I am happy with my butterfly kick. Not bad for a guy my size (5'8" 190). I think the "tricks" help with balance, coordination, and just basic body mechanics. Plus the whole explosion factor. If you can jump, do two full rotations and kick at a target, it should make a simple 180 kick simple and somewhat accurate. I don't think anyone should look to try to do a 720 kick in combat. I don't know about actually spinning too much after the kick makes contact with something, but lining up to do a 720 (rather than a 180, 360, 540, etc.) could create some devastating speed in the kick, which is one of the reasons some of these things came about. Think of some of your forms where the form goes past the application (ie a punch, thinking about, trying to puch through, not punch at). I don't know, thats just my interpretation on tricks. I do think they are cool, I am going to start learning arials soon (just got to knock off another 10-12 lbs). OH, and happy holidays everybody.