Switch kick versus conventional roundhouse

[dza76wutang]

Hello Striking Brothers, I'm a grappler but have always enjoyed watching Muay Thai and MMA (although I don't enjoy participating in them, I only grapple) and I was wondering if I could get some insight on kicks:
Does the switch-kick have more power/reach/etc than a conventional roundhouse?
Is it intended to function as a feint to open up room for the kick?
Does it just exist to let you throw a roundhouse with your lead foot sparingly?
Do you guys prefer a forward step into the alternative stance or do you kind of "jump in place" to switch feet then kick?
Thanks,
A Grappler

 

[Payak]

i prefer to step,it gives me more power.
with the switch you have less time to get your feet positioned for a good hard shot.
but thats just me.

 

[dza76wutang]

i prefer to step,it gives me more power.
with the switch you have less time to get your feet positioned for a good hard shot.
but thats just me.

Thanks for jumping in. So why exactly do you use it?

 

[dubble]

The switch kick allows you to throw a kick with lead leg with power. The "switch" should consist of simultaneously stepping the rear leg forward and turning the foot outward at an angle and bringing the lead foot back, on the ball of the foot just a bit behind (laterally) the other foot. From there its pretty much the same as the round kick with the kick/follow through.
This kick is nice because it allows a hard kick at a shorter range than a regular round kick, and allows attacks from different angles.

 

[dza76wutang]

The switch kick allows you to throw a kick with lead leg with power. The "switch" should consist of simultaneously stepping the rear leg forward and turning the foot outward at an angle and bringing the lead foot back, on the ball of the foot just a bit behind (laterally) the other foot. From there its pretty much the same as the round kick with the kick/follow through.
This kick is nice because it allows a hard kick at a shorter range than a regular round kick, and allows attacks from different angles.

Thanks, this is what I was looking for pretty much.

 

[spid3yo]

I love the switch instead of the step because of the speed. It's reach is deceptive as well simply because your not taking that step forward but rather your body is staying in 1 place.

 

[FlyingArmbar]

Most reasonably experienced strikers can see a switch kick from a mile away, but its always useful to vary things up.

I prefer the jump because I often switch stances without throwing the kick, so when I do its less predictable.

 

[Sayian]

throughout the sparring session il be constantly shuffling my feet, and bam outta nowhere comes the switch kick, might take him out or might hurt him or might not do anything but it does carry the element of surprise.
TO me honestly i use a traditional stance rather than a orthodox so the normal roundhouse is alot more powerful, but that is not to say the switch kick isnt.

 

[dubble]

yeah, shuffling to keep you opponent guessing is alway a good strategy.
one of my favorite uses of the switch is when someone want to charge in swinging, especially if they are going to lead with a cross and I read it, I like to do the switch, perhaps turn my foot out a little more than usual and throw the left right up towards the liver, I've slowed down a lot of new guys with this while sparring.

 

[mjw1]

The switch kick is just one tool in the tool shed much like the step kick both have their advantages and disadvantages depending upon the situation.
However depending on you and your oponent the switch kick is a way to generate more power when kicking with the lead leg, changes up the timing, can service as a fake or draw, can close or create distance (switch forward or backwards) and set up combinations for the most part.......

 

[caelitus]

I'm just a MT hobbyist or a "tourista" so take my post with a grain of salt

Anyway, switch kick is thrown with your lead leg as opposed to your back leg. You switch to give it more power instead of just kicking from where your foot is. Stepping is also used as Payak pointed out. Switching can heavily telegraph your kick so you have to be fast. I tend to incorporate them in a combo or mask it with a jab so my opponent is focusing on my hands and doesn't see the switch.

 

[Snubnoze707]

Switch is faster, Step is harder