Various ways to set up the Head Kick (Roundhouse) tutorial.
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Head Kick·Have Gi. Will Travel.
This is a requested follow up to a previous video compilation in which I introduced several ways to set up a high roundh…
Head Kick
SubFamilyハイキック(Hai Kikku)
TransliterationTranslation: head kick / high kick
Overview
The Head Kick subfamily covers roundhouse kicks aimed above the shoulders, targeting the opponent's jaw, temple, or neck — areas where impact produces the highest probability of knockout due to the rotational forces applied to the skull and brain. [1] Head kicks require greater flexibility and hip range of motion than body or low kicks, as the leg must travel a higher arc while maintaining speed and power. [1],[2] A clean head kick delivers massive rotational acceleration to the skull, frequently producing immediate unconsciousness, making it one of the most dramatic and decisive techniques in combat sports. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Head kicks have been prized in martial arts competition since the earliest full-contact tournaments, with taekwondo specifically rewarding head kicks with bonus points in its scoring system. [1] In Muay Thai, the head kick is considered the ultimate striking weapon, and knockouts by head kick are among the most celebrated moments in Thai boxing history. [1],[2] MMA has produced some of the sport's most iconic finishes via head kicks, including Gabriel Gonzaga's knockout of Mirko Cro Cop and Edson Barboza's spinning heel kick knockout of Terry Etim. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Head kicks are used in Muay Thai, TKD, karate, and MMA. [1]
Competition Record
Head kick knockouts are among the most spectacular finishes in MMA and kickboxing. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Ballistic leg extension or rotation — the shin or foot impacts the target at high velocity
Joints Involved — Hip (flexion/rotation), knee (extension for front kicks, flexion-extension for roundhouse), ankle (stabilised)
Force Vector — Linear (front kick/teep — hip flexion and knee extension) or rotational (roundhouse — hip rotation with shin contact)
Kinetic Chain — Pivot foot rotation → hip turn → femur whip → shin contact — the leg acts as a heavy bat with the hip as the pivot
Position & Entry
From fighting stance (rear leg) — Pivot on the lead foot, swing the rear leg in a circular arc, strike with the shin, rotate the hips fully through the target
From fighting stance (lead leg) — Switch-step or throw directly, shorter arc but faster, used for speed and range management
As counter (after checking) — Check the opponent's kick, plant the foot and immediately return the roundhouse
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Most common KO kick; generates ~1,000N force to head (Falco et al. 2009)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
WBC/Boxing — All kicks prohibited in boxing {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
Legal
— Unified MMA — Legal striking technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFKyokushin — Legal at full power to body and head {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— WT — Legal, body kick 2 points, head kick 3 points, spinn...
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF— WAKO — Legal in Full Contact and Low Kick formats
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY — Legal {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— IFMA — Legal — kicks are a core Muay Thai technique
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The head kick requires full hip turnover and flexibility — the kicking hip must rotate completely over to reach head height
✓Set up the head kick with body kicks and low kicks first to condition the opponent to defend low, then go high
✓Aim for the jaw, temple, or behind the ear — these are the targets that produce knockouts
✓Keep the kicking leg relatively straight; bending the knee to gain height reduces power and range
✓The support foot must pivot fully so the toes point backward — incomplete pivot limits height and strains the knee
✓Head kicks are the highest-KO-percentage techniques in MMA and kickboxing
✓Drill head kick flexibility daily: dynamic stretching, hip circles, and slow-motion head kicks to build the range of motion
Common Mistakes
!Not disguising the head kick and simply throwing it from neutral — the high trajectory is easy to see and duck
!Sacrificing hip rotation to gain height by leaning back — this weakens the kick dramatically
!Kicking with the instep to the head, which risks broken toes and metatarsals — use the shin
!Dropping both hands during the high kick, leaving the entire body exposed if the kick misses
!Telegraphing with a visible eye glance to the head target before kicking
!Not pivoting the support foot enough, which limits the kick height and puts dangerous stress on the knee
!Throwing head kicks when gassed — they require significant energy and flexibility, and sloppy head kicks get caught easily
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Stance and Range — verify correct distance for the kick to land at full extension
2Chamber the Leg — lift the knee to prepare the kicking trajectory
3Execute the Kick — extend the leg through the target with the appropriate striking surface
4Recover — retract the leg and return to fighting stance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (Gichin Funakoshi, 1935)
1BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [2] Karate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935) [3] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
2BookKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006) [2] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [2] Karate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935) [3] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
5CitationKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006) [2] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility, rotational hip power, balance on support leg
Favours
long legs for reach, flexible hips for high kicks
Key muscles
hip flexors, glutes, quadriceps, obliques, calves
Sub-techniques
Question Mark Kick
GenusThe Question Mark Kick is a deceptive head kick that begins with the trajectory of a body kick or front kick before curving upward at the last moment to strike the opponent's jaw or temple, tracing a path resembling a question mark. [1] The initial low or mid-level trajectory causes the opponent to drop their guard to defend the body, and the sudden upward redirection catches the now-exposed head. [1,2] The question mark kick requires exceptional hip control and the ability to change the leg's trajectory mid-flight through hip rotation and knee adjustment. [2,3]
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Standard High Kick
GenusThe Standard High Kick is the fundamental roundhouse kick delivered to head height, where the kicker rotates the hips and drives the shin or instep into the opponent's temple, jaw, or neck. [1] The technique uses the same mechanical principles as the body kick but requires the kicker to elevate the leg higher through increased hip rotation and flexibility. [1,2] The standard high kick is the most commonly attempted head kick in Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA competition. [2,3]
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Switch High Kick
GenusThe Switch High Kick is a head-level roundhouse kick preceded by a rapid switch of the feet, converting the lead leg into the kicking leg with added rear-leg power and timing disruption. [1] The switch step creates an unexpected rhythm change that can catch the opponent off guard, and the momentary stance change loads the kicking hip for a more powerful strike than a standard lead-leg high kick. [1,2] The switch high kick is particularly effective as a counter or interrupt technique, exploiting moments when the opponent is stepping forward. [2,3]
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up a head kick when I'm clinched with my opponent?
