Sideswipe (trick)

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The Sideswipe is a more advanced tricking move in the tricking community and is sometimes called a "slant 540" or a "540 slant". While the concept is very similar to a 540, the mechanics of the two kicks are vastly different. Like a 540, the same leg is used for taking off, kicking and landing, however the similarities end there. The practitioner takes a step forward with the kicking leg, and then will begin the rotate their body back towards their rear leg. After approximately 90° of rotation, the knee of the rear leg will begin to rise up while the back begins to arch backwards and body continues to rotate another 90°. From here the practitioner will jump with the planted leg and begin to swing that leg over top into the kick while looking backwards. This essentially translates the horizontal rotation into a vertical rotation. The other distinguishing feature of this kick is the path the foot travels. A 540 kick is more akin to a crescent or a roundhouse kick, while a sideswipe is more similar to a snapkick. The landing is also a distinguishing feature to this kick. It consists of landing on the ball of the kicking foot from an almost completely vertical path. Many other kicks that have a similar landing have the term "sideswipe" or "swipe" incorporated into the name. This move can be done either stationary, from a running start, or mixed into a combo.

[edit] Variations

Step-back Sideswipe

Instead of stepping forward into the trick, two steps are taken backwards and then the body cranks into the sideswipe. Ideally the body either lands in the same place it took off from or it will continue to move backwards some as it goes into the sideswipe. Popularized by Steve Terada, he also has executed and included in his forms a normal sideswipe that moves backwards.
Raiz

While many would argue that the Raiz from Capoeira has nothing to do with a sideswipe, the mechanics to the two kicks are surprisingly similar. A Raiz could be described as a sideswipe with less rotation that lands with rear leg from the take off instead of the kicking leg
Snapuswipe

A sideswipe that adds a 180-360° twisting rotation while in the air, landing on the other leg. Also popularized by Steve Terada.
Sideswipe to the splits

Like many other tricks, this too can be landed into the splits.