The Sideswipe is a more advanced tricking

Tricking

Tricking is the informal name of a type of physical activity derived from the martial arts that includes techniques found in gymnastics, B-boying, and similar disciplines. Examples of incorporated techniques include the 540 kick from Taekwondo, the butterfly twist from Wushu, and the double leg...

 move and is sometimes called a "slant 540" or a "540 slant". While the concept is very similar to a 540

540 kick

In martial arts and tricking, the 540 kick, also known as inside turning kick, jump inside kick, tornado kick and Xuanfengjiao , is a jump kick move...

, 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

Roundhouse kick

A roundhouse kick is a kick in which the attacker swings his leg around in a semicircular motion, striking with the front of the leg or foot. This type of kick is utilized in many different martial arts and is popular in both non-contact and full-contact martial arts competitions...

, 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.

Variations

• Step-back Sideswipe A.K.A

  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

  Capoeira

  Capoeira is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences, probably beginning in the 16th century...

  
   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. Created and popularized by Steve Terada.

• Sideswipe to the splits

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

  Split (gymnastics)

  A split is a human body configuration in which the legs are parallel to each other and extended in opposite directions. Splits are performed in various athletic activities, including dance, figure skating, gymnastics, martial arts, contortionism, synchronized swimming, cheerleading and yoga...

  
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