7 Ways To IMPROVE Your Roundhouse

[@lenglithad77]

Give us the other 25 methods for perfecting the round kick! Would love to have an even more in-depth video on the topic (Unless they're trade secrets...)

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Noted! And they aren’t secrets. Nothing is at this point. I will share anything.

[@KnightofBrokenGlass]

#1 - Master keeping both arms up - you can do it.

[@dr.floomple7529]

@@GabrielVargaOfficialas someone who has struggles with round kicks for months and heard loads of different explanations it would help a lot

[@masudkhoa3861]

@@KnightofBrokenGlass You won’t be able to generate opmital power with both hands up while kicking

[@KnightofBrokenGlass]

yeah? you do not want to be in front of me when it hits...@@masudkhoa3861 try it - you might surprise yourself instead of making excuses

[@davefair7062]

I needed to hear your opening about not being able to reach perfection in an actual fight situation, and that’s before tip #1!!!

[@AmateurHour1111]

Thank you brother. Got a fight in 20 days. He’s talking a lot on social media. I’m trying to start focused and calm. I know this should be MY fight.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Talk does nothing. Let it go without concern. You can do your communication in the ring.

[@AmateurHour1111]

@@GabrielVargaOfficialThank you.

[@featuringdantefromthedevil9749]

Let us know how it went after the fight!

[@AxaFin]

better post a video win or lose

[@xHedx34]

Can you tell me how I can get in kickboxing matches? I'm new to it and just wanted to kwon

[@shootits48]

It's interesting watching different styles of kicks. Each style of kick has it's weaknesses, i personally like the Karate roundhouse

[@biggavelle662]

Yes its faster

[@Tarnbar]

Damn so nice, I'm working on my roundkicks currently and some of these tips definitely will be my focus on the next session (especially the jamming variation of the kick)

[@akrisda1863]

Interesting about horizontal kick and I agree with you

[@cubandarknez]

the advise on the angle is a game changer. There is so much content out there which has good intentions but I feel over-focused on the horizontal angle of the kick, where even in those same videos when you see them execute the kick at normal speed they are doing that smooth A curve and not full horizontal themselves. Now obviously you can't have the kick come straight up or super close to vertical, but as is often the case, the sweet spot is somewhere in the middle.

[@The_travellingman]

Hey Gabriel! I hope you end up seeing this, I just thought of a pretty good challenge you could do for the viewer, it’s a 30 day stretch (maybe in January, because it’ll take time to make)challenge with something a little different everyday! I know if I’ll see your post something like that I’ll definitely stretch everyday😂 anyways I’m a big fan and I love you vids!!

[@karmaakabane6704]

these tips are so amazing! I'm in the mid of the video and i feel like Gabriel read my mind and knew what i struggle with u like this man

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Awesome to hear.

[@hunterlogan2913]

once again Great stuff!

[@LindsayArizono]

Yeah its hard to get my mind out of Karate mode, but I really like that last tip of bringing the leg back in for a front kick. That's gold!

[@fai3313]

🎉🎉thank you for this amazing project

[@TheAutonomousrex]

i reckon this one of your best so far.

[@hinakhodiyara7883]

Thank you for this tutorial. You are right, in that you can never stop refining this technique. Have a good one Gabriel.

[@mliao1]

4:40 Gabe owes you all a punch!

[@ahmedalhamadi1231]

Thanks mr. Gabriel. Appreciated

[@Not2Day-u5u]

Thank you for the good tutorial.

[@nvanguy6868]

I always did it the way you said to do it because i came from kyokushin, then my kickboxing coach told me to bring it across like u said not to do😂 i agree with you gabriel

[@bunmeng007]

Varga hitting 200k sub soon. Well deserved

[@luqmansonnyhalim9730]

You are genius. Please do how to improve low kick

[@techjblue]

It's mee, I'm re-chamber guy!

[@vincentlee7359]

Always re-chamber during bed cardio 😏 gotta unload all the rounds 😂

[@georgearonis1048]

Well done king 👑

[@karmaakabane6704]

this was so helpful , thank you so much

[@MrAnurajCJ]

Thank you....

[@Sacciuiguai]

4:12 It's incredible how Leon Edwards's head kick comes from almost 0 pivot. It's almost a middleground between a football kick and a round/front kick tho.

[@mesa577]

leon pivots most of the time as the rounds get longer and people get tired, technique worsens.

[@Drikkerbadevand]

And thats why Leon Edwards has the most aesthetic physique

[@adamwalker5861]

Good advice

[@nanachnanach1458]

great video thank you so nutch

[@-_ellipsis_-5219]

Thanks Gabe! What do you think about doing a video like this but for defending against round kicks?

