Q&A for How to Land a Front Flip on the Trampoline

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  • Question
    How do you jump higher on a front flip?
    Tanya Berenson
    Gymnastics Instructor
    Tanya Berenson is a Gymnastics Instructor and the General Manager of the Los Angeles School of Gymnastics. With over 25 years of professional gymnastics experience, Tanya has also served as a consultant to USA Gymnastics, has served as the USA World Maccabi Games Head Coach, USA Gymnastics Meet Director, and RAS counselor. She holds a B.Ed. in Early Childhood Development from the University of California, Los Angeles.
    Gymnastics Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Jump in the middle of the trampoline so that you get the most bounce. Also, bounce several times before doing the flip and swing your arms hard as you go up and down.
  • Question
    How would I do a tuck?
    Community Answer
    Jump up in the air and lift both legs at the same time towards your chest. Then, try to wrap your arms around your legs and hold on. As you land, unfold your arms and straighten your legs so that you don't sprain an ankle.
  • Question
    When I do the tuck, I freeze and am not able to fall on my feet. What am I doing wrong?
    Community Answer
    Try not tucking as hard or just get used to the feeling of falling. Don't be scared.
  • Question
    How do I land a somersault?
    Community Answer
    Jump as high as you can, then tuck and do the somersault. When you jump high and tuck at the right time, you will have enough time to straighten your legs at the end so you can land it. Do not look at the ground, or you won't land properly.
  • Question
    I can do a front flip, I just don't land it. Sometimes, I do a really slow one, and end up sprawled on my back. How do I prevent this?
    Community Answer
    You just need to rotate faster. Maybe tuck in tighter and hold it for longer.
  • Question
    What do I do if I get scared!?
    Community Answer
    Try just doing the tuck and work your way up. After doing it a few times you won't get scared anymore.
  • Question
    I can do a somersault but I just can't land it, can you help me?
    Community Answer
    Jump as high as you can jump. Practice this a lot first. Then while you are up high, do a somersault and it should give you enough time to put your legs straight and land on your feet. Make sure you don't wear slippy or very soft socks when you do the flip.
  • Question
    I'm so afraid I will fall on my head and break my neck. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Make sure you tuck hard enough so there is no chance you will land on your neck/head.
  • Question
    It hurts my lower stomach when I do a front flip, how can I fix this and why does it happen?
    Ellie Fruity
    Community Answer
    Don't flip after you have eaten. Maybe tighten your tummy muscles too. Also, you may be crunching up too tight, in that case leave a gap between your tummy and your knees when you tuck.
  • Question
    How can I land on my feet instead of my rear end when I do a front flip?
    Community Answer
    If you're landing on your rear, this means you're tucking, but too fast. Try to slow it down, and you will land it just fine.
  • Question
    How do I keep my feet from slipping out?
    Community Answer
    Hold your legs in with your hands, and if this doesn't work, go back to tucking with your hands in.
  • Question
    I try to tuck hard and go fast, but I always end up landing on my bottom. This is really frustrating because I am trying so hard. Can you give me any advice?
    Community Answer
    Try to hold your tuck for longer before you open out.
  • Question
    What should I do if my head is too low to the ground when I do a front flip?
    Midnight
    Top Answerer
    Jump a few times before you flip, and get some height. Keeping your head too low can result in a serious injury if the landing is incorrect.
  • Question
    What happens if I let go of my knees?
    Community Answer
    If you let go you might land wrongly and hurt yourself.
  • Question
    How can I prevent myself from hitting my nose with my knees when I tuck?
    Community Answer
    Tuck less vigorously and focus when you are going around. Look at the edge of the trampoline while jumping, and then look at your knees while doing the flip.
  • Question
    How do I prevent landing with my legs bent and then falling back, or landing with my knees on my chest?
    Community Answer
    Just keep on practicing, and don't rotate too quickly.
  • Question
    How do I land on my feet?
    Community Answer
    You have to lock you ankles and then land. Try this a couple of times and you will be great!
  • Question
    I've done all of this and it still does not work. Any other suggestions?
    Community Answer
    You need to be confident. Make sure that you know what you're doing. Visualize the whole thing and then try it. Try some practice tucks first.
  • Question
    If I always land on my back, how do I land on my feet?
    Community Answer
    You should jump higher and push with your legs so then you almost land it.
  • Question
    I'm doing all the steps but keep landing on the trampoline with my knees still tucked. What am I doing wrong?
    Community Answer
    You need to extend your legs for your landing instead of staying tucked the whole time. Be focused for the whole skill, not just the start.
  • Question
    What should I do if I have landed on my feet and I can't do it again?
    Community Answer
    Just keep practicing. If you wear socks, take them off so that you won't slip on the trampoline, or wear athletic shoes. Imagine yourself landing them over and over again and, eventually, they will be really easy to do.
  • Question
    Whenever I flip, I can't help but go forward about half a meter. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Try doing seat to hands and knees over to backdrop to feet at the very front of the trampoline.
  • Question
    What is a tuck?
    Community Answer
    A tuck is where you bring your legs to your chest when jumping.
  • Question
    I can't stop slipping after I land. Any tips?
    Community Answer
    It could be your socks. Try a pair of altitude/Skyzone socks.
  • Question
    How big does my trampoline need to be?
    Bigcatlover1
    Community Answer
    The trampoline needs to be at least 1.5 times the size of your own body for safety reasons.
  • Question
    Why do I land in a sitting position if I jump high and tuck fast?
    Community Answer
    You are either not jumping high enough, or you are waiting too long before you tuck.
  • Question
    What if I can't grab my legs quickly enough?
    Bigcatlover1
    Community Answer
    Practice grabbing your tuck quickly. It should help you get the motion into your brain. This is called "modeling." Try the front flip after practicing. If it doesn't work, sit down in a tuck, hold your hands above your head, and throw them onto your shins. Practice this motion, then keep trying. You'll get there eventually.
  • Question
    What if I'm scared my knees will hit my nose when tucking?
    Bigcatlover1
    Community Answer
    This is something I've done so many times, the simplest solution is just to split your knees apart, but not your toes. My coach calls it "split tuck," and it's something we drill. A way to enforce this is to put a towel or (if you have it) a foam block between your knees. Make sure it's wide enough to fit your face in between. This should solve your issue.
  • Question
    I can't land it but I can do a front flip. I always fall when I land on my feet, can you help me?
    Community Answer
    Try to tuck in harder and extend your legs out when you are close to the floor.
  • Question
    How do I get over the fear of rotating?
    Community Answer
    You will get over it the more that you practice, so make sure that you are practicing in a safe way and as frequently as you can.
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