Backflipping on flat ground.

[Tristan23]

The last few days i decided that backflipping on flat ground would be a cool thing to be able to do. Yes, sounds dumb, but i've always been able to backflip into pools, etc, so why the hell not?

Just wondering if anyone else can do it? I'm assuming any gymnasts will tell me it's easy as anything, but hey, i'm still learning. One thing i found interesting was that i did about 3 on a tiny slope (like in the pic below) and i didn't need to tuck my legs at all. Then when i tried tucking my legs i wasn't any closer to landing them..

So any hints would be sweet, apart from the multiple video tutorials on youtube. Cheers.

No one was home at the time, so i had to take the photo on a timer, hence the slightly dodgy timing. And no, i didn't put my hands down.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y149/Tristan88/TrissyBacky.jpg

[mike-]

Yeah I can do it.

I prefer doing it off something like 30cm high so I don't have to try as hard to get the full spin.

WHen I started I just landed onto my knee's, then slowly got better.

Chicks dig it.

[leitch]

jump straight up, look at something about eye height for as long as you can, and then bring your knees up over your head.

DONT throw your head back and look for the ground, you just go straight backwards and it looks shit.

[Tristan23]

I prefer doing it off something like 30cm high so I don't have to try as hard to get the full spin.

Yeah, that's another thing, i did one off a bench seat a couple of days ago (prolly 50cms high) and that was a bit better.

Chicks dig it.

They sure do;) Did a couple today in front of some..:p

DONT throw your head back and look for the ground, you just go straight backwards and it looks shit.

I think that's what i've been doing. So i'd better stop.

[hidesy]

next time i go riding with youl have to teach us how to do it, u should try it on ure bike

[mike-]

When I do it, I generally just jump straight up, then flip on the way down, if that makes any sence?

[Tristan23]

When I do it, I generally just jump straight up, then flip on the way down, if that makes any sence?

It makes sense, but i'm just a bit scared about not flipping early enough and getting axed. Would you say a lot of it is in the jump?

[leitch]

I think that's what i've been doing. So i'd better stop.

you'll freak out the first time you try to do it - you start rotating backwards and you're trying to look at the tree/wall in front of you - but once you get the hang of it, you go lots higher, and look way better. i got to the point last year (stopped gymnastics when i stopped school) where doing standing backsaults, i would actually move forward about 10-20cm. i doubt i could do them that well now, but thats something to aim for!

[leitch]

PS - if you want to try something a bit harder, try doing standing frontsaults...

[Tristan23]

i got to the point last year (stopped gymnastics when i stopped school) where doing standing backsaults, i would actually move forward about 10-20cm. i doubt i could do them that well now, but thats something to aim for!

Is that opposed to running or out of a cartwheel or something? All the ones ive been trying have been from a standing position, although i haven't moved forward, only back maybe 10cm..

One thing that was strange i found myself doing this afternoon was i started twisting in the air, rather than going straight back. Got any ideas of why this would be? Like i mean, not the fact that i'm turning my head, but can you think of a reason for my brain to turn my head instinctually?

Maybe fear.:confused:

[leitch]

Is that opposed to running or out of a cartwheel or something? All the ones ive been trying have been from a standing position, although i haven't moved forward, only back maybe 10cm..yeah. standing - from a standing position. swing your arms up, look forwards, bring your knees up. thats good that you're only moving back a little bit - if you go back a long way (say 50cm or more) then you're throwing your head back and jumping backwards more than up.

One thing that was strange i found myself doing this afternoon was i started twisting in the air, rather than going straight back. Got any ideas of why this would be? Like i mean, not the fact that i'm turning my head, but can you think of a reason for my brain to turn my head instinctually?

Maybe fear.:confused:yeah i would say just fear. there's something certainly unnatural about jumping and rotating backwards - it takes a bit of getting used to...

[Tristan23]

yeah i would say just fear. there's something certainly unnatural about jumping and rotating backwards - it takes a bit of getting used to...

I'm gonna go hit up some sand dunes, on a gentle slope, cos i find them really easy to learn on as well.

Cheers for the help Andrew. Gives me that little more insight. And if anyone has any more comments to add, feel free.:)

[tomevo]

i read the first paragraph and i thought you ment on your bike. haha

['Ross]

I used to be able to do standing front flips easily but haven't attempted for a couple of years. Whenever I tried backflips I seemed to rotate sideways as well as backwards and could never properly land them. Probably scared. Im tempted to try them again now haha.

[Tristan23]

Whenever I tried backflips I seemed to rotate sideways as well as backwards and could never properly land them. Probably scared. Im tempted to try them again now haha.

That's my problem. It's strange, all of a sudden (since 2 days ago) i haven't been able to do them, although the previous days before then i could. So quite possibly nerves. What i'm going to do is go to some sand dunes and re-learn them, and i'd suggest it to you too:D

It's something i will get properly, without doubt. I will.;)

[LIAM?!]

