How to 360 kick

An outside spin kick with a jump.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahEup2lyfFM

How to 360 kick video

Here is a video I made in 2007 for doing the 360 kick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36s0sgHMQBI

Get the 360 kick before the 540 kick

If you are just getting into tricking, then the 360 kick should be the first kick you learn.  Get it before you begin training your 540 kick.

Why the 360 kick is important

The 360 kick is important because it is a perquisite for almost as many tricks as a back flip.  It leads to dozens of advanced spin kicks, and is the most important prerequisite for the double leg.  It gets you accustomed to jump spinning, and kicking.  Duh.

Get the 360 kick now

In fact, if you are just getting into tricking, then the 360 kick should probably be the first "trick" you learn.  If you want more than just back flip tricks, then just go out now and begin working on your 360 kick.  It's that important.

How to approach learning the 360 kick

Okay, so if you do not have a martial arts background you will be at a disadvantage: because many martial arts will teach the 360 kick in their curriculum.  Even for lower ranks.

But you don't need a martial arts background.  The technique is simple, there is no fear involved, and the jump it requires is minimal.  You will need a little flexibility and a good crescent or hook kick though before proceeding.

Getting the 360 kick

1. Learn to crescent kick


2. Learn to add a spin before you do your crescent kick.


3. Practice jumping up high.


4. Practice jumping up high and spinning around.


5. Practice running, jumping, and spinning around.


6. Practice running, jumping, and spinning around while bringing up one leg.


7. Practice running, jumping, and spinning around while kicking up your one leg.


8. Land a 360 kick.

How to 360 kick step by step

 

Keep in mind:

• Enter from an angle or from the side.


• Keep your eye on your target.


• Dig and minimize foot-ground contact time.


• When you jump look around and spot your target again immediately!


• Do not look around during the jump.


• Please... Please for the love of tricking, POINT YOUR KICKING FOOT!


• Bring the kick all the way through, across and back behind you.

Specific Problem Advice:

"Jujimufu, I get lost in mid air! Help me!" - How do you get lost on a jump kick that only really has a 180 degree spin? haha.

"I'm having trouble getting my kick across my target and creating that nice, complete kick aesthetic? What can I do?" - If you can't jump high, you're simply gonna have trouble because you won't have the necessary airtime for completion.  If you can jump high, you're not turning fast enough in the jump.

"I'm having trouble keeping my body up in the air. I tend to crouch down at the shoulders when tossing the kick and it looks kind of crunched. How can I fix this?" - This is mostly do to a lack of flexibility. You are trying to get the kick up higher than your legs are capable of stretching, so your body compensates by rounding at the shoulders and crunching forward. Increase your flexibility, consciously make an effort to keep your posture ace, and keep practicing.

My experiences:

I learned this trick as a yellow belt (just after white belt) in Taekwondo when I was 14.  It was a progressive learning experience.  They started me with stretch kicks, then crescent kicks, then spin crescent kicks.  By the time I was ready to go beyond a yellow belt they had already had me doing jump spin crescent kicks (360 kicks) in class.  I learned this trick standing.  Then as I got better at it, I began using a running takeoff.