How do I know if I will make it all the way around when I try to do a backflip???

Question

I afraid I'm gonna like land on my head or something.

How do I know if I should try it.

I can do it on a trampoline.

Answer 1

if u land on your head u did it wrong. duh!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

almost everyone can do a back flip it is just the mind thinking you cant which screws you up if you can believe that you can do it you can. i thought the same thing for ages i knew that physically i could do it but i was to scared that somehting would go wrong. but dont try it unless you are sure you can do it.

Answer 3

Well, I suggest you do a backflip into something soft first. Just jump, tuck your knees in close, and throw back as hard as you can. I can do a backfilp on a trampoline. Still doubt I could do it standing up.

Answer 4

i'm a chicken when it comes to backflips lol i never know if i'm ever going to do it right so i haven't tried. I tell myself that whenever i have cable straps on (like the stunt people, then i'll do it) SAFETY FIRST :D

Answer 5

That's what SPOTTERS are for!

(To make sure that you don't seriously injure yourself if you don't make it all the way around.)

Answer 6

First and foremost ask for help from a qualified instructor to learn to pull this stunt correctly.  You want to create proper muscle memory so you can pull a flip forever correctly.  You might want to start with a back hand spring first.  It's a flip using your hands half way through the rotation.  It gets you comfortable going backwards before trying to do it 100% in the air.  Body position, hand position and form play a big part in getting enough height and proper tuck to make a full revolution.  

You should know gymnasts may spend a few years learning basic tumbling before ever attempting such a stunt. A back flip is a natural rotation for the human body and is considered much easier than a front flip.  One of the main reasons for this is the bodies ability to draw the knees up toward the chest to increase rotational speed while using the weight of the head to aid in amplitude and quicker backward rotation.

You can all but guarantee if you attempt a back flip without proper coaching and training you will wind up hurting yourself while learning to get it right.  I strongly recommend you find help from a high school gymnastics coach, professional coach from a local school (Kips Gymnastics or the like) or cheer instructor who specializes in stunts training.  All of these individuals can aid you in your quest to learn the back flip.  They may even allow you to use their mats if you sign a waiver and pay a nominal training fee.

Make sure you have a good six to eight inch crash pad to practice on.  It's easier to absorb a flip gone wrong than a hard floor that can be very unforgiving on toes and heads.

To attempt a back flip you will want to get  pad and stretch well before giving it a go, stretch those Abs.  Also have a spotter help you with your rotation and height if you can't quite get the feel initially.

Setup your mat and stand with your heels touching the mat behind you.  Put feet together on the floor and bring your knees together.  To aid your height and get proper amplitude you will want to swing your hands/arms down and back towards the ground gently and then throw them up and back (mostly up - focus on throwing your wrists to the sky) to increased the height of your jump as much as possible.  As you begin your swing of your arms backward (load your jump - meaning squat) you will want to bend at your knees and hips, kinda of like you are sitting back into a chair but maintain good balance, don't lean forward when you squat.  Then as you throw your arms up explode your legs sending your body up and very slightly back (you practice a few jumps without thinking about the backward rotation to get the feel of exploding up and slightly back).  As you feel your legs leave the ground you will want to look back toward the ground with your eyes and lift your knees toward your chest (only do this once you have reached the pinnacle of your jump and not before).   You should end up in a nice tight tuck position.  Use your hands to hold your legs in the tuck position at the height of your jump.  Timing is everything on tucking and opening up to find the ground once again.  

You greatest nemesis is under rotation and over rotation.  Under rotate and you will end up face first on the ground (the knee cracker, opening up to early will ensure this).  Over rotate and you could crack your skull wide open (not pleasant or likely but this is a dangerous stunt that should be spotted and coached).  Also most people won't tuck proplery and they will have a tendency to open up early and reach for the ground behind them.  Try to get over this and get used to the launch, tuck, un-tuck, stick it mentality.

If you are not comfortable tucking and flipping backwards you can practice some backward rolls to get the sensation of flipping backwards.  You can also try flipping backward into a pool with out too much fear of injury, just watch that wall.  If yoou find a coach they may have some practice equipment that can help you practice back flips on a tramp if needed.  Be careful trying to use a trampoline initially as under and over ration issues can be exaggerated by the bouncy tramp causing additional issues and danger to your attempts.

Good luck.  Remember get a coach and use crash pads to save you from injury.  Once you learn this stunt it will be yours for a lifetime.  Muscles never forget.   Good luck!

KK