To do the Roundhouse Kick, the knee is brought up and forwards. It is as if you are going to push kick off of a wall. The grounded foot roots to the floor. The big toe is important in this grounding, as it digs and grips to the floor.
The Hip is driven accross the target, the leg extended through. You don’t need to be close, because you want full extention of the hip and leg. You make contact with the instep of the foot, or shin.
The standing leg turns out via the hip to open the kick. There is a forward tilt and lift of the pelvis to activate the entire hip. This principle is key in developing power and flexability.
Practice slowly maintaining proper timing, until you build up confidence.
