The butterfly kick (or b-kick) is the easiest of all Wushu jump kicks. It's simpler than other jumps because you don’t have to spin fully around or land on the same leg you jumped from. You can try the b-kick as soon as you’ve learned the basic Wushu kicks and sweeps. Butterfly kicks can be performed as individual techniques or in combinations. In Wushu competitions, butterfly kicks have a low difficulty score, but many advanced athletes still include them in their routines.
Find more Wushu jumps on the Wushu main page.
Execution
How to run into a Wushu Butterfly Kick
- Stand on your right foot, with your left toes lightly touching the floor about one foot in front of your right foot.
- Point your left arm and palm straight up—fingertips of the left hand should point to your right.
- Extend your right arm horizontally to the right, making a fist (thumb up).
- Look to your right side (chin over your right shoulder).
Note: Even though you're looking to the right, you will run toward the left.
Let your left hand lower in front of your face (toward the right) while your left leg steps out in a large, circular motion.
Walk two circular steps to the left, starting with the left leg. Keep your arms wide open and elbows extended.
Next, do a small hop on your right foot while:
- Swinging your arms to the right
- Making one final large circular step with your left leg
This builds torso tension, which helps you prepare for the takeoff.
When you land on both feet after the hop, your upper body and left arm should face where you came from, while your right arm points to your right. Your feet should be about three feet apart, in a stance similar to a Wushu bow stance.
This marks the end of the run-up and the beginning of the actual butterfly kick.
Now:
- Swing both arms and your upper body down and forward.
- Transition from your right bow stance into a horse stance, and then into a left bow stance.
- Swing your upper body low—your head should drop to about one foot above the ground, just for a moment.
This entire movement must be fast and fluid.
As your head rises again and your weight shifts onto your left leg, kick your right leg up.
Whether you're doing a butterfly kick or a butterfly twist, your right leg must be fully extended.
- Swing your right leg above horizontal level.
- Open your arms as wide as possible.
- Look straight forward—don’t look down or close your arms.
- If you look down, your legs won’t swing properly.
- If you close your arms, you’ll start twisting unintentionally.
Swing your right leg above hip level and jump off your left leg.
- Keep your gaze forward and exhale as you jump.
- Both legs should rise above hip height momentarily so your hips become the lowest point.
Landing: Land on your right leg first, then your left leg, finishing in a soft Wushu bow stance—the ideal position for another butterfly kick.
Advice
- Watch Wushu butterfly kick videos (see below).
- Make sure you strike out low enough with your head and arms during takeoff.
Exercise:
Start from the bow stance just before the jump.
- Swing out as if going into a butterfly kick.
- Kick your right leg up, ensuring both knees are fully extended.
- Open your arms and look straight forward.
- But don’t jump. Instead, keep your right leg lifted above hip height and spin 360°, like in ice dancing.
This helps you learn how to balance your b-kick using only your arms and head.
Try combos:
- Do more than two butterfly kicks in a row.
Note: Each kick should travel slightly more to the left. - Add a butterfly twist at the end of the combo.
- Combine the butterfly kick with a front sweep or other Wushu jumps/kicks/difficulty techniques.
- Build jump strength with frog jumps.
Suggestions
- Wushu Butterfly Twist
- Cartwheel without Hands in Wushu
Videos / Images
- Wushu Butterfly Kick
- Wushu Butterfly Twist
- How to Spot a Butterfly Twist
- Butterfly Twist with a Long Weapon
- Butterfly Kick Combo with Butterfly Twist at the End
