Ballistics in the Mat Kip

The purpose of this study was to determine the range and angle of leg thrust in the performance of a successful gymnastic mat kip. It was assumed that a maximum angle of leg thrust had a direct relationship to success or failure and that, all other factors being equal, the angle of leg thrust should be the determining factor for successful performance. Twenty-eight subjects from two separate male college classes participated in the experiment. The findings of the data indicated that for a successful kip the mean angle of leg thrust was 52°. For an unsuccessful kip the mean angle was 64°.