Sideswipe (trick)

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The Sideswipe is a more advanced tricking move 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

The performer will execute a sideswipe and will torque their body, while inverted and at the peak height, to spin a full 360 degrees while bringing the feet down to land. While this is comparable to a 540 Gyro, the two moves are different in execution and looks. The snapuswipe is considered to be an advanced move by most trickers, due to the height, timing, and spatial awareness needed before attempting this move. Although it is a sideswipe followed by another spin, is not done completely inverted as in a regular sideswipe. A snapuswipe is done with hips slightly above parallel, although most snapuswipes are done in a horizontal fashion. This move was also popularized by Steve Terada, who is one of the few to get his hips above head level while doing this move.
Sideswipe to the splits

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