How To Catch A Roundhouse Kick - Martial Arts Self-Defense

This page focuses on how to catch a roundhouse kick in a sparring or self-defense situation. Often attackers will throw a mid-level roundhouse kick in order to attack your ribs or thighs. However, this leaves them vulnerable. If you can catch this roundhouse, you can control their body and leave them open for a sweep, an attack to their captured leg, a submission technique, etc.

Instructions for Technique

• When an attacker throws a roundhouse, you should move laterally away from the kick in order to reduce the power of its impact.
• With the kick's reduced power, you can try to capture it between your arm and ribs. However, be aware that this can leave your ribs vulnerable if you did not move away quickly enough.
• Or you can attempt to grab the leg in the hook of your arm at the elbow.
• Once the roundhouse has been caught, you can attack the captured leg with a downward or vertical elbow strike, attempt to sweep your opponent's non-captured leg (as he will be stuck balancing on one leg), etc.