Biomechanics of the Cheat-900

Fish
10 hours ago
4 min read

Understanding the Cheat-900 kick

The Cheat-900 is a flashy kick that requires the athlete to spin 360 degrees on the ground for the cheat step, then 360 degrees in the air, before performing the round kick... don't ask where the last 180 degrees are from. It's complicated; it will be explained below, so stay tuned.

The Take Off

Similar to tricks like the Cheat 720 (hook), the 540 round, and the Jack knife, the basic setup for tricking kicks is the Cheat Step:

Cheat Step (Set Up)

Wind Up: Start by winding your body in the opposite direction of travel and rotation. This action helps you use your body like a slingshot, pulling back before launching forward.
Unwind: Unwind your body by externally rotating your left hip and rotating your torso in the same direction. This generates the necessary rotational force.
Extend Arms: Keep your arms extended while rotating. This can help increase the rotational forces acting on your body. Internally rotate your right hip as you prepare to jump.
Swing Out: As your right leg contacts the ground for the last time, swing your left leg outward in the rotational direction. Your arms should also swing in the same direction, ready to assist in the jump.
Jump: Once you’re facing your target (like the camera in the photo), swing your left leg and arms upward by flexing your hip and shoulders. This generates upward force, making it easier to jump off the ground.

Note: The first 360 degrees were done during the cheat step; 540 degrees to go!

The cheat 900 showcases a round house kick after 900 degrees of spinning, 360 degrees on the ground while performing the cheat step and 540 degrees in the air.

Twisting posture in mid air: After jumping off the floor from the cheat step, the athlete should be facing the target already, the athlete is to keep the jumping leg (which is also the kicking leg) straight by extending the hip and knee, all while also keeping the torso extended. As for the arms, they are to be kept as close to the body as possible to keep the overall shape of the body narrow but tall.
Non-kicking leg: The non-kick leg could remain flexed or extended next to the jumping leg. Keeping it flexed would be easier for beginners as it minimises the change of posture and actions needed to be performed.
Spotting: Spotting the target before take off, and spotting the target in the air after twisting are crucial for the stability of the twist and knowing when to perform the kick.
When to kick: The kick is performed in the air, with the knowledge of performing a 540-degree spin in the air. The kick is performed at the 360-degree mark, when the athlete's entire front side of the body is facing the target. Getting good at performing the spin in the air without the kick would be recommended.
How to kick: Once the athlete is facing the target mid-air, that is when the flexion of the kicking hip and knee should be performed (the chamber), without much delay, while the body is performing the last 180 degree of the 900 degrees, the knee of the kicking leg should then extend towards the target, while both legs abduct away from each other, allowing the athlete to perform a clean round house kick at the intended target.
The landing: While the legs are apart during the kick, the landing leg externally rotates to allow the toes to be pointed down at the ground for a safe and soft landing. Knees and hips should be slightly flexed in order to protect the joints.

Strength and Conditioning

Tricks that require a lot of twisting usually rely heavily on core strength and limb control (specifically the legs), hence it would be beneficial to build the foundation:

Copenhagen side planks

The Copenhagen side planks are great for building core stability, keeping the body straight while in a side-lying position with only 1 arm and 1 leg supporting the body. In addition, the supporting leg that is used is the leg that is at the top, meaning, lying to the left side, the right leg should be supporting the body, this trains the leg to adduct while holding the body up, in turn teaching the athlete how to "squeeze their legs together" while building the strength to do so while spinning in the air.

2. Single-leg Hops

Single-leg hops build explosiveness in your one-leg jumping ability. This exercise trains your strength to absorb forces and redirect them for another jump. It also helps protect your joints from the high forces involved in a 900 landing.

Conclusion

The cheat 900, although it seems simple, requires details that can be complex. It requires a disciplined body with enough strength to maintain a specific shape in order to spin enough in the air and enough body control and awareness to kick in the correct direction. So, are you ready to take your kicking skills to the next level? Let’s get started!

For more training options, check out our Kicks of Fury sessions and elevate your skills even further!