PS - if you want to try something a bit harder, try doing standing frontsaults...

is a frontsault a frontflip?? if so they are easier than a backflip

[roasted]

is a frontsault a frontflip?? if so they are easier than a backflip
not really, the backie is just more intimidating, frontsault requires more strength

[leitch]

is a frontsault a frontflip?? if so they are easier than a backflip

not standing they're not.

[nickmann]

jump as high as you can and slightly backwards. when you jump throw your arms up above you head and then tuck your knees up (as if you want to knee youself in the face) and then grab you legs with your arms or just do whatever you feel comfortable with them. you can throw your head back if you want to help you. but its best to tuck in your chin:)

[arpit]

Have you guys ever landed on your head when learning?

[Tristan23]

Have you guys ever landed on your head when learning?

If you've got balls then usually the rotation of your legs and body will keep you spinning enough not to land straight on your head. Having said this though, yesterday afternoon i did manage to faceplant the ground and land myself a nice graze on the side of my head and a sore neck.

[leitch]

Have you guys ever landed on your head when learning?

not when learning, but i've done it a couple of times, yes. round-off flip sault, bailed from the backsault (don't know why - its a very basic skill in gymnastics) and landed on my head - very lucky.

[julianwisbey]

Have you guys ever landed on your head when learning?

my friend last night at a party was trying to do double front flips and back flips on a trampoline and he back flipped off the tramp on to the bars and double fronted on to his head

[leitch]

my friend last night at a party was trying to do double front flips and back flips on a trampoline and he back flipped off the tramp on to the bars and double fronted on to his head

hahah. i have a great story about that..

we were mucking around at gym one day waiting for our coach to come, playing around on a minitramp. anyway, i thought i'd just rip it in for a double (had never tried it on hard before), over rotated and kicked out wayyy too late - feet entirely missed the ground, my first point of contact was my face. everyone thought it was funny, especially the hotties from the nextdoor school who were watching from the mezzanine :o

[roasted]

I fucking hate doubles; too much overrotated faceplant action for me.

[leitch]

I fucking hate doubles; too much overrotated faceplant action for me.
haha they're awesome fun once you get used to them - i was training up punch double front on floor before i quit at the end of last year. THAT is scary...

[mike-]

Once I get the backy down, try a rodeo.

That's the backflip, but moving forwards.

I could never quite do it on flat, and you always land on your chest trying these lol.

Scariest (only in the head, can't really hurt yourself doing it) was trying to double rodeo into a foam pit from like a 2M high ledge.

[Tristan23]

haha they're awesome fun once you get used to them - i was training up punch double front on floor before i quit at the end of last year. THAT is scary...

You're making me want to take up gymnastics dude. I'm a little jelous.

[roasted]

haha they're awesome fun once you get used to them - i was training up punch double front on floor before i quit at the end of last year. THAT is scary...
haha fuckkkkk I never got that far. I did get doubles dialled but always hated the damn things, now I try to do backtucks and punch fronts up stuff. Screw punch doubles man, shit.

[leitch]

Once I get the backy down, try a rodeo.

That's the backflip, but moving forwards.

actually called a Gainer ;)
You're making me want to take up gymnastics dude. I'm a little jelous.
its tough, mate... 5 years to get to that point. its worth it even just for the strength and body control - i've lost so much strength since quitting - thins thread makes me want to go back.

[leitch]

haha fuckkkkk I never got that far. I did get doubles dialled but always hated the damn things, now I try to do backtucks and punch fronts up stuff. Screw punch doubles man, shit.

yeah i dont know how well i would have gone - never actually made it to hard - was doing them onto mats in the foam pit (at floor level, but a far cry from doing it onto the floor) and my coach wanted us to move up, but yeah.. never really happened :o

[Tristan23]

Basically all i wanna be able to do is backie on flat ground.

[leitch]

Basically all i wanna be able to do is backie on flat ground.

nah bro, this thread is too far gone, now ;)

can you show a video of your current attempts?

[mike-]

It's a good party trick.

Some people just can't do it though, even if they have the guts, they just don't have the technique.

Keep practising.

[Chalkie]

Chicks dig it.

Oh... so that's what I've been doing wrong. All this time and all I needed to learn was backies.

[Tristan23]

Oh... so that's what I've been doing wrong. All this time and all I needed to learn was backies.

Knowing where your wang chong lives is also a good start.

[Tristan23]

can you show a video of your current attempts?

Unfortunately i don't have a video on my comp at the moment. But i might just be able to russle one up in the next couple of days. Sit tight.

[Chalkie]

Knowing where your wang chong lives is also a good start.

He doesn't really have a fixed address. Moves from residence to residence.

[Hopper]

haha they're awesome fun once you get used to them - i was training up punch double front on floor before i quit at the end of last year. THAT is scary...

Whats a punch? (no smart arse answers:p)

I'm wanting to learn backflips, prob gonna start with my helmet so I don;t kill myself (I know I can still screw my neck but it is like a placebo ok) I used to be able to do layout flips or whatever those no handed cartwheely things were.

[leitch]

Whats a punch? (no smart arse answers:p)

a "punch" front sault/double front/layout etc etc is where you just run up and jump.

if you are not doing a "punch" skill (generally forward skills), you'll be doing it out of another skill.