Jumping

To add a spin to the jump

• Although it first seems the wrong way to do it, when performing a jump-spin kick, you must first jump, then spin, and then kick. Most beginners, and many advanced students, try to spin first. This means they barely get off the floor with the jump. If you start the kick before the spin, your leg will move away from your center of balance and throw you off balance. Keep the arms in a tight guard position; if they move outward, you will be thrown off balance, and, since you will not see your opponent for a moment when the head is turned, you need to protect yourself against a counter attack.
• Also, if the spin is done properly, your head will snap around quickly at the beginning of the jump-spin. When the head suddenly stops after the spin, it takes a moment for the brain to settle down and the vision to clear.

In all spin or jump spin attacks, the head spins first. If the head spins slower than the body, the spin will be attenuated. If the head spins slower than the body, the attack will fire before you see the target. The eyes must see the target before the attack fires. This ensures you know where the target is so you will not injure your opponent. If the target has moved, you may adjust your attack accordingly, stop the attack, or possibly even change the type of attack.