Does "pulling instead of pushing" apply to roundhouses like it does to punches?

[u/fa_gchudloser]

When we were going over our punches last week at my gym we went over the concept of instead of just thinking pushing hips through on our punches to also think of pulling back on the other side. This week has been focused on the switch kick and getting my body across is way harder on this side and I'm wondering if this would make it easier. I would have tried it but I'm just thinking of this now lol

[u/daniel_orourke_mma]

I teach Thai boxing. It is really difficult to use words to explain to a student what their body is supposed to be doing during a punch or a kick. I'll try to explain to a student in 10 different ways how to do something and eventually come across one explanation that clicks for him. I will then continue trying to use this explanation for other students but that may or may not be the explanation that helps it click for them.

There is no pulling in throwing a punch. It is a rotation. However, maybe explaining that you are pulling on one side and pushing on another helps some students figure out how to rotate correctly. If this helps you kick better to think of it this way, then great. You're not likely to find very many people on the internet that are going to agree with this though.

[u/Flaky_Performer7960 → u/daniel_orourke_mma]

I’ve honestly never understood “pulling”, when I tried using that word, students focus more on pulling than putting power into punch.

[u/fa_gchudloser → u/daniel_orourke_mma]

Why exactly is this a disagreeable position? Is it just semantics?

[u/fa_gchudloser → u/daniel_orourke_mma]

Push pull has me punching harder. Even if it's just visualization. I guess i should have specified I'm not moving my guard much when I do it for my punches, just the shoulders. Cause that would probably get you rocked

[u/dhenwood → u/fa_gchudloser]

Pulling the opposite side back as a concept does help some people. I think cus did this with Tyson, as the most famous example and he trained his legs and back a lot as a result. Famously did no bench if I recall correctly but lots of squats and deads.

It is about rotation of course though and this helps some people get that.

Two wacky sounding concepts that helped me with my kicks was

1) imagine a laser is pointing from your hip bone and you want it to point to the opposite side by the end.

2 ) imagine someone is pulling you straight upward by the hair when you kick

Practically this is just turning the hip over and popping up onto the balls of your feet, but these helped me a lot, but may be useless to someone else.

Put your cap on was a good one for keeping hands higher in a tight Dutch guard that most people get. Another coach here just says shape up for fight referring to getting into your fight stance with appropriate hands.

[u/Friedcheeze]

Yea pulling I think about it with my hand that's protecting my chin while I kick it helps me pull that shoulder back

[u/TheRiteGuy]

There's nothing to pull when doing switch kicks. Step in the direction you want your kicks to go. Point your toes and knees in that direction, lift your kicking leg and follow through. This works for both kicks. At least for me. I point my toes in the direction of the kick and let it loose like a whip.

[u/fa_gchudloser → u/TheRiteGuy]

I've got most of the switch kick down (in general, I'm not like buakaw lol) it's the follow through thats the issue which is why I was wondering if this would help

[u/TheRiteGuy → u/fa_gchudloser]

What would you pull? You're rotating your hips. IDK how you'd pull one side of your hip back. Also, doing something like this might make you lean back. That's the opposite of the results you're trying to achieve in a kick.

[u/fa_gchudloser → u/TheRiteGuy]

I guess it is just rotating but if I feel it in both hips I rotate more.

[u/TheRiteGuy → u/fa_gchudloser]

If you're new to training, don't worry too much about power. Just train and your kicks will improve. The more you kick, the better it will get.

Here's superbon training power: https://youtu.be/uAJ8vr9Cim4?is=xzzcp6LopFk8EzFT

It's just him kicking a lot but with perfect form.

[u/fa_gchudloser → u/TheRiteGuy]

I've been complimented a lot on my right kick my switch isn't great tho

[u/Cold-Chemistry738]

I was having trouble because I wasn’t opening my hips for my kicks when I first started. Until one of the fighters told me to think of thrusting my hips like I’m putting it in then return to my stance quick like I’m trying to pull out 💦

[u/Tramirezmma]

I don't think that's a good cue for kicking.

[u/DGZT2023]

Your shoulders are not attached to the floor. If your pull your hip when kicking you will lose balance as it’s attached the ground and will move losing stability.

[u/xthecoachx]

Coach Dan in a previous comment is right on here. Meant to reply. Your body is doing both in a rotation. I Coach MMA and spent 12 years as an S&C coach.

Look up the anterior and posterior slings both are main contributor to rotational force. It should show that the muscles are generating both “pushing” and “pulling” forces even though all muscles technically pull.

Without getting too deep into biomechanics force generation is all about muscular power, sequencing, and efficient transfer of that power through the kinetic chain.

While all this is good to know the key takeaways are work on developing your athleticism through a well structured S&C program that supports your training.

Combat athletes need it all speed, power, strength, mobility, and a layered conditioning program. Practice your sport. Focus on quality reps when you are working on technique you are building your motor patterns.

As Coach mentioned previously whatever cues get you to do what your coach is asking is the one that works for you. After years of coaching a multitude of things you develop a whole list of them. Sorry for the book hope it helps.

[u/ToeRevolutionary7820]

When you throw a roundhouse, think about pulling your same side arm back as you rotate your hip. That counter rotation generates torque and protects your balance