720 Tornado

A 720 tornado is an advanced tricking kick that requires the athlete to complete two full rotations (720 degrees) in the air, compared to the one-and-a-half rotations (540 degrees) of the more basic 540 tornado. The move builds on the 540 by adding an additional 180 degrees of rotation before landing. It demands significantly more height, air awareness, and rotational speed than its predecessor.

The 720 tornado is typically landed on the kicking leg after completing two full midair rotations, requiring precise spotting and timing to avoid over-rotation or under-rotation. The athlete generates rotational momentum through an aggressive setup, usually a step or skip, and tightens the body in flight to maximize spin speed. Controlled landing requires absorbing impact through the knee and maintaining balance on one leg.

Before attempting a 720 tornado, a tricker should have a solid, consistently landed 540 tornado, as the 720 builds directly on that technique. Strong core strength, single-leg landing stability, and the ability to generate height through a proper takeoff are essential. Many practitioners also develop air awareness through drills on trampolines or foam pits before taking the move to flat ground.

The 720 tornado originated in martial arts competitive forms (extreme martial arts or XMA) before becoming a staple of the sport tricking community, where athletes chain kicks and flips into continuous combos. It appears in extreme martial arts weapon and weapons-free routines judged on difficulty and execution. In tricking gatherings and battles, the move serves as a benchmark of intermediate-to-advanced skill.