How To Kip Up

The kip up is a popular move that gets you on your feet from a lying down on your back position.

A lot people have difficulty with this move because they lack the back and arm strength needed to push off.

It’s a good move to learn for beginners because a lot of other breakdance moves are variations of it (all the roll back moves, for example).

STARTING POSITION

Find a spot with enough room to practice, and lie down on your back (with your body straight and arms to your side).

You can do a couple sit-ups to warm up your abs, if you want to, but it's not necessary. What is necessary... is a warm up (unless you enjoy injuries... which you shouldn't).

STEP 1: PREPARING FOR THE PUSH OFF

To prepare for the push-off you will have to do 2 things:

1. Fold at the hips (so that your knees are close to your shoulders) while keeping your upper back flat on the ground, and
2. Put your hands down on each side of your head (4 to 10 inches out), with your fingers pointing towards your shoulders (work on your wrist flexibility if it's uncomfortable).

When you get in this position, remember to make yourself comfortable, because you will have to generate a lot of power during the kick up and the push off.

Practice getting into this position quickly from the lying down position. You will want to make the entire move as smooth as possible (so there won’t be a long pause between the setup and the push off).

STEP 2: KICKING AND PUSHING

You will now have to kick upwards with both legs hard, and at the same time. This will cause your body to unfold, but try to keep it as vertical as possible, at first.

Try to get your hips as high as possible when you kick... it’ll give you more time to land.

As your body gets vertical, the momentum of your kick will cause your upper body to start coming off the ground. That’s your cue to push off as hard as possible with your arms.

When you do this, you want aim for a landing on your feet. You’ll accomplish this by transferring the momentum (from your kick) from vertical to horizontal.

The momentum transferred in your legs will also help your upper body to get upright.

In theory, pushing off with your arms, should help your upper body to catch up with your lower body (as you land on your feet).

If you still have trouble getting your upper body under your feet (when you land), you should work on getting stronger arms with these bridge exercises .

GENERAL TIPS

• Remember to warm up before you try this move.
• Work on getting your hips as high as possible when you kick up (it’ll make your kip up look smoother).
• Find new ways to incorporate it into your routine (after a suicide, for example).
• Practice it regularly, if you don’t want to get worst at it.

Be creative and do something new with it!

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