I am NOT giving the true specifics on the kick. I'm just giving the rough idea what it looks like. Watch a kickboxing match, they do it all the time and they can kick somebody in the face with it.
What you are describing is a “roundhouse” style kick. Common in kickboxing in blows to the side of the body or the head and relies on velocity as there is not much mass behind the blow. A front kick is done kicking straight forward and striking usually with the ball of the foot and toes curled back to avoid breaking them. This kick is usually to the solar plexus, though a kick to the groin could also be done with a football style kick using the top of the foot. The front kick can have considerable mass behind the blow if leaning into the kick. A side kick is a twisting blow giving a strike with the side of the heel. The side kick can have high mass behind it due to the twisting motion of the body. In kickboxing any blow to break a leg would be a disqualification so would not be practiced. But, anyone familiar with the body and martial arts would know the ease of breaking the leg of an attacker not protecting against it.
Sounds like you are describing a roundhouse kick. I wouldn’t have used that for anything below the waist, front and sides usually have more power, but it depends on the person.
And yes, it is a common kick in kickboxing.