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The kick got its name from the fact that the foot travels around the house in a circular motion before making contact with the target. Important to remember is to make sure that the knee is lifted high before extending the leg, as well as maintaining a proper guard and watching your opponent. When mastered, this kick can be very versatile targeting both the upper and lower reaches of the opponent’s body. Due to the circular motion of the kick it tends to be challenging for novice students and it is important that the basic mechanics are mastered at a moderate height before attempting any high level kicks.

There are tow variations of the Roundhouse Kick. Variation #1 is the variation from where the Roundhouse name originates. That is, it is the variations that has the foot swinging "around-the-house" to strike the opponent on the side of the body or the side of the face. This is demonstrated in the diagram below which shows the two variaitons and the different paths that the striking leg follows.

In performing the Roundhouse Kick-Variation #1 ou should try to perform the following:

1. Assume a natural or fighting stance.
   
2. Keep a middle open or closed hand guard.
   
3. Open your stance by turning the heel of the foot of the lead leg inward.
   
4. Lift the knee of the striking leg up as high as possible so that it is horizontal to the ground swinging it toward the opponent.
5. Once the knee has reached the forward position extend the striking leg out while turning the heel of the supporting leg in the direction of the target.
6. Make contact with the opponent using either the heel, ball of the foot or top of the foot (instep).
7. Recoil the leg back into the original stance.

Assume a middle open or closed hand guard in a fighting stance.

Open your position by turning the heel of the lead foot inward which helps to open your hips for easier execution of the kick.

Lift the knee of the striking leg as high as possible keeping it horizontal to the ground. Keep one arm forward as a guard against an attack to the upper body.

Extend the leg to make contact with the opponent at the low, middle or upper regions either using the heel, ball of the foot or instep. Try t turn the heel of the supporting leg so that it points to the body of the opponent. This helps to roll the hips and add power to the kick.