Jumping
Most jumps are straight upward. This means the body gains altitude but range does not change. However, there are other ways to jump. If an opponent is closing range with an attack or is close on the inside using punches, there is no room to perform a kick. To open the range for a kick, jump upward and backward at a 45° angle. If an opponent is just outside kicking range or backs up when you attack, jump upward and forward at a 45° angle. If an opponent is far out of range or keeps backing up, a flying jump is used.
Flying jumps are jumps with a running start. Take as many running steps as is required. If the lead leg will kick, jerk trailing knee upward and jump off lead foot. If the trailing leg will kick, jump off lead foot. Jump at a point that will ensure your attack strikes its target with proper focus. Jump from too far away and you will have no power in the attack and you may come up short. Jump from too close and you will not get full extension in the technique and lose power, and you may strike the target harder than intended.
Motions of a Jump
- Start from your fighting stance with your knees bent. You do not suddenly squat lower before you jump. You do not pre-jump (taking a small jump to preload the leg muscles before the main jump). All fighting stances should have bent knees, so you never have to bend them for a jump.
- Do not make any other motion with your arms or body, just jump. Jump similar to a Jack-in-the-Box, just move around as usual to lull the opponent into compliancy and then sudden jump. Do not drop the body lower before you jump. Do not pump with your arms. The only indication your opponent should have that you are jumping is seeing you suddenly seem taller. The only exception to this is when using a feign or fake movement to distract the opponent from the jump.
- When you jump, jerk your knees upward toward to your shoulders. You get upward thrust from the leg muscles performing the jump, and by jerking the knees upward you let their inertia lift you even higher. Do not pull your feet straight upward under the body; the leg muscles will not be able to apply their full force into the jump and feet will not gain much altitude. Do not lift your feet backward toward your butt like a cheerleader; this defeats the purpose of the jump since you do not gain much altitude and the feet or in a useless position for a kick. When the knees are lifted high, it means both legs are chambered for the kick. While one leg performs the kick, the other remains chambered. After the kick, the kicking leg re-chambers and then both feet return to the floor in a solid fighting stance.