កាត់ជើង
Kat Keng (Roundhouse Kick)
Difficulty: BeginnerAll Strikes
The roundhouse kick is the most fundamental and commonly used kick in Kun Khmer, delivered with the shin in a circular arc targeting the legs, body, or head. It is a versatile weapon that can be used at all ranges and is often the primary scoring kick in competition.
Steps
- From your fighting stance, step the lead foot slightly outward at a 45-degree angle to open the hip.
- Rotate on the ball of the lead foot while swinging the rear leg in a circular arc, keeping the shin as the striking surface.
- Drive the hip through the target, turning the supporting foot so the heel points toward the opponent.
- Follow through the target and allow the kick to arc naturally back to your stance, or step down forward into a new position.
Key Points
- The power comes from hip rotation and turning the whole body, not from muscling the leg through.
- Strike with the shin, not the foot — the shin is harder and the kick is more powerful with the larger surface area.
- The supporting foot should pivot almost 180 degrees, allowing full hip extension through the target.
Common Mistakes
- Not pivoting the supporting foot, which limits hip rotation and drastically reduces power.
- Striking with the top of the foot instead of the shin, which is weaker and risks foot injuries.
- Dropping the hands while kicking, exposing the head to counter-strikes.
Targets
- Thigh (outer)
- Ribs
- Arms
- Head
- Calf
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Last updated: August 2026