Preparing for new tricks

Preparing for new skills

The safest way to build awareness and confidence when trying new tricks is by following these steps display basic form / body shapes > standing set > low set > high set > trick with mat > trick no mat

A set is a broken-down version of the trick that allows students to develop an understanding of the movements required to perform it before attempting the whole thing. These will usually require the trick to be performed in two stages and utilize the same take-off and flight techniques. The take-off should be practiced low to the ground when developing awareness of how it should be performed, as it is easier to calculate the timing of the movements. When the trick is being understood the student should begin adding height and focusing on patience through the take-off.

Students should be able to demonstrate control of their body by demonstrating low and high bounce sets, keeping in control of themselves throughout each phase of the trick. Once this is shown we can move on to either physically assisting them on the trampoline, throwing a pad, or letting them try it into a soft area landing before on the trampoline without assistance.

Preparing for doubles, triples, etc.

When students learn the set for a double or higher rotation and start to build confidence, they often want to push themselves too quickly. Rushing the progression to the next rotation of any kind of flip is one of the most risky aspects of freestyle trampolining and it is our job to make sure that we keep our students in check and only encourage them to take their trick to the next level when they are ready.

When preparing for a double flip it is important that students display great control and understanding of what they are doing to prevent injury. When someone learns to take a trick to 1 and ¼ rotations to their back, this does not mean they are ready to start throwing a double flip.

Here are the things a student should demonstrate before trying a new double;

• Control of the single flip with different grabs and body positions
• Low bounce 1 and ¼ flip with a strong take-off and good rotation
• High bounce 1 and ¼ flip with a patient controlled take off, opening at the peak of the bounce when the first flip is complete and slowly falling down for the last ¼ of rotation