A technique seen in both
breakdancing and
martial arts. It's performed from a
prone position, and the
legs are rocked back towards the
chest, and then quickly thrust back downwards. The force of the legs will create sort of a
whipping motion, allowing the performer to lift their
torso and let their legs go into a crouching position. The
hands can be used to help propel the upper body, but if you're really
hardcore, you won't use 'em. Not acheiving enough thrust on this move usually results in flying backwards comically (though rarely any actually painful collisions or falls happen - the most painful side effect is the
headache one gets from whipping one's head around so much).
Kip ups are generally acknowledged as the coolest way to get up from the ground (and if done well, I guess they could be useful, seeing as how a good kip up is real quick and you don't need your hands), and will often be seen in martial arts movies. Often followed by a long, cool stare at having just been knocked down in the first place.
Really dumb people might call this the "Chinese Get Up."