[@chat_famm5610]

Love the content gabriel keep it up

[@AlinaAndMe]

감사합니다

[@mathildetherasse2501]

Great video as always and really useful, thanks

[@abramneitling4204]

Ya buddy!

[@Tre_ThePanda]

Man, I just need to thank you. In reality you could be profiting off of instructionals but chose to just help the community. “It’s counter-intuitive.”

[@mindfulsticks]

Some day, I want to train with you in person!

[@ronaldson57]

Great video can you post a video on different hand positing when fighting

[@kristianjensen5877]

"Kicking like a real TIE Fighter" Dang, we goin' to a long time ago in a galaxy far away on this one.

[@maker910]

Great video, Gabriel. Thank you! I would love to know these extra 25 things to improve my kick! ;)

[@JohnnyBit]

I don't fully agree with "no karate-style snappy roundkicks". If focusing on sheer "wham!" of a kick then yes, using your leg like a baseball bat in Muay Thai style roundkick is the way to go, however right in the next tip you mention kicking with slightly bent leg to deliver more inward-type roundkick... So there are places where one is better than the other :) Having more options in your arsenal is IMHO good and snappy roundkicks do have their place.

[@navinthiyambarawatte5121]

When are you on karate combat next?

[@Pettski95]

Thanks for yet another great video. I have a question Gabriel, do you have any opinions on training kicks with for example resistance bands? As in attached in the ring somewhere and some kind of velcro cuff that goes around your ankles? I guess it would be better to just kick without resistance, and train the muscles separatly at a gym or something?

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

I haven’t tried that before but did see Buakaw doing that. I would do small amount of resistance so it doesn’t change the kick motion

[@Pettski95]

@@GabrielVargaOfficial Thank you, i guess too much resistance could mess up your kick technique really bad. Right now im struggeling with kicking pads.. If i stand still, lift my knee up and extend leg , my leg gets pulled down somehow and my quads etc shakes abit but i have strong quads.. Do you think this could be related to glute/hip flexor strenght? It starts to become a issue at my waist height or slightly above. Its annoying because i have to flexibility hehe!

[@SurkovEJaeger]

One of my biggest problems in practice comes from my inability to balance properly on the ball of my foot. What's the best way to improve this? It's a glaring problem for me but I can't seem to get it right.

[@kristianjensen5877]

Balance more on the ball of your foot? xD On a serious note, the issue might be you lacking the strength in your support leg to properly balance yourself while in motion, so it might worth incorporating some strength exercises specifically targeting the stabilizing muscles in the lower leg if you aren't already doing that (eg. calf raises, single leg jumps, grabbing a weight and stretching up on your toes etc.) If you have the option of freely working on a bag, maybe do sessions focusing exclusively on getting up on your toes while kicking - eg. slow repetitions of getting on your toes while lifting your leg, while swinging your hip around for the kick, rest your shin on the bag while still on your toes, then return to neutral while staying on your toes. I don't think there's any magic to it, it's just a matter of strength and drilling the heck out of the movement.

[@SurkovEJaeger]

I think I should add a little detail to my question that's likely going to be waaay more than I think anyone cares to know. Right off the bat though, I appreciate you taking the time to answer me in the first place at all. Some years back when I still practiced traditional martial arts I had major reconstructive surgery done on both sides to correct rapidly worsening flat feet. I had a bone wedge driven into each heel to reposition the structure of the feet and both achilles tendons were severed, streched, and reattached. Nowadays my right foot is fine and I CAN balance on the ball of my right foot specifically, but the arch of the left foot has re-collapsed and I have the hardest time trying to balance on the ball of the foot there. I've specifically noticed that when attempting to raise onto the ball of the foot from a naturally resting position or from a fighting stance I especially struggle. My left heel will almost immediately sink to the ground and collapse when I raise my rear right leg into a chambered position. Surprisingly, it is much easier to get onto the ball of my left foot by stepping my left leg back and switching stances so that when I chamber my right leg I'm throwing a lead leg kick instead. There's something about planting my foot behind the hip with the foot already flexed and aligning my hip over it backwards that is much more tolerable. Once it's actually in position I can hold the balance there decently until I need to shift weight forwards. I've tried calf raises, jump rope, running and weight training to try and improve but I'm a little nervous to focus on this intensely as I ended stopping for a while after a significantly audible pop got me mid run and caused my leg to swell and bruise for some time. I ended up going back to the surgeon who told my I likely heard a collagen band pop and that I should be fine to continue being active. Though I have the suspicion that anyone unwilling or unable to go through many expensive tests will always get a bit of hand waving. TL;DR is that I can't be the only person to have had problems balancing after flat foot surgery. If you know anyone at all that recovered well or has experience throwing kicks with flat feet I'd really like to know how they managed to do this. I will try slow kicks on a bag though, I actually hadn't considered that as a means of developing strength.@@kristianjensen5877

[@kristianjensen5877]

@@SurkovEJaeger Sounds like you're having a rough time of it, but great you're keeping up with martial arts despite your challenges. Unfortunately I don't have sufficient knowledge of anatomy or physiotherapy to give you specific advice on the situation where your limitations might be due to past surgery. Isolation training of the technique does sound like a good way of going about it though - make sure to also spar with your coach about the issue as they might have some experience dealing with that type of challenge.

