Quick Recovery [Kip up]

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Bourne
Posts: 1
Joined: Dec 06, 2005 12:39

Quick Recovery [Kip up]

Post by Bourne »

I would like to learn the move that gives you a quick recovery to your feet after being knocked down. I've seen it down in movies where the guy while lying on his back, rolls on to his shoulders and with is hands behind his head springs himself foward in an arch that lands him on his feet in a squated position. I've tried practicing and i can get to land on my feet but i do not have enough momentum to carry my upper body. It looks to me that the person needs to roll far as he can on his shoulders and then catapult himself with a strong push of his hands. I think i have my hands positioned correctly with my left hand thumb down at a right angle and my right hand fingers down and thumb pointing towards my head but i'm missing something. Please advise me with the correct movement and a name for this move. I hope i am clear with the move i'm talking about and haven't confused anyone. I really appreciate any help you can give me. Thank You!

Thomas Kurz
Site Admin
Posts: 443
Joined: Dec 03, 2003 08:04

Quick Recovery [Kip up]

Post by Thomas Kurz »

It is a kip up. Looks good in movies and has no use in fighting. I think I have described its correct technique once long ago. If I find it I will post it here.
Thomas Kurz
Madrej glowie dosc dwie slowie

Thomas Kurz
Site Admin
Posts: 443
Joined: Dec 03, 2003 08:04

Quick Recovery [Kip up]

Post by Thomas Kurz »

I have found my description and here it is:

Kip up

The most important technical tip is to shoot the legs up toward the sky or ceiling and not worry about swinging them under your hips. The legs are to be shot up when your body is rocking forward, i. e., your shoulders just come off the ground. If you have a strong neck you can push off with your neck, in which case both your neck and your shoulders should still touch the ground while you shoot your legs up. I consider pushing off the neck alone (no hands) easier than any other way of doing this move because the weight of hands which are not used for a pushoff can be swung closer to the center of gravity. Pushing off with the hands in addition to push off the neck makes this move a little bit more difficult coordination-wise. But the most difficult method is to do it without pushing off with hands or the neck. It requires the greatest degree of coordination and more flexibility of the legs than other methods. In this case shooting the legs has to be perfectly coordinated with the forward roll.

The prerequisites for this kip up action are strong neck and strong hip flexors.

In my opinion this technique has no fighting application. Getting up like that from the ground makes one most vulnerable to attack.
Thomas Kurz
Madrej glowie dosc dwie slowie

mat
Posts: 131
Joined: May 25, 2005 05:59

Post by mat »

I agree with Mr. Kurz that this technique isn't particularly useful in martial arts - it's much easier, quicker and safer just to get up from the floor naturally.

However, it's quite a cool move and I've always been a fan of the technique and spent many months practising it during gymnastics classes.

For me, there were two key things - you must launch off whilst rocking forward slightly. Most people I've seen try it too early - while rocking back onto their neck/shoulders. This will cause the problem you're having ie. the upper body can't keep up with the lower body.

The second thing for me was to coordinate launching the legs out with a "sitting up" movement. Imagine doing a single sit-up with explosive speed. You need to try and synchronise this movement with the launching of the legs.

I personally find it much easier to launch off with my hands on the ground beside my head, I don't know why. If I take my hands away I simply can't do it. It seems to be a coordination mental block thing and something I need to work on. I don't need to push with my hands though - I can do with just two fingers touching the floor.

I'm not sure about needing a strong neck for this technique, I've never felt any effort in my neck or the need to push with my neck/shoulders. I agree that you need strong hip flexors though.

Cheers,
Mat

backinjured
Posts: 105
Joined: Jul 03, 2005 12:19

Post by backinjured »

Is this trick really stressful in the lowerback area?

mat
Posts: 131
Joined: May 25, 2005 05:59

Post by mat »

backinjured wrote:Is this trick really stressful in the lowerback area?
I've never felt any stress or pain in the lower back area. If you do this technique correctly you don't need to arch your back very much.

Mat

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