Introduction
     To most, Chucky Currie will be remembered as the person who put music to lifeless forms during the heyday of open circuit competition. But to purists, he will always be remembered as arguably the best jump kicker in tournament history. Currie’s height was legendary, his plant power lightning in a bottle. We ran into Chucky at a recent event and asked him to give us his 10 secrets to airborne supremacy.
 
INSIDE KUNG-FU: What special training will you need to become a great jump kicker?
CHUCKY CURRIE: You will need a master instructor that specializes in jump kicks (aka) flying kicks.

IKF: What Can a master teach you?
CC: You can’t learn to fly like an eagle by taking lessons from a chicken. It takes plenty of wisdom, practice, timing, focus, speed, balance, flexibility, agility, and skill.

IKF: Do you have to be light to get off the ground?
CC: If you’re too heavy you will have problems, of course. But like airplanes, rockets and jets, where there is a will, there is a way! Knowledge is power!

IKF: How long does it take to master the jump kick?
CC: It takes many years of practice, along with determination, desire, and discipline. Master the skills, the timing, focus, balance, and also the flexibility.

IKF: What forms are best for jump kicks?
CC: Every basic kick can be used for a jump kick, even advanced kicks. You can use the kicks effectively on the ground before you can use them effectively in the air!

IKF: What mistakes do beginners make?
CC: They don’t take the time to develop the basic kicks. They want to be able to fly like an eagle, but they train like chickens. No basic skills, no advance skills.

IKF: You call your style “Chuckido.” Why?
CC: Basically it means the “way of the flow.” When fighting your jump kicks should be felt before they are seen. It takes intelligence, wisdom, timing and knowledge.

IKF: What role does timing play in the process?
CC: With the right timing and skill all jump kicks can be effective. When I do my jump kicks I feel as if I am in the matrix! I can change the techniques within a thought while in the air. That is the master’s secret.

IKF: What’s the hardest kick you attempted?
CC: It was the jump triple kick. An incredible kick the crowd loves to see. But the timing has to be just right. The same can be said for the speed, balance, focus and flexibility behind the movement.

IKF: What about injuries from flying so high?
CC: I suffered a compound fracture of my right leg because I was wearing an oversized uniform. I was teaching a seminar at master Ron Marchini’s studio in Stockton, CA., in 1999. The pants legs became unfolded while I was demonstrating. I went it motion for a jump flying front kick the, wham! Luckily, I had also learned how to break my fall. The floors where made of wood. The injury was so severe I almost went into shock and died. It was a miracle that I lived.

IKF: What training benefits jump kicking?
CC: Persistent cardio, including jumping, running, leaping over obstacles, lots of sparring for timing, skills, balance, bag work, agility and a breakdown of the motions.

IKF: What is your advice to would-be kickers?
CC: The more that you train, the more you gain. Like the opening scene in the movie Enter the Dragon when the main character explains, “I don’t hit; it hits by itself.”

Up Close
Name: Chucky Currie
Height: 5-10
Weight: 185
Competition: Introduced music into forms competition
Facts: Has appeared in Rush Hour 2, Ocean’s 11, XXX State of the Union
Contact: www.chuckycurrie.com or .