Cartwheel Kid –

Making Cartwheel Kicks Great Again

Meet Will Viola aka “Cartwill”

The Karate Kick no one sees coming…

Will Viola is one of those kids who makes people stop mid-sentence in a dojo and go, “Whoa—did you see that?” 😄
And the move everyone talks about? His cartwheel kick.  Will Viola grew up inside the Viola Karate / Allegheny Shotokan world, surrounded by elite competitors, coaches, and a deep family legacy in martial arts. From an early age, he blended traditional karate fundamentals with creative athletic movement—and that’s where the cartwheel kick became his signature. His dad (Bill Viola Jr.) admired Billy Blanks from the adult black belt division growing up.  Billy Blanks’ influence on the cartwheel kick makes perfect sense once you zoom out and look at how he changed martial arts culture.  Before Billy Blanks, a lot of traditional martial arts emphasized staying upright, linear, and predictable. Billy flipped that script.  In the 1980s, Billy Blanks regularly competed at tournaments hosted by Will’s grandfather (Bill Viola Sr.) in Pittsburgh. Many didn’t know that Billy fought out of Erie, Pennsylvania in his early days.  His exceptional athleticism and acrobatics stood out at a time when few competitors moved that way, inspiring an entire generation of fighters to think differently about motion and creativity.  Billy Blanks didn’t just teach kicks — he reframed movement.  This planted a seed, and as Team Kumite evolved, they kept the Western PA Cartwheel kick apart of their regular training.  The iconic kick remains a staple at Pittsburgh area tournaments.  Will is the latest generation to embrace the explosive and showstopping Cartwheel kick.

Will’s cartwheel kick isn’t just flashy—it’s functional, controlled, and fearless. The cartwheel kick became symbolic of Will’s style: Creative but disciplined, Playful yet precise, Fearless, but respectful of tradition.  It represents the next generation of karate—kids who honor the basics while pushing the art forward. Will has competed on major stages at a very young age, including representing Team USA under WAKO, WKC and ICO.  Beyond that, he’s also known as an advocate for kids with allergies as the “Allergy Sensei”—earning him the nickname “Small Hero. Big World.” The cartwheel kick is just one chapter in a much bigger story.

What Is a Karate Cartwheel Kick?

A cartwheel kick blends acrobatic movement with karate striking mechanics, using a cartwheel to attack at an unexpected angle, and deliver a kick as you land. It’s flashy—but when done correctly, it’s also functional. Will uses his movement and instincts as an angle change, a timing disruptor,  way to enter or exit safely scoring before the kick lands because the cartwheel itself pulls opponents out of position.

Phase 1: Setup & Entry

Stance

• Start from a fighting stance (zenkutsu, fighting guard, or open stance).

• Hands up, eyes forward.

Key idea: The cartwheel is an evasion, not decoration.

Entry cues

• Opponent advances or throws a strike

• You step slightly off-line to create space

• Lead hand drops toward the floor

Phase 2: Cartwheel Mechanics

Hands

• First hand touches down on the same side as your lead leg

• Second hand follows quickly

• Arms stay straight but not locked

Body

• Core tight

• Hips lift high

• Legs split wide (scissor shape)

Eyes

• Spot the target as early as possible

• Don’t let your head collapse downward

Phase 3: The Kick (Critical Part)

This is where many people mess it up.

Which leg kicks?

• Usually the rear leg

• It becomes the striking leg as your hips rotate

Kick types commonly used

• Roundhouse (mawashi geri) – most common

• Hook kick (ura mawashi) – advanced / deceptive

• Side kick (yoko geri) – rare but powerful

Key mechanics

• Hip rotation happens mid-air

• The kick snaps as the foot comes down

• Chamber → extension → recoil still applies

Phase 4: Landing & Recovery

Landing

• Kick leg lands first

• Follow immediately with the base leg

Finish

• Re-establish stance

• Hands back up

• Ready to strike again

Rule: A cartwheel kick is useless if you can’t recover fast.

Common Mistakes

❌ Turning it into a gymnastics cartwheel
❌ Dropping the head too low
❌ No hip rotation on the kick
❌ Landing flat-footed and off-balance
❌ Kicking too late (after landing)

Why It Works (When Used Right)

✔ Creates lateral movement
✔ Breaks opponent’s timing
✔ Changes height and angle dramatically
✔ Distracts the eyes and guard
✔ Scores well in point sparring and forms

Coaching & Training Tips

• Drill cartwheel → no kick first

• Then add slow-motion kicks

• Practice hand placement on lines

• Use pads at waist height

• Film from the side to check hip rotation

Will Viola – Martial Arts Timeline