[@JakeSimmons-r2u]

I have seen other Muay Thai fighters teaching this kick and they say the kick should be with force. So if you miss, you would actually be spinning right around. So are we supposed to try and control it to bring it back or kick with so much force we can’t bring it back if we miss?? 🤔

[@Pettski95]

I have a strange issue, i seem to be able to kick people and the heavybag with correct technique, but on pads i cant. Could it be flexibility thing perhaps? I guess when kicking bag and people i can adjust without thinking about it but when kicking pads i have to aim

[@JBarron135]

Do more kicks shadow boxing

[@Pettski95]

I can try that im relatively new, maybe that can help@@JBarron135

[@deumsi3363]

I have the same thing

[@theunusualdispenser9474]

The problem could be the pad holder and not you

[@Pettski95]

In this case im the problem i think, my pad holder is very good, he had 300 fights and was considered among the top pad holders in Thailand aswell, so i think this one is on me hehe! He is holding the pads vertical to force correct technique i think. Anyway above my waist height, i can do a super high knee raise, but once i extend leg at for example waist line, my leg just gets pulled down. Think it's because of weak hip flexors or adductors, im not sure, my flexibility is ok. This is when standing still and just lifting up. So when kicking pads when they are slightly higher i guess i try to overcompensate due to not really being able to lift leg that high without force, and throw a shitty kick. Im trying to figure out the issue. I guess the only way i can target this issue would be isometric holds perhaps in the highest position i can go atm.@@PhetArun

[@Frenkel111]

Why is it ok in terms of power to throw your swinging hand in the opposite direction from the kick but not the guarding hand? (I get that it's more safe to have the guarding hand at that position) Awesome video! thanks for all the tips!

[@Drikkerbadevand]

Thats a very good question haha I THINK it has to do with counter balancing and not necessarily directly related to power output. Of course having great balance allows you to kick harder

[@Frenkel111]

@@Drikkerbadevand yes, but that reason applies to both hands. I thought about it and I think Gabriel view the guarding hand's movement as an indication of the torso movement and so if this hand goes forward as you kick it means you do that counter blanace movement and so your kick will not go through Thai style and is weaker because of it. Of course not every kick should be as strong and possible and having that twist in the body keeps you balanced and you can rechamber faster but then the main part of his argument comes in and as he says you should look out for a kick and not a punch. So even if you want that twist you should still have your gaurding hand where he says.

[@williebowmar7166]

​@@Frenkel111 ​throwing the same side hand back aids in balance and opens the chest, allowing you to activate the rechamber motion more quickly. It's the same reason we do it while running. Throwing the opposite hand across closes the chest and constipates the motion, reducing power of the kick. Pulling that hand opens the chest and adds power The difference is something like having a rubber band that helps return the leg after the kick, vs putting a cushion in the way. Long story short: hips and shoulders need to match. Kicks require open hips, so the shoulders/chest should be open as well.

[@Frenkel111]

@williebowmar7166 While running, we throw both arms in the same direction. One arm is straight, and one is bent, but both go in the direction opposite to the leg on the ground. I think what's going on here is more complex. The swinging arm gives you balance so it might increase the power or is just a necessary sacrifice because you can't give up balance. It's enough to have the swinging arm do that job so you don't need the gaurding arm doing that too. According to Gabriel, pulling the gaurding arm back also adds power on top of it.

[@williebowmar7166]

@@Frenkel111 everything is oriented forward in running. That's why I only referenced the similarity to running on one side. Because that side is going forward. Running is also a closed -hip motion, so you close the chest as opposed to opening it in the kick. When you throw the roundhouse, everything is rotational. The kicking leg moves forward, so that arm goes back, providing counterbalance and opening that side of the chest. The other arm pulls back to add to the rotation and opens the other side of the chest, uniting the shoulders and hips, and giving power. Keeping it in front stops the rotation of the shoulders, which hinders the power in the hips

[@Drikkerbadevand]

Gabriel why dont you make videos to sell on dynamic striking? I would buy your instructional videos

[@bingsoo9559]

I need a bit of advice on double (or just general round kicks from the same side) - I need some tips to get better at it and if any of you guys could give me some more applications of it aside from level changes.