Cross face your opponent to get them off you, then push them out to create distance before stepping in and executing the kick. According to Have Gi. Will Travel, cross facing is an effective way to create the space needed for the technique.
What's an efficient way to throw a head kick without a big wide circular motion?
Come straight up with your leg like a front leg raise or axe kick, and once you're high enough, turn over and come around the back of the head or neck. This approach reduces the distance your leg travels compared to a wide curve.
How should my partner hold the pad when I'm practicing head kicks?
Your partner should let their shoulder relax and allow it to move with the impact rather than resisting the pad. This prevents rotator cuff injuries, especially when kicking with significant power.
What's a deceptive way to land a roundhouse head kick after a front kick?
Set up with a front kick that your opponent expects, then follow up immediately with a roundhouse kick. Have Gi. Will Travel demonstrates the Brazilian kick variation, where you disguise the roundhouse by using the front kick as a feint.
How does the Head Kick work?
The Head Kick subfamily covers roundhouse kicks aimed above the shoulders, targeting the opponent's jaw, temple, or neck — areas where impact produces the highest probability of knockout due to the rotational forces applied to the skull and brain. Head kicks require greater flexibility and hip range of motion than body or low kicks, as the leg must travel a higher arc while maintaining speed and power.
Where does the Head Kick come from?
Head kicks have been prized in martial arts competition since the earliest full-contact tournaments, with taekwondo specifically rewarding head kicks with bonus points in its scoring system. In Muay Thai, the head kick is considered the ultimate striking weapon, and knockouts by head kick are among the most celebrated moments in Thai boxing history.
Is the Head Kick legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal striking technique; WBC/Boxing: banned — All kicks prohibited in boxing; WKF: legal — Legal, chudan (body) kick scores 2 points, jodan (head) kick scores 3 points; Kyokushin: legal — Legal at full power to body and head; WT: legal — Legal, body kick 2 points, head kick 3 points, spinning body 4 points, spinni…; WAKO: legal — Legal in Full Contact and Low Kick formats; K: legal — 1/GLORY — Legal; IFMA: legal — Legal — kicks are a core Muay Thai technique
How dangerous is the Head Kick?
Danger rating 6/10. High — most common KO kick; generates ~1,000N force to head (Falco et al. 2009)
How do I set up the Head Kick?
The standard setup chain: Stance and Range → Chamber the Leg → Execute the Kick → Recover.
How do I defend against the Head Kick?
Standard counters include: Check (Shin Block) — raise the shin to intercept the kick before it lands / Catch and Sweep — catch the kicking leg and sweep the standing leg / Step Inside — close distance inside the kick's effective range to smother it.
What are the variants of the Head Kick?
Common variants: Standard roundhouse (rear leg) (full hip rotation, shin strikes the target); Lead leg roundhouse (switch kick) (switch-step to generate power from the lead side); Low roundhouse (leg kick) (targeting the thigh to damage the opponent's base); Head kick (high roundhouse targeting the temple or jaw).
How effective is the Head Kick in competition?
Head kick knockouts are among the most spectacular finishes in MMA and kickboxing.
What are common mistakes when doing the Head Kick?
Top errors to watch for: Not disguising the head kick and simply throwing it from neutral — the high trajectory is easy to see and duck / Sacrificing hip rotation to gain height by leaning back — this weakens the kick dramatically / Kicking with the instep to the head, which risks broken toes and metatarsals — use the shin / Dropping both hands during the high kick, leaving the entire body exposed if the kick misses.
What are other names for the Head Kick?
The Head Kick is also known as Hai Kikku, Tee Khang, Jodan Mawashi Geri, High Round Kick.