Flying kick
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A flying kick, in several disciplines of martial arts, is a general description of kicks that involve a running start, jump, then a kick in mid-air. Compared to a regular kick, the user is able to achieve greater momentum from the run at the start. Flying kicks are not to be mistaken for jumping kicks, which are similar maneouvres. A jumping kick is very similar to a flying kick, except that it lacks the running start and the user simply jumps and kicks from a stationary position.
[edit] Types of flying kicks
Flying kicks are often derived from the basic kicks. Some of the more commonly known flying kicks are the: flying side kick, flying back kick and the flying roundhouse kick, as well as the flying reverse roundhouse kick.
They are commonly practiced in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Wushu and Muay Thai for fitness, competition, as well as self defence.
[edit] Popularity
Flying kicks are a common element in martial arts films for their apparently spectacular nature. Actors such as Bruce Lee, Jet Li and Jackie Chan are just a few of the stars known to display airborne kicks.
Variants analogous to flying kicks are also seen in tricking, break dancing and gymnastics.
Many Rider Kicks are performed as flying kicks.
