Q&A for How to Do a Front Flip

If you practice routinely and make sure that you're getting all the moves down correctly, you can learn a flip in approximately 6 to 8 weeks.

To land on your feet, you'll have to tuck during the flip for max rotation. You'll then have to open early to land evenly on both feet.

Have confidence in yourself. Breakdown the flip in your mind and picture yourself doing it over and over; this will boost your confidence.

Yes, but you need to be very careful. Practice on a trampoline, then (if possible) into a foam block pit, just so that you're confident with it. If you do have it down pat, however, then front flipping on the grass should be okay.

Unless you are very confident doing a front somersault on a trampoline, do not attempt it on the floor (gymnastics floor). To be able to do a front somersault on the floor, have a run-up, hurdle and jump your body into a somersault, which involves tucking and turning. You will not land it the first time. It may take weeks and months to master this skill.

it doesn't need to be very high, but the lower it is the faster you will have to turn to complete the front flip. The higher the better.

Pillows and blankets or a mattress will also work.

In the middle of your flip, check where you will land. Set out a mattress for this purpose. Try to land on you backside rather than your back, then slowly build up from there.

Yes. Just make sure that the block is in place and will not bounce with you.

Almost, but not quite. One thing that helps is try to get your feet over your head and in front of you as fast as you can. Many people try only to get their head flipped over, but then you will not land properly.

It depends on how small the trampoline is. You might have enough room to perform a front flip on a 14-foot trampoline. Anything smaller than that would not be a good idea, as you will not have enough room.

Practice safely with a spotter. Do exercises such as somersaults or egg rolls.

You'll need to power your flip using just your strength and gravity. Build leg strength to bounce higher.

A spotter is someone who will help you safely learn the skill. She can watch you while you are doing the skill and recommend slight adjustments to improve or catch you if you are falling.

That is not really a good idea unless you hire a professional to spot you, which will cost a lot of money. Try it on a normal trampoline in a gym context first, then work your way up to the gymnastics block, and maybe after you're comfortable with doing it on the floor, you can try the park, but make sure you won't hit anyone.

Keep practicing on a safe surface and work with a coach.

Yes. As you get more confident, try on grass and then on a gym floor.

Have patience and the right amount of water. Aim at something, grab your bottle and flip

Momentum is the motion of a moving body.

Tuck your legs close to your chest and don't throw your body forward too much. Stick out your legs forcefully when you're about to land and don't bend them too much.

Practice jumping higher, doing tighter tucks and time yourself when doing the flip to know when to push your legs downwards to land.

Yes, you can still do this! Be careful not to hurt yourself though.

Start by finding someone with experience who can coach you and spot you.

It took me one day to learn how to do it on the trampoline but I have tried beforehand.

You might be able to. Make sure you have a mat so if you fall it won't hurt. If you have a really small trampoline, it's not a good idea.

Try and tuck yourself in more; this makes you spin much faster. Try to get more vertical height as well, so you have more time to spin.

Yes, but you don't need as much height as you might think for a flip.

Practice more and slowly stop relying on the spotter. Boost your confidence by repeating "I can do this" over and over.

You could get a mattress or cushions from a couch, anything that is soft enough, or you could borrow something from a friend. You could also visit your local trampoline park, jump zone, indoor playground, etