The Dojo Week 2.
Roundhouses and Craftyness
Let's start this week by making sure we know how to fix last week...
This 'method' should help.
This video is a little note on how to fix your errors, and essentially build a flawless version of any move... or at least it is in the grander scheme of things.
We basically talk about fixing 'double tap' footwork in this video.
We basically talk about fixing 'double tap' footwork in this video.
This video is a little note on how to fix your errors, and essentially build a flawless version of any move... or at least it is in the grander scheme of things. We basically talk about fixing 'double tap' footwork in this video.
This week in the Dojo,
we're going to place heavy focus on the Roundhouse Kick... which is by far my favorite way to hurt people with my legs.
With this strike alone, you can tear the legs out from under your opponent, knock him unconscious, destroy his liver, and otherwise end the fight in spectacular fashion.
First, let's master the basic form...
Then we'll turn this thing into an unstoppable weapon.
Here's an old-school YouTube video I did, which will teach you the basics:
Look, this is a strike that requires focus on a number of details, but results in a ton of power. Execute these simple steps, and you will have one of the most brutal weapons in all of martial arts.
Look, this is a strike that requires focus on a number of details, but results in a ton of power. Execute these simple steps, and you will have one of the most brutal weapons in all of martial arts.
Now that you understand the general form, let's talk about placing the kick for the maximum detrimental effect, and training it to make that placement consistent.
(Roundhouse Part 2) – This is an incredibly cool lesson that takes advantage of specific weaknesses within human anatomy.
This video probably could have been one or two minutes long, but its still effing important. It contains the secret weak point on a persons leg, tips on turning your shins into weapons, and tips on how to strike the weak point more consistently.
This video probably could have been one or two minutes long, but its still effing important. It contains the secret weak point on a persons leg, tips on turning your shins into weapons, and tips on how to strike the weak point more consistently.
(Roundhouse Part 2) – This is an incredibly cool lesson that takes advantage of specific weaknesses within human anatomy. This video probably could have been one or two minutes long, but its still effing important. It contains the secret weak point on a persons leg, tips on turning your shins into weapons, and tips on how to strike the weak point more consistently.
Now of course, you need to be able to throw powerful roundhouses with both legs...
Initially, the easiest way to do that is to throw a 'Switch Kick'... but this is not the 'end all' of 'Lead Leg' Roundhouses by any means.
F.Y.I. A "Lead Leg" Roundhouse simply refers to a roundhouse that comes from the leg in the front of your stance... or the one that 'leads' your fighting style.
With the right focus on hip movement, this can be an unbelievably powerful and unexpected weapon.
Let's start with the Switch Kick:
Here's a pretty concise lesson from Week 4. of The FBP Course to lay it out for you:
This one video will teach you way more than you need to know about switch kicks, and should play a role in both the strikes that you choose to throw, and when.
This one video will teach you way more than you need to know about switch kicks, and should play a role in both the strikes that you choose to throw, and when.
Now even perfect form doesn't mean that you get to use this weapon right away...
You have to earn it first!
The concept of 'Shin Conditioning' is one that is near and dear to the hearts of people who have already 'earned' their roundhouses.
This is what determines if you get to throw this kick with reckless abandon... or for just one 'shielded kick'... at which point it becomes useless to you.
You're going to be building all of these nice weapons... I bet you're going to want to use them. Your shins better be ready to take that type of impact.
You're going to be building all of these nice weapons... I bet you're going to want to use them. Your shins better be ready to take that type of impact.
The Roundhouse from the front of your stance has the potential to be a game changing weapon, with unbelievable knockout power (and range).
However, the world of Muay Thai has somehow polluted the use of this weapon, and replaced it with far inferior 'switch kicks', when they are less than ideal in the majority of circumstances.
However, the world of Muay Thai has somehow polluted the use of this weapon, and replaced it with far inferior 'switch kicks', when they are less than ideal in the majority of circumstances.
The Roundhouse from the front of your stance has the potential to be a game changing weapon, with unbelievable knockout power (and range). However, the world of Muay Thai has somehow polluted the use of this weapon, and replaced it with far inferior 'switch kicks', when they are less than ideal in the majority of circumstances.
Now lets get a LOT deeper into the world of Roundhouses...
There is no point in writing a tiny little blurb here... if you want to know what's in this lesson, check out the stuff in the time-code breakdown!
There is no point in writing a tiny little blurb here... if you want to know what's in this lesson, check out the stuff in the time-code breakdown!
Since we're going absolutely ape-shit on roundhouses this week...
Here's a lesson which will help you retrain any 'snap' roundhouses with a prolonged powerful impact.
Having identified a few roundhouse errors as people who bought this course submit videos of themselves training, I figured it was about time that you all develop the ability to shatter people's ribs during a kick.
This video will give you the adjustments that you need, AND aid in the angle taking process.
This video will give you the adjustments that you need, AND aid in the angle taking process.
Having identified a few roundhouse errors as people who bought this course submit videos of themselves training, I figured it was about time that you all develop the ability to shatter people's ribs during a kick. This video will give you the adjustments that you need, AND aid in the angle taking process.
This incredibly simple set up is the main reason why CroCop almost killed about 30 different people in the ring.
This incredibly simple set up is the main reason why CroCop almost killed about 30 different people in the ring.
Now here's a couple of bonuses... that I didn't make:
Since we briefly talked about 'Sweeping Feet' in the ridiculously long lesson, I want you to have a deeper understanding of the movement that actually makes this possible.
I love this first boring old guy... I just can't help it.
Master this move, and you will drop your opponents in many glorious situations... not just when sweeping under a shield.
Master this move, and you will drop your opponents in many glorious situations... not just when sweeping under a shield.
For some reason, when I first saw this lesson, the 'principle' really clicked with me, and I began landing this sweep with much more efficiency.
For some reason, when I first saw this lesson, the 'principle' really clicked with me, and I began landing this sweep with much more efficiency.
Time Codes For The Long Video
Heel Tucks -
The most important roundhouse flexibility55 drill ever.
Notes about not telegraphing your kicks by switching your lead foot to the rear.
(0:50 - 3:16)
Drilling 'Roundhouse Misses'
Practicing following through your roundhouse, so you don’t fall if you ever actually miss. (Also, building the ability to cut through your opponent.)
‘Spotting’ Your target to reduce dizziness, and (and maintain visual contact)
Stepping ‘on the line’ so your ‘kick miss’ still helps you to take an angle, and maintain balance.
(3:16 - 5:16)
Roundhouse Leg Raises -
Building the ab and core strength to throw effortless roundhouses.
Some flexibility fundamentals, and cool tricks to build it.
Improving your ability to throw more roundhouses per round.
(5:16 - 9:15)
Roundhouse Kicks From an Isolated Chambered Position -
This drill will add tremendous balance, power, and control to your roundhouses. You’ll have the ability to ‘delay’ your kicks, and fire them when you need them.
We also discuss physical imbalances that will deter your technique, the importance of arm swing, and the value of a strong ‘standing leg’.
(9:15 - 19:00)
The Bag Dance - Creating a seamless stream of non-stop kicks, developing timing, power, and distancing in your kicks.
Waiting for kicks in a chambered position
Creating extra distance for you kick by chambering to the outside.
Blasting your foot into the ground to decrease the coefficient of static friction.
(19:00 - 26:08)
Countering your opponent’s defense to a low roundhouse:
Using distractions to make your percentage of success higher.
Sweeping under the shield… spinning through your kick, staying ‘on the line’, aiming low on your opponent’s leg, or utlizing “High Shin” to increase the mass behind your kick
(26:08 - 32:40)
Throwing Practice Kicks That Don’t Hurt or Annoy People:
…and fixing John’s kicks with surgeon like precision.
(32:40 - 34:30)
Sweeping Under the Shield and Hooking Your Opponent's Leg
(34:30 - 37:00)
Sweeping Under the Shield and Firing a Mule Kick
Transferring weight into your kick... whether your leg is bent or not. Getting used to firing this kick IN CLOSE.
BAITING your opponent into shielding, so you can mule kick him across the room.
(37:00 - End)
The Workout
Click Here to Download
Warmup -
Start with 20 Heel Tucks on each leg... progressively raising your shin and heel, higher and higher. ...shadow box for 10 seconds Hold a Static Heel Tuck in place for 30 seconds on each leg. Try to keep your torso vertical and your obliques tightly flexed the entire time. ...shadow box for 10 seconds, or until your abs stop burning
Execute 2 x 3 Minute Rounds of Shadow Boxing...
While throwing a minimum of 15 'Kick Misses' on each leg, per round.
Ok... now you're 'warm'.
1a.) Execute a set of 20 Roundhouses on Each Leg, on an object that will 'condition' your shins.
Experienced guys should kick the very base of a heavy bag... where it's ridiculously hard. DO NOT kick trees, poles, or anything else idiotic.
Beginner guys should kick the soft part of a heavy bag.
If you don't have a heavy bag, just find something to kick. Put your couch cushions against a wall and tee-off on them; we will condition your shins later.
1b.) Execute a set of 50 Roundhouses on each leg FULL POWER
Now that your 'shin conditioning' is out of the way, we build the kick itself. On your lead leg I want 25 Switch Kicks and 25 Lead Leg Roundhouses (video up by tomorrow).
On the Rear Leg, just swing away.
Rest until you're fully recovered...
2a.) Execute 30 seconds of 'The Bag Dance' -
Force yourself to fire a kick on every 'return step'.
Hold your Left Leg in The Chamber and fire 5 kicks...
...Returning to the chamber, and never letting your leg drop. (Do not wind up!)
Shadow box for 15 seconds while you recover...
2b.) Execute 30 seconds of 'The Bag Dance' -
Force yourself to fire a kick on every 'return step'.
Hold your Right Leg in The Chamber and fire 5 kicks, returning to the chamber, and never letting your leg drop. (Do not wind up!)
Shadow box for 15 seconds while you recover...
2c.) Execute 60 seconds of 'The Bag Dance' -
Force yourself to fire a kick on every 'return step'.
Hold your Left Leg in The Chamber and fire 5 kicks
...Returning to the chamber, and never letting your leg drop. (Do not wind up!)
Shadow box for 30 seconds while you recover...
2d.) Execute 60 seconds of 'The Bag Dance' -
Force yourself to fire a kick on every 'return step'... sprint the last 15 seconds.
Hold your Right Leg in The Chamber and fire 10 kicks...
Returning to the chamber, and never letting your leg drop. (If your standing leg is not burning... do 10 more)
Rest for 60 seconds, or Shadow Box for 60 seconds while you recover...
Go drink a glass of water.
Then...
3a.) Build Your 'Sweeps'
Throw 15 Extra Low Roundhouses that would 'sweep under your opponent's shield' on each leg, on the air.
3b.) Build Your 'Mule Kicks'
Throw 15 Extra Low Roundhouses that you stop early, and then throw the 'Mule Kick' off of them.
3c.) Tie It All Together
Execute a 3 Minute Round of Shadow Boxing, in which you throw 1 or 2 roundhouses, to bait your opponent into shielding, and then fire the 'Mule Kick'... on the air. Feel free to throw any other technique from this week while you move around. DO NOT STOP.
Execute a 3 Minute Round on a heavy bag (or some target) where you intentionally sweep low and miss your roundhouse, but throw the hardest Mule Kick you can. Feel free to throw any other technique from this week while you move around. DO NOT STOP.
***Just for a little extra ninja control, try LANDING your Roundhouse, but still firing the Mule Kick.
This will be very difficult, you will have almost no space, but try to make it work. Then, when you return to normal distancing, it's going to feel easy.