of snapping from a chambered knee.

Dropping the hands or leaning the head away to reach height.

Leaving the leg extended with no snap-back.

Where you’ll see it

Mawashi-geri is not part of the classical Shotokan kata — it is a kihon (basics) and kumite (sparring) technique, and one of the highest-scoring kicks in competition. The kicks you meet in the kata are mae-geri (front), yoko-geri (side) and ushiro-geri (back).

Application (bunkai)分解

At sparring range it whips around a guard into the ribs, thigh or head — the arc lets it curve past a straight defence, which is why it is a favourite counter and combination finisher in kumite.

Note: applications are interpretive and one shape carries several valid uses — explore them with a qualified instructor.

Watch a reference performance演武

To see Mawashi-geri performed at full speed, watch instructor demonstrations:

▶ Watch “Mawashi-geri” on YouTube

Related techniques

Mae-geri前蹴り Yoko-geri横蹴り Zenkutsu-dachi前屈立ち

Mawashi-geri — frequently asked questions

What part of the foot do you use for mawashi-geri?

The ball of the foot (toes pulled back) for classical mid-level kicks, or the instep for head height and sport kumite. The striking surface depends on the target.

Is mawashi-geri in any Shotokan kata?

No — it is a kihon and kumite technique, not found in the standard classical kata. The kicks you meet in the kata are mae-geri, yoko-geri and ushiro-geri.

Why do you pivot the supporting foot?

To open the hips so hip rotation — the real power source — can drive the kick, and to protect the supporting knee.

What is the difference between a Shotokan and a Kyokushin roundhouse kick?

Striking surface and target: Shotokan classically uses the ball of the foot to mid-level; Kyokushin commonly uses the shin or instep and targets the legs and head.