[@chineseguy0]

Do you stand on the ball of your balancing foot the whole time while doing a round kick?

[@omaromar9427]

I heard a Muay Thai guy say that it doesn’t matter if you point your toes with your instep when landing your kicks, because they hit with their shin. Is that correct?

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Don’t know about that. What happens if your opponent moves backwards and your foot lands on something hard? Broken toes. I would always point even if I’m planning on landing with the shins.

[@omaromar9427]

Thank you, I figured that

[@M-a-k-o]

Your commitment to the sport after retiring from fighting and teaching us your tricks cannot be emphasized enough. Thank you Gabe🏆

[@oddmanout7755]

?? He's not retired?

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Not retired yet. Another 3 fights in karate combat and then we’ll see where I go.

[@davidevans7477]

Im the shoulders not moving with hips guy.

[@powdermuaythai]

every time someone says "thai fighter" all i can hear is the spaceships from star-wars in my head

[@KnightofBrokenGlass]

Sincere Question - Why swing an arm down? I never do that - I keep both arms up and I have a devastating round kick...

[@zankom417]

More momentum

[@KnightofBrokenGlass]

no - I have great kicks - they are lethal - it's not momentum - its psychological compensation@@zankom417

[@redpepper313]

5:35 Do you think a horizontal angle is bad for all types of roundhouses or only the high-kick? I find that the low-kick and/or body-kick can feel more powerful when my hip is rotated all the way to parallel or even at a slight downward angle. Also, aren’t upward roundhouse kicks kind of an innovation by fighters with shorter legs to compete with longer-legged fighters who can kick down on them?

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Good question. I don’t mind dropping the low kick or brining it horizontal. Head kick can also be horizontal because 100% power isn’t required. Body round kick, if trying for full power, is best with the slight angle up

[@redpepper313]

@@GabrielVargaOfficial Thanks for explaining! I’ll experiment with this some more.

[@YungkloutboiiRaw]

Oh my poor grandma when I get to who her my thai kicks. Thank u very much sir I'ma tell errbody u taught me how to do it😂😂 jk dawg good vid tho boss ❤️💯

[@ericgirard-realtor9813]

#3 - this is how Mma fighters kick no?

[@shibranair2461]

Wherrss ur missing 3 belts gabriel

[@reyeskickboxing8153]

Im a pro fighter and not at all at your level but I do hold a tittle , I have to say I don’t agree with tip #1 , obviously all this is just opinions over opinions as everything else what works for me might not work for you vice Versa. I counter the roundhouse kick with punches , could be because my background is boxing but I find a counter punch is always there when a kick is thrown because 99 percent of people throw a traditional Muay Thai kick dropping the hand to get power in the kick . A bit hard to explain in text but i teach to throw the kick and post with the same side instead of swinging the arm back we post it out like a jab , or like a football player would to post and defend a tackle.

[@jaakkomerilainen6421]

Can you link to a video showing this kind of a counter punch?

[@imIInjo]

i 100% understand. Im not pro yet but i eventually want to get there. In amateur muay thai and kickboxing fights, i find that a huge majority of the guys don't have sharp boxing or punching proficiency so it's much easier to work those power thai style roundhouses so i eventually got comfortable with it. I've sparred and fought a few guys who have some pretty sharp boxing and they made me think twice about my round kicks. When im forced to think and go back to the drawing board, i find that im only somewhat sucessful with round kicks when i try to switch up my tempo, start throwing boxing combinations, moving in and out and sometimes throwing leg kicks and the end of a few. After i've earned respect with my other tools, i got away with at least 1-2 power round kicks that barely landed, but only from very tight and uncomfortable angles which didn't open up often at all and with copious amounts of setups and feints before i actually felt comftable to throw it. I didn't perform my best, but it made me realize where i was at as a fighter and how hard it can be to try to adapt to someones style mid fight.

[@reyeskickboxing8153]

@@jaakkomerilainen6421 check out my amateur title fight .kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH2rmphmYs-opKMsi=Xi5nbiN0Z-IurTcL

[@reyeskickboxing8153]

@@jaakkomerilainen6421 there is couple other fights out there of me showing this . I my self have been caught by a punch or 2 while throwing a kick . Reyes vs lindi , reyes vs cavalli

[@ronmka8931]

first

[@PhumezaManzi-l6v]

COOL 😎 🆒️ 😎 😊 KICK IN SIDEVIEW CHALLENGE FOR KICKBOXING MATCH FIGHT ❤