How to Do a Triple Front Flip

Last Updated: January 14, 2025

The triple front flip is one of the most difficult moves in gymnastics and other sports that incorporate flips like diving. Great skill in basic moves, and terrific strength is needed to perform this movement. Most importantly, this movement must never be attempted without the advice and support of a trained and licensed gymnastics coach. The triple front flip (sometimes called a front tuck or a front somersault) is a correctly formed front flip done three times before the landing.

Steps

Know that, at a minimum, you should be able to do perfect forward rolls and front handsprings before even attempting a double or triple flip.
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Correct training

Don't jump too hard at the beginning. Continue with jumping forward rolls until you can do them without crashing.
Jog or run and work on your upper body strength.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Perfect the single front flip

7
Get into the jumping jade position
- Your hand should be level with your hips before the jump.
- Jump as high as you can.
- The skip does not make you jump higher, but it does increase your angular momentum making the flip easier.
- Jump with the balls and toes of your feet and jump straight up.
- Bend you knees slightly.
8
At the apex of the jump throw your arms up as hard as possible.
- Keep your arms straight.
- Your arms should be at a 30° angle from your torso.
10
Tuck your head into your body and form a ball. Your chin should be at your chest.
- Forming the ball allows you to spin faster, fast enough to go through a rotation before you hit the ground. In the ball your body rotates around it's own center of gravity, much like a planet. In the same way a planet moves, the smaller the ball the faster the rotation.
- Some people prefer to grab their ankles.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Biomechanics for gymnasts

To increase the number of flips you have to move much faster and with more strength. Gymnastic coaches and scientists study this level of movement in a field called Biomechanics: the study of how living organisms move.
According to the principles of biomechanics the number of rotations you can do depends on your ability to convert kinetic energy (energy gained by movement) into potential energy, in other words energy in your muscles to use for jumping and turning. This takes practice.
Many people will find their bodies twisting in the air, a phenomenon known as nutation . Controlling your nutations is critical to multiple flip moves.
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Community Q&A

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Question

How do I do the landing?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

Usually, and especially during practice, a spotter will stand by and give an audible command when to open. Listen for that, respond correctly, and land on your feet.

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Question

Is it common to land on your head if you over-flip?

Community Answer

Yes, but if you think you are going to over-rotate, just do a forward roll out of it so you don't face plant and injure yourself.

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Question

If i do it into the pit without a spotter, how can I be sure where I am in the air?

Community Answer

Your gymnastics teacher or coach will tell you when you're in the air and when to land.

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Tips

Typically gymnasts have very little time or height to perform additional flips, the amount of time and height you have depends on your ability to transfer kinetic energy into potential energy.

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Most gyms have a belt that attaches to the trampoline so you can easily learn new skills.

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Practice with a trampoline or diving board to master the skill before attempting in gymnastics.

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Warnings

Another gymnast is not a substitute for a trained coach.

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Make sure your coach is ready to teach you this skill! A coach at this level must have serious training in physics including biomechanics and projectile studies, gymnastic progressions, aerial twisting, and training regimens and safety, at a minimum.

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Make sure your coach thinks you are ready to attempt this skill.

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If you keep landing on your rear or any part of your body other than your feet you are not moving fast enough or tucking properly.

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Although many kinds of injuries are possible shin injuries are the most common, a painful injury to say the least.

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How to Do a Triple Front Flip

Steps

Correct training

Perfect the single front flip

Biomechanics for gymnasts

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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References

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