Vlogs to Blogs
An Introduction to Beginner Trampoline Skills
Using a trampoline is a great way for beginners to practice introductory tumbling skills. Basic trampoline skills are the foundation for full tricking routines. They're super helpful for learning to make momentum and gravity work for you. This blog focuses on step-by-step instructions for some fun trampoline moves that will impress your friends and build your next routine. The moves include a backward roll, forward roll, back drop, belly drop, and seat drop.
Avoiding Injuries While Tricking
Perfecting your tricks and tumbles requires a lot of training and repetition. No matter how strong you are, tumbling can lead to injury if you don't properly stretch your muscles before and after training. Because of the often unnatural motions involved in tumbling, common injuries include torn ligaments and tendons. Serious injuries could leave you off your feet for weeks or even months, so in order to stay fit it’s important to stretch, stretch, and stretch some more. This blog includes the best stretches for training, including your legs, arms, and back.
Roundoff into other skills - Cartwheel & Roundoff Tutorial
Once you’ve mastered a cartwheel, a roundoff is just a few tweaks away. A solid roundoff is a great skill to have in order to connect tricks to others. These include the roundoff back-hand swing, roundoff back tuck, roundoff layout, and roundoff full, just to name a few. Watch the video for the specific differences between cartwheels and roundoffs, and demonstrations of roundoffs in various tricks.
How to Flash Kick
One of my all time favorite tricks is the flash kick. A spin (literally) on the back flip, a flash kick is performed with one leg extended and the other tucked. You land on one foot at a time, creating an awesome visual. As you probably know, no trick exists in a vacuum. To do a flash kick, there are prerequisites, and even if you have those, it’s all about practice. As a self-taught tumbler, I’ve spent hours, days, months, and years at the gym perfecting my tricks. My confidence comes from having done something thousands of times. That said, here’s my how-to for the perfect flash kick:
How to Do a Gainer in 5 Steps
A gainer is both a trick and an optical illusion. It’s essentially a backflip while moving forward. If this sounds tricky, that’s because it is! You can’t attempt a gainer until you’ve got your backflip down before you can do a gainer. You’ve also got to learn how to stand and which foot to start on. Read on for how to master the gainer in 5 steps, complete with a video to see it incorporated into different moves at All American Flames Gymnastix.
How To Do The Valdez: One-Handed Backspring Tutorial
A one-handed back handspring is called a Valdez, and it's the next fun trick to learn after you've perfected a regular back handspring. The Valdez is a cool inversion skill that can provide a great transition to your tumbling routine. This trick is a real crowd pleaser, because it adds an element of surprise to a routine by adding variety to a classic skill. Because the Valdez is a more advanced move it requires some mastery and a lot of training. This blog contains a step-by-step as well as extra tips for landing your next Valdez!
How to Perform a Back Handspring
A back handspring is a classic gymnastics trick that's always a crowd-pleaser. While it’s impressive to see, believe it or not, it's relatively simple to do. The key is to commit fully to your back handspring. Landing safely is also the best way to avoid injury. While you’re practicing this new skill, it’s best to have a spotter assist you with training your body awareness and practicing proper engagement. Read on to learn the basics of a back handspring and how to perform this fun trick.
Spilling My Secrets...Sitting Back Handspring Complication & Tutorial
The sitting back handspring is the move I’m asked about more and more, probably because it’s a more unique trick. You can make a sitting back handspring your own by incorporating multiple movements into it. While this one starts from a sitting position, you can’t start training for a sitting back handspring until you’ve mastered a standing one! Once you’ve done that, here’s a step-by-step tutorial for a fun sitting back handspring, including useful stretches to prepare for training.
Uncle Dom's Backflip Tutorial
A backflip is as classic as it gets in tumbling. A lot of us start out with our tricks on a trampoline to get comfortable. Moving your backflip from the trampoline to the ground can seem daunting, but there are a few steps that will make it easier. Removing the trampoline means it’s up to you to get as high in the air as possible. To do so, follow these tips and tricks and watch the video for a more detailed tutorial.