Archive for the ‘Trampoline Tricks’ Category

How to Front Flip on a Trampoline

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

Trampolining is considered a sport which involves acrobatic skills. The basic tool in trampolining is, of course, a strong and sturdy trampoline. You probably know how to do a few tricks already on the ground. Yet, doing some acrobatic tricks on the trampoline is a lot different from doing it on a stable and unmoving space. First, you have to check if your trampoline is sturdy enough to hold your weight. Practice jumping up and down. You need to get hold of the feeling of actually bouncing. This way, you can estimate the force that the trampoline exerts on you so you know how far you would reach with every jump or trick.
The next thing is to learn a few tricks on the trampoline. The most common yet needed skills are the trampoline back flip and front flip. In this article, we will be focusing on the trampoline front flip. Since a front flip is considered a difficult stunt, it is advisable that you get the assistance of a qualified instructor. Here are the guidelines to doing a trampoline front flip successfully and safely.
Here are the steps in doing the stunt.

  1. First, you need to practice a “tuck jump”. Jump on the trampoline and bring your knees to your chest as you go up. Release when landing. Do this until you feel comfortable and at ease at doing it.
  2. When you do a tuck jump or a front flip, you must jump and land only in the middle of the trampoline. Do not travel across the trampoline as you do your trick.
  3. Now, do the “tuck move” very fast but only jumping a little. You must start on your hands and knees. Do this very fast and tight. Land on your back or butt. Practice this trick until you can do it very fast and very tight.
  4. Now, do # 3 but lift your bottom backwards or forward. Do it until you perfect the two moves.
  5. Now, for the real front flip, position yourself. Jump with your arms above your head and tuck your arms and legs as soon as you go up. Make sure your bottom is upwards.
  6. Remember always to tuck first once you are on midair. Speed is the key. Tucking fast will make your bottom go up and backwards.
  7. Land on the middle of the trampoline. You should land on your feet. If you are landing on your butt, it means you need to tuck tighter and faster.

Before performing the trick, keep in mind the following safety measures.

  1. Wear comfortable clothes.
  2. Do not start off on the side of the trampoline. Always do the trick in the middle.
  3. Do the stunt with someone watching. A qualified stunt instructor is best.
  4. Do not try the trick if you lack sleep or in medication.
  5. Before doing the trick, warm up by doing a series of small jumps and tucks.
  6. Make sure you have mastered the tuck before doing the front flip.
  7. Always tuck your tummy and bottom while doing stunts.
  8. Practice until you perfect it. Always follow safety measures before achieving higher goals.

Doing the trampoline front flip is fun yet it needs expertise. Never hurry in learning the trick as it might cause injuries.

How to Back Flip on a Trampoline

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

Trampolining is an acrobatic sport performed using a trampoline. A lot of tricks can be done from simple bouncing up and down into the difficult tricks of somersaults (flips). Somersaults can be done forwards, backwards, or sideways. Any of the three somersaults are quite dangerous. A lot of people get injured doing this trick, especially the back flip. However, a successfully done somersault trick is gratifying and mastering it is one great art.
The back flip trick is one of the most difficult stunts.I strongly advise you do it with careful assistance from a certified trampoline instructor. You can do the trick on a mat, diving board or on a trampoline. A simple back flip has three parts; the jump, the roll or tuck and the landing. You should execute the three parts perfectly to perform the back flip trick. And most of all, you should be 100% sure in doing the trick. Never keep any trace of fear or wariness. These will hamper your effectiveness in doing the trick.

Here are the steps in doing the stunt.

  • Stretch thoroughly before you begin to condition your muscles for the somersault.
  • Warm up on the trampoline by bouncing and doing simple tricks.
  • Wear relaxed clothing and either good shoes or no shoes.
  • Use plenty of space and always try to land at the center of the trampoline.
  • Keep your feet together.
  • Let your arms hang down to your sides.
  • Gather strength and jump high. Swing your arms backwards for momentum.
  • At the height of your jump begin to roll.
  • Bring your legs up into the tuck. Complete the tuck by moving your arms forward to touch your legs.
  • Use your arm strength to “pull on your knees” to aid the roll. This step will not be needed once you have mastered the trick.
  • Begin to extend your lower back towards the landing.
  • Bend your knees again as you land.

Before performing the trick, keep in mind the following safety measures.

  • Never do the stunt alone. Always have someone, who knows the trick, to watch over you.
  • Do not overdo the trick. Take a break every once in a while.
  • Be very careful as the stunt can hurt your head, neck and spinal column.
  • If you land incorrectly, never put your arms behind you in an attempt to break the fall. It could result in breaking your arms or dislocating your shoulder. Also, try not to travel (forwards, backwards, or even side to side). Work on your back flip until you can land on the same spot where you took off.
  • Keep your head in the middle and avoid throwing it back.
  • Do not do any stunts if on drugs or medications that may impair your judgment.
  • Try to always be at the center of the trampoline. Avoid its edges as it may cause you serious injuries

Once you’ve mastered the back flip trick, why not try one of the other tricks on this site, before you know it you’ll be off to the olympics!

Lazy Back Trampoline Trick

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

There are a number of trampoline tricks that you can do. You can do trampoline tricks for competitions or just do them for recreation purposes. Either way, doing trampoline tricks can really be a lot of fun and can also effectively boost up your energy. For people who want to lose weight, trampoline tricks can help spice up your usual exercises.

The Lazy Back is one of the more popular and basic trampoline tricks that you can do. It is basically a ¾ back somersault that you would do on the trampoline. When starting off with a lazy back somersault, be sure that you start doing it low. If you have been doing traditional somersaults, keep in mind that it would be a whole lot different when you do it on a trampoline. So, instead of doing piked back somersaults or do somersaults with a high jump, try to do it low first. Then if you think you already know the ropes and feel comfortable on the trampoline, you can do this trampoline tricks gradually higher and begin with piked back somersaults.

Doing Lazy Back on trampolines is quite a challenge compared when you do it on a flat surface. Remember that trampolines have a number of springs that can bounce you off once you land on your feet. Taking off is the first thing that you need to do. First, lift your hips really slowly. You may be tempted to do your somersaults take off fast, but you would come to realize that learning and doing trampoline stunts slowly at first can do you good and would be safer for you.

If you are an advanced user of the trampoline, you can do a piked back. Remember to open out in the early part of your jump and make it an objective to land on your knees and hands, then do the front drop.

There are a number of variations that you can on a Lazy Back trampoline trick. You can do the somersaults in a tucked position. As soon as you maneuvered into a tuck position, open out again in a fast rapid motion so you can go to the next position immediately. The usual position usually used for Lazy Back is somersaults on a straight layout position. This trampoline trick is advisable for more advanced users.

Just a quick reminder, do not do the layout position just yet when you are in the process of learning the Lazy Back trampoline trick. Beginners would usually go for a tuck position to get into rotation. Remember to open out and take a look at the trampoline bed when coming down. Such a process is actually a slow motion procedure in a tucked or piked position but the speed can be hastened once you are in a layout straight position.

Before you do any trampoline trick, keep in mind to put your safety first. If you do your trampoline tricks with a pair, make sure that you see how much motion room you have to prevent collision. And most importantly, do some warm up exercises and stretching before you get on your trampoline.