How to Do a Kip Up (Kick Up)

Co-authored by John Graden

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Approved

Ever see a Jackie Chan movie and wonder how he goes from lying flat on his back to standing up in a flash? It looks like he jumps up from the floor effortlessly, but you can do it too with a little practice!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Starting Face-Up

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Get into a neutral position, with your legs straight out and your arms extended comfortably at your sides.
They can be bent at the knees, or (if you're really flexible) kept straight.^{[1]
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Keep your fingers pointed toward the tops of your shoulders.^{[2]
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Your spine beneath your shoulders and your rear should be in the air.^{[3]
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5
Kick your legs up directly into the air. The most important part is to kick upwards as hard as you can, not at an angle.
- Your body should fly into the air from the force of you kicking your legs.
6
Push hard with your hands as soon as you feel your momentum shifting upwards. Picture that you're doing a backwards push-up, and push as hard as you can.
- Try to make this movement as explosive as possible.
- There's no turning back at this point — you either complete the kick-up or land flat on your back. Time to give it your all!
When you feel that sensation of weightlessness just before you're about to fall downwards, pull your legs downward as quickly as you can. Snap them down hard, and the momentum will cause the rest of your body to whirl upwards (land on your toes first). You'll suddenly, almost magically, be on your feet.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Starting Face-Down

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Face forward but keep your neck comfortable; your chin should point downward without touching the floor. Keep your arms on the floor and bent in front of you, so that your hands are just beyond your face.
Your heels should be touching the back of your thighs.
For a face-down kip-up, you can use flat palms or fists — whichever works best for you.
Move your arms like you're doing a pushup, while flipping your legs back hard. Between the momentum in your legs and the slight push upwards from your hands, you should be able to flip into a squatting position.

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Question

How do I not hurt myself?

Community Answer

Do not practice on hard surfaces where falling could cause injury. When falling on your back, tuck your chin into your chest to prevent hitting your head.

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Is it more difficult to do this if you are tall? I'm 5' 9" and have been having trouble on the momentum pulling me up part. I get into the squat position for a second, then fall. Any tips/suggestions?

Felicity Rubiano

Community Answer

Kick harder. This is one of my problems when practicing kip-ups. Do it on soft ground first, then make it a bit harder as you progress. Height isn't a problem for parkour. Just practice, and be patient.

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Question

I have the feet right, but I can't push myself up. How do I do that?

Community Answer

You could try practicing backbends from a standing position to strengthen your core. Strengthening your arms, shoulders, and upper back helps too. Make sure to create enough momentum and do it in a swift, powerful movement.

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Tips

Don't be afraid. If you practice on soft level ground you won't hurt yourself. Don't fear the worst, just go for it.

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If you still fall on your back, you're not pushing off with your hands hard enough. You need strong triceps to do this, but give it your best and you'll get it.

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When rolling, don't pull your legs as far over your head as possible. Doing so makes you over-coil, and it prevents you from straightening out properly in the air when landing.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Make sure to do your kip-up fast. If you slowly do a kip-up, you might not have enough momentum to push yourself up into a standing position, and you may land on your back.
Try practicing on a bed or trampoline first, then try it on hard surfaces.

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Warnings

You could get injured if you try a kip up on a couch because (a) you don't have a lot of room, and (b) you can land on the top of the couch and get hurt pretty bad.

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This can be dangerous since it involves falling your back if you make a mistake. Be careful not to fall on anything sharp or blunt.

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Use a workout mat or other soft surface. This makes doing a kip-up significantly harder than on a hard surface but will protect your back from damage should you fall while trying.^{[4]
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