Dropkick A dropkick is an attacking maneuver in wrestling . It is defined as an attack where the wrestler jumps up and kicks the opponent with the soles of both feet , this sees the wrestler twist as they jump so that when the feet connect with the opponent one foot is raised higher than the other ( depending on which way they twist ) and the wrestler falls back to the mat on their side , or front . This is commonly employed by light and nimble wrestlers who can take advantage of their agility , and is often executed on a charging opponent , or while charging at an opponent . The most basic form of a dropkick , but potentially the hardest to pull off , is a standing dropkick where the wrestler catches a standing or running opponent with a standard dropkick from a standing position . In order to be pulled off effectively , it requires great leg strength in order to gain elevation . The dropkick is said to have been invented by Abe Coleman , and made popular by Antonino Rocca . Many other users have adopted the basic standing dropkick as a signature move . On the other hand , Erik Watts once performed a dropkick that was so low ( barely reaching his opponent ' s thighs ) and unconvincing that some observers referred to it as more of a belly flop than a dropkick , and others sarcastically suggested a " Watts Scale " for botch ed dropkicks akin to the " Muta Scale " used for rating bladejobs . Despite its normal application as a staged attack in pro wrestling , dropkicks have occasionally been used in mixed martial arts competition by fighters such as Ikuhisa Minowa , though usually with only limited noticeable effect on the recipient . Other variations . Baseball slide . The wrestler runs and slides feet first at the opponent , kicking them with both feet , like a baseball player sliding into a base . It is usually performed by a wrestler in the ring or on the ring apron against the head or upper torso of a wrestler standing outside of the ring . A baseball slide can also be used to counter an Irish whip , as the whipped wrestler slides before they can hit the ropes , and it can be used to slide under an opponent , by going between his / her legs . Corner dropkick . The wrestler sets up the opponent , usually seated at a corner turnbuckle and hits him with a dropkick . The most common variation of this is a rope aided version , which is most notably used by WWE wrestler Jeff Hardy as a signature move . The wrestler uses the ring ropes to elevate his body , connecting with a dropkick to the opponent ' s chest upon landing . Kazarian uses the corner dropkick on an opponent followed by kip - up . Evan Bourne slingshots in from the ring apron before connecting with the dropkick . This is not to be confused with the Corner - to - Corner missile dropkick . The two - man version of this dropkick is best known as Poetry in Motion . Front dropkick . A front dropkick is an attack where the wrestler jumps up and kicks forward so that they hit the opponent with the soles of both feet , without twisting like a normal dropkick , this enables the wrestler to fall backwards to the mat , landing on their upper back and shoulder area . This is often used to attack lower parts of the opponent than the normal dropkick . A low version of this move can also be known as a Basement Dropkick . This move is also used when charging at an opponent is sitting or kneeling on the ground so that the feet will connect with the opponent ' s head . Dolph Ziggler is seen to use this on every match of him , he called it " The Perfect Dropkick " . Missile dropkick . Also known as a diving dropkick , a missile dropkick is an attack where the wrestler jumps off the top turnbuckle and executes the dropkick on a standing opponent . Corner - to - corner missile dropkick . In the variant , the attacking wrestler first places an opponent so they are sat on the mat in one of the corners of ring before then ascending to the top rope / second rope of the corner at the opposite end of the ring ropes . From here the wrestler leaps the length or width of the ring , and performs a front dropkick to the opponent . Shane McMahon calls this move the Coast to Coast . Often this will see a weapon , or foreign object , placed in front of the opponent ' s head usually wedged between the bottom and middle rope of the ring . Rob Van Dam popularized the move in the U . S . under the name the Van Terminator hitting a chair into the opponent ' s face , when he doesn ' t have assistance from a tag team partner or manager he sometimes takes the weapon with him when executing the jump . Shane McMahon has also further popularized this move , with the use of a trash can . Dropsault . Also known as a standing moonsault ; a dropsault is an attack where the wrestler jumps up and kicks the opponent with both feet and then executes a backflip , landing on the mat chest - first . The move was popularized by Paul London . Sometimes this move can see the wrestler land chest - first on " another " opponent . Many wrestlers perform this move with great care , as any slight twist in their body can injure them . Single leg running dropkick . In this dropkick an attacking wrestler runs towards an opponent and jumps up sideways striking an opponent ' s head or chin with the sole of their highest foot . Samoa Joe is known for using a variation of this known as a " single leg front dropkick " where he jumps up but not to his side . This version can also be described as a jumping big boot . Springboard dropkick . This is a springboard version of the missile dropkick . Most notably used by Chris Jericho , the most common springboard dropkick involves the attacker springing off the adjacent ropes before connecting with the dropkick . Since Jericho ' s opponent is on the ring apron , the opponent is sent out of the ring upon impact .