Flashkick

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1 Variations
2 History
3 See also
4 External links

In gymnastics and tricking, the flashkick is a type of backtuck or backflip.

There are many flashkick variants with many names. The most defining feature of this move is the fact that the leg(s) are not tucked in while flipping. Normally only one leg sticking out is required to be categorized as a flash kick, but both can be untucked as long as they are split in the direction of the flip. Many consider landing on a single leg first followed by the other leg to be a criteria of a flash kick as well. This move can be executed from either a roundoff or from standing. Going into it from a roundoff will provide the performer with more momentum and thus more height and speed.

[edit] Variations

Single leg Flash Kick (also known as a Layout)

Described above
Split leg Flash Kick (also known as a Walkover or Scissor Flip)

Described above
Flash Switch (also known as a Double Flash or Scissor Kick Flip)

This is were a normal flash kick is executed, but then the other leg is kicked out and the original leg is pulled back while in mid-air, essential replacing the first leg (hence the name "switch").
Triple Flash (also known as a Flash Double Switch or Double Kick Scissor Flip)

Popularized by Steve Terada, it is essentially a Flash Switch, but with two switches instead of one.
X-Out Flash

This is were a normal X-Out is executed, but immediately after the both legs are kicked out, they split in the direction of the flip and ends as a flash kick. (Originally the Triple Flash was done similar to this in that it was an X-Out Flash Switch)
Gainer Flash

There are a couple of variations to this one as well. Every variation of a gainer can be done as a Gainer Flash. Some tricksters have even added switches to execute Gainer Double & Triple Flashes. See also Kick the Moon
Flash Kick to the Splits

The only defining feature to this is that instead of landing solidly on both feet, the landing goes into the splits. Technically this can be done from all possible variations of the Flash Kick.

[edit] History

The term Flash Kick originated from a special move performed by Guile from the Street Fighter video game series. The video game move received its name from the flash of light that accompanied the move. The move was a back flip with one leg extended that kicked the opponent.