This article is going to teach you to throw a powerful spinning kick. This is a complex movement, so it’ll take more time to get comfortable with. That said, if you learn from the right resources, like this one, you’ll be able to progress much, much faster.
So this is what we’ll do in this article. What will we cover? You might ask. We’ll first cover the six basic steps you must know to throw a powerful spinning kick. Then, we’ll review some of the most effective and popular variations you want to familiarize yourself with. The more you know, the bigger your arsenal will be, and the more dynamic and adaptive of a fighter you’ll become.
I want to address a key point before we start with this article. I guarantee that if you follow the six basic steps to perform the spinning kick properly, you’ll be able to throw an exceptionally powerful and quick one by the end of this article.
It’ll take some practice, but you’ll be able to get it right almost immediately. The basic premise here is that you follow the basic steps, which will make you a much more capable fighter.
I want you to start practicing already; so let’s dive into the first section!
Table of Contents
How to Throw a Spinning Kick (The Right Way)
The first part of this article (this one) is going to be dedicated to learning the basic steps to throwing a damaging spinning kick. This will apply to any martial art, whether it’s MMA, Karate, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, and Kickboxing, as long as it includes kicking, of course.
This is the most important section of this article, so make sure to pay close attention. Indeed, if there was one section I would want you to pay the most attention to, it would be this one.
And now, let’s get straight into the first step!
Step #1 – Start in your Fighting Stance
The first step is to start in your fighting stance. Now, if you don’t fully trust your fighting stance yet, I wrote a complete guide to a perfect Muay Thai stance, which you definitely want to read.
Begin in your preferred fighting stance, with your feet shoulder-width apart and your guard up to protect your face.
Before you even think about learning such complex movements, you must work on your fighting stance. Without a proper one, you won’t be able to generate nearly as much force with your strikes and defend yourself properly. Therefore, make sure to start in a solid fighting stance before you even think about learning to throw a spinning kick.
If you want to improve your stance, I wrote an article on the different guard types in Muay Thai that you want to adopt. Follow the link to read it!
Step #2 – Choose the Direction
The second step is when you’re already in your fighting stance and you detect a suitable opportunity to throw a spinning kick. The most suitable scenarios are when you’re in reach of your opponent and when he’s tired. When he’s tired, he’ll be less likely to become highly aggressive and attack.
However, some scenarios will be suitable to throw a spinning kick even when your opponent isn’t tired. You just have to spar often and look for these opportunities. With sparring and fighting experience, you’ll be able to decide which kick or punch is most suitable to the scenario you’re in.
Decide on the direction of your spinning kick. For example, if you want to execute a spinning back kick with your right leg, you will rotate to your right.
Step #3 – Pivot on the Ball of Your Foot
The third step is to lift your rear foot (the one that you’ll make contact with) and start pivoting. This and the next step are connected; so you want to execute both simultaneously.
Lift your back foot slightly off the ground and pivot the ball of your front foot in the direction you want to spin. Keep your weight on the pivoting foot to maintain balance.
It’s important that you pivot on the ball of your foot, as that’ll keep you light on your feet. You’ll do everything quicker, which is what you want.
Staying on the ball of your feet is a fundamental footwork technique you learn in the first fighting class you attend. If you want to learn more about Muay Thai footwork and drills to improve it, follow this link!
Step #4 – Chamber Your Leg
As I’ve said, you want to perform the third and fourth steps together. Once you begin to pivot in the direction you chose, you want to bring your other leg’s knee toward your chest. This is a fundamental move in all essential kicks, including the Teep, Roundhouse Kick, and even the Switch Kick.
As you pivot, bring your knee up toward your chest to create momentum for the kick. Your knee should be bent at approximately 90 degrees.
This is a fundamental step to generate more force. Many people overlook this step, so they’re not able to use their entire force potential, which is unfortunate. You want to make sure you chamber your leg by bringing your knee up toward your chest, which will create momentum when you extend and make contact.
Step #5 – Extend the Kick
The fifth step is to extend your leg to kick. Once you chamber your leg and pivot successfully, you can extend your leg. This is the fun part, so make sure to enjoy every bit of it.
From the chambered position, rapidly extend your leg in a straight line toward your target. For a spinning back kick, push your heel backward, and for a spinning hook kick, extend your foot outward in a circular motion.
Step #6 – Aim and Make Contact
Focus on the target and make contact with the intended part of your foot (e.g., heel or instep). Execute the kick with control and precision.
This is how you throw a powerful and effective spinning kick. You want to make sure you follow all the steps I’ve presented in this article, as if you overlook even a single one, you won’t be able to generate as much force with your spinning kick.
Let’s now move on to variations.
Spinning Kick Variations
This section is going to be about variations you want to familiarize yourself with to master the spinning kick. While you might not want to learn them all at first, you can, and definitely should, learn and practice them after you learn the first one.
#1 – Spinning Hook Kick (With the Heel)
The spinning hook kick with the heel is a powerful variation that involves striking the target with the heel of your foot. To execute this technique:
- Start in a fighting stance and rotate your body in the direction of the kick, lifting your knee as you turn.
- Extend your leg outward and swing it in an arc toward the target.
- At the apex of the kick’s arc, snap your leg forward, leading with the heel to strike the opponent.
- Quickly retract your leg to the starting position to regain balance and be ready for follow-up techniques.
#2 – Spinning Instep Kick
This variation involves using the instep (the top part of your foot, near the ankle) to deliver the strike. It is often used to target the head or the upper body of an opponent. To perform the spinning hook kick with the instep:
- Begin in a fighting stance and initiate the spinning motion by pivoting on your support foot.
- Lift your kicking leg, bending the knee, and bring it across your body in a circular motion.
- At the highest point of the kick, extend your leg fully, and strike the target with the instep of your foot.
- Quickly retract your leg and return to the starting position.
#3 – Spinning Hook Kick With the Ball of the Foot
This variation involves striking with the ball of your foot, which is the area just below your toes. It is commonly used to target the midsection of an opponent. To perform the spinning hook kick with the ball of the foot:
- Assume a fighting stance and initiate the spinning motion by pivoting on your support foot.
- Raise your knee as you turn and swing your leg in a circular trajectory toward the target.
- Extend your leg fully and strike the opponent with the ball of your foot.
- Quickly bring your leg back to the starting position, ensuring your balance is maintained.
Final Words
The Spinning Kick is one of the most effective techniques in martial arts that utilize kicking, such as Karate, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA. It’s a kicking technique you want to familiarize yourself with and get comfortable with if one of your goals is to expand your arsenal and become a much better fighter.
So make sure to continue honing your technique until perfection—and remember—nothing truly valuable comes without any invested effort. Continue working and getting into your fighting gym, as that’s the only way you’ll see any significant results.
If you’re interested in improving your kicking power and speed, I wrote a guide that lists tips for improving kicking power and speed in all striking-based martial arts. Follow this link to learn how you can do that.
Here are other articles you’d benefit from:
Spinning Back Elbow 101 – Muay Thai & MMA Guide
How to Catch Kicks in Muay Thai – It’s Actually Simple!
Is Muay Thai and Kickboxing the Same?
6 Essential Kicks in Muay Thai & How to Perform Each One
Roundhouse Kick 101 – Muay Thai Complete Guide