Tricking
Encyclopedia
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
from Capoeira
. The sport aims to create an "aesthetic blend of flips, kicks, and twists." Tricking differs from similar arts in that expression and exploration are more heavily favored. An individual who practices tricking is typically referred to as a "trickster" or "tricker".
, an increasing emphasis on spectacular spinning, jumping or flying kicks developed during the mid-1960s with the introduction of international competitions.
NASKA (North American Sport Karate Association) now holds Creative Open and Xtreme Open divisions. Creative Open excludes inverted techniques and spinning kicks with a rotation greater than 360 degrees, while the Xtreme division is receptive to nearly any technique. Funny enough people who practicing tricking claim it is not martial arts or karate at all.
"Tricking" proper is an internet phenomenon, emerging in the early 2000s. By late 2003, the online tricking community was well-developed, bringing trickers from across the globe together. With the rise of YouTube
, trickers were able to share their videos with others and the world of tricking experienced a massive rise in popularity and interest. Also Youtube has shown young trickers new tricks and broken the tricks down for them. Since the beginning of 2008, tricking has been receiving much wider publicity and popularity among non-tricking circles due to efforts of popular tricking teams like Loopkicks, Team FS, Unito, Disastrickz, Flipmonk Sqaud, Furious Force, New Age Ninjas (NAN) and Rain City Tricking of Olympia, Washington.
Unlike many established sports, tricking has no formal rules or regulations, and there are no governing bodies that regulate the sport. Strictly speaking, participants are free to perform any kind of dramatic maneuver and call it a 'trick' - though there are certain moves which are generally accepted as tricking moves. Some tricksters (especially those who discover tricking through the Internet) tend to learn the easier moves first (such as the 540 Kick
, Aerial
, Kip-Up
, and Backflip) and try to progress through a list of recognized tricks in the perceived order of difficulty. However, how difficult a trick is will vary from person to person; certain tricks may be inexplicably easier or harder than normal for a particular trickster to learn.
Tricksters can be divided into different categories of style: some prefer performing mainly martial arts tricks (which almost always incorporate kicks into a trick), others mostly freestyle gymnastics and flips (mainly focus on doing multiple rotations and combining different types of rotations), but most tricksters mix a combination of all the disciplines. Tricksters must train their bodies hard to be able to consistently perform their tricks at any time.
Due to tricking's relatively underground status, specialized training and coaching for the activity is almost non-existent. Some practitioners come from various martial arts and gymnastics backgrounds, however the majority of tricksters are self-taught. In addition to martial arts and gymnastics foundations, tricksters usually learn from friends or other individuals who have more experience than themselves. Many tricksters, who do not have access to an environment with which to learn, train by simply reproducing movements seen in videos. A rising practice within the tricking community has been to form "teams" among friends. These groups serve not only as a form of self-encouragement for individuals, but also to build self-identity and credibility as a trickster in the community. Similarly, trainees seek aid from tricking camps and gatherings which expose tricksters to other individuals with higher levels of skill.
Practitioners usually perform the majority of their tricks on grass or plyometric flooring. Foam landing mats, trampolines or jumping jamporees are utilized to become familiar with new movements in a safe environment. In addition to practicing the movements of tricking, many tricksters improve physical fitness to compliment their training. A mutually common skill among many tricksters is body conditioning and weight training, as many of the movements within the activity require a high level of strength. Dynamic and static flexibility training is also commonly practiced by tricksters due to the high range of motion many tricks require.
In addition, there are also mini-gatherings(also known as seminars/sessions). Compared to regular gatherings where trickers from all over the world attend, mini-gatherings generally attract local trickers to a one day session. Which in turn allows local trickers to meet, trick together, and strengthen tricking in their own communities.
Some trickers choose to pair up with other trickers at competitions and perform – for example, Steve Terada and Rudy Reynon competed together in a (musical) open form.
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
that includes techniques found in gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
, B-boying
B-boying
B-boying, often called "breakdancing", is a popular style of street dance that was created and developed as part of hip-hop culture among African Americans and Latino youths in New York City. The dance consists of four primary elements: toprock, downrock, power moves and freezes...
, and similar disciplines. Examples of incorporated techniques include the 540 kick
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...
from Taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
, the butterfly twist from Wushu
Wushu (sport)
The sport of wushu is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. It was created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, in an attempt to nationalize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts...
, and the double leg
Double Leg (trick)
A Double leg is a move that originated from Capoeira but was incorporated into tricking like many other martial arts moves because of its difficulty and aesthetics. Its Capoeira name is Armada Dupla, which means a double armada. An Armada is the capoeira version of a Reverse Roundhouse kick...
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...
. The sport aims to create an "aesthetic blend of flips, kicks, and twists." Tricking differs from similar arts in that expression and exploration are more heavily favored. An individual who practices tricking is typically referred to as a "trickster" or "tricker".
History
A tendency to exhibit techniques that are more flashy and complex was observed in martial arts during the period following the 1960s, predating the current "tricking" movement. Especially in taekwondoTaekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
, an increasing emphasis on spectacular spinning, jumping or flying kicks developed during the mid-1960s with the introduction of international competitions.
NASKA (North American Sport Karate Association) now holds Creative Open and Xtreme Open divisions. Creative Open excludes inverted techniques and spinning kicks with a rotation greater than 360 degrees, while the Xtreme division is receptive to nearly any technique. Funny enough people who practicing tricking claim it is not martial arts or karate at all.
"Tricking" proper is an internet phenomenon, emerging in the early 2000s. By late 2003, the online tricking community was well-developed, bringing trickers from across the globe together. With the rise of YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, trickers were able to share their videos with others and the world of tricking experienced a massive rise in popularity and interest. Also Youtube has shown young trickers new tricks and broken the tricks down for them. Since the beginning of 2008, tricking has been receiving much wider publicity and popularity among non-tricking circles due to efforts of popular tricking teams like Loopkicks, Team FS, Unito, Disastrickz, Flipmonk Sqaud, Furious Force, New Age Ninjas (NAN) and Rain City Tricking of Olympia, Washington.
Progression
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...
, Aerial
Aerial cartwheel
An aerial cartwheel is an acrobatic move in which a cartwheel is executed without touching hands to the floor. During execution of a standard cartwheel, the performer's body is supported by the hands while transitioning through the inverted orientation, whereas an aerial cartwheel performer is...
, Kip-Up
Kip-up
Kip-up is one of several names for an acrobatic move in which a person transitions from a supine, and less commonly, a prone position, directly to a squatting position by propelling the legs, and consequently the entire body, away from the floor. The move often incorporates the use of the arms and...
, and Backflip) and try to progress through a list of recognized tricks in the perceived order of difficulty. However, how difficult a trick is will vary from person to person; certain tricks may be inexplicably easier or harder than normal for a particular trickster to learn.
Tricksters can be divided into different categories of style: some prefer performing mainly martial arts tricks (which almost always incorporate kicks into a trick), others mostly freestyle gymnastics and flips (mainly focus on doing multiple rotations and combining different types of rotations), but most tricksters mix a combination of all the disciplines. Tricksters must train their bodies hard to be able to consistently perform their tricks at any time.
Training
Practitioners usually perform the majority of their tricks on grass or plyometric flooring. Foam landing mats, trampolines or jumping jamporees are utilized to become familiar with new movements in a safe environment. In addition to practicing the movements of tricking, many tricksters improve physical fitness to compliment their training. A mutually common skill among many tricksters is body conditioning and weight training, as many of the movements within the activity require a high level of strength. Dynamic and static flexibility training is also commonly practiced by tricksters due to the high range of motion many tricks require.
Gatherings
Since its inception, gatherings have been a regular part of the tricking community. Organized by tricksters, usually with the assistance of online forums, gatherings are an opportunity for individual tricksters to showcase their styles and seek advice from other tricksters. Gatherings usually have one or more Gym Sessions, where a gymnastics center is rented out especially for the gathering.In addition, there are also mini-gatherings(also known as seminars/sessions). Compared to regular gatherings where trickers from all over the world attend, mini-gatherings generally attract local trickers to a one day session. Which in turn allows local trickers to meet, trick together, and strengthen tricking in their own communities.
Team Tricking
Trickers do not only make teams and practice together, but often perform together as well. Many teams choreograph demos which they perform at events. Not only do the demo's promote their teams, they also bring tricking out into the light for the rest of the world.Some trickers choose to pair up with other trickers at competitions and perform – for example, Steve Terada and Rudy Reynon competed together in a (musical) open form.