Good Muay Thai kick technique starts with how your feet, hips, and arms work together. This checklist breaks the Rear Round Kick into six steps, from the entry to the reset.
Work through each step slowly before putting the whole movement together on a bag or pads.
In this post, we’ll break down a short instructional video from Paul Banasiak of Muay Thai Technician. Paul also offers a complete online training course through Online Striking Academy.
In the video, Paul films Coach Jack of Powerhouse Phuket, a gym that offers Muay Thai training camps in Thailand. They demonstrate the Rear Round Kick (Teh / เตะ), from foot placement to the return to stance.
In This Post
Watch the Video First
Video: Paul Banasiak, Muay Thai Technician on YouTube.
Check out the video, which runs under six minutes. Below, you’ll find a list of drills to help you practice perfecting your Muay Thai Round Kick.
Step 1: Line Up on the Center Line
The Setup: Start in your fighting stance, facing a heavy bag or a partner holding pads.
- Find the Center Line: Picture a line running from the middle of your target back between your feet.
- Set Your Feet: Keep one foot on each side of that line as you face the target.
- Check Your Position: Use a seam in the gym mats to check where your feet are placed.
Pro Tip: No seam on your floor? Lay down a jump rope or hand wrap to mark the line.
Step 2: Step In at 45 Degrees
The Setup: Begin in your normal stance, ready to step forward and out toward the bag.
- Lead Foot: Take a small step forward and out, at about 45 degrees.
- Lead Ankle: Open the inside of the ankle toward the bag, and come up on your toes.
- Rear Hand: Bring it across to touch your Lead Shoulder.
- Lead Hand: Let it drop down toward your pocket.
Pro Tip: Move into this start position in one step, rather than setting each part separately.
Step 3: Swing the Rear Arm to Pull the Hip
The Setup: Start with your Rear Hand touching your Lead Shoulder.
- The Arm Swing: Swing your Rear Arm backward as you kick. This swing helps pull your Rear Hip up and across the heavy bag.
- Lock the Lead Shoulder: Avoid opening your chest or pulling your Lead Shoulder back. Keep your chest facing the bag while your Rear Arm does the work.
- Drive the Hip: Your arm swing and hip drive work together. As the arm pulls back, the hip drives forward into the target.
Pro Tip: Don’t let your upper body twist unnecessarily. Keep your movement controlled and let your hips drive the kick.
Step 4: Lead With the Knee, Not a Wide Swing
The Setup: Begin from the start position, ready to lift your Rear Knee toward the target.
- Lift the Knee: Lead with your Rear Knee and drive it almost straight up.
- Cut Across: Just before impact, cut your kicking leg across into the target.
- Follow Through: At impact, your knee and hip should be past the center line of the bag.
Pro Tip: Avoid swinging your leg in a wide arc around the bag. Bring it up, then cut across.
Step 5: Step In, Then Step Back Out
The Setup: Start in your fighting stance, with your feet on opposite sides of the center line.
- Step Into Range: Step in to deliver your Rear Round Kick.
- Step Back Out: After the kick, step back toward your original position as you return to stance.
- Check Your Feet: Finish with your feet on opposite sides of the center line, as they were before the kick.
Pro Tip: Avoid staying too close after the kick, where your opponent can counterattack.
Step 6: Reset Your Hand and Foot
The Setup: As your kicking leg comes down, reset your hand and foot to face the target.
- Return Your Hand: Bring your swinging arm straight back up to guard your head.
- Turn Your Foot Back: Turn your Rear Knee and foot back to face the target as the leg comes down.
- Finish Out of Range: Complete the reset as you step back out of kicking range.
Pro Tip: Use Paul’s three cues to check your reset: hand back, foot back, back out of range.
For help with your starting position, read the Muay Thai stance basics. For another view of the kick, see a kicking lesson from two Thai trainers. For the whole kick in one lesson, read how to throw a Muay Thai Rear Round Kick.
Your Muay Thai Kick Technique Checklist
Run through this list, slowly, before every rep:
- Stance on the center line.
- Lead Foot steps out at 45 degrees, ankle open, up on the toes.
- Rear Hand touches the Lead Shoulder
- Lead Shoulder stays locked forward.
- Rear Arm swings back to pull the hip through.
- Knee drives up, then cuts across the target.
- Hip and body past the center line at impact.
- Hand back, foot back, back out of range.
Go slow at first. Speed comes later, once each step on the list happens without thinking.
Build a Better Kick in Portland
The entry, arm swing, hip drive, and return to stance all need to work together. Practice slowly, then use the checklist to see which part needs attention.
A bag can’t tell you when your shoulder opens or your knee swings wide. In my Muay Thai private lessons in Portland, Oregon, I watch your kicks and help you work through those details.
If you’re in the Portland, Oregon area, reach out to me when you’re ready. Use the contact form on TrainWithSean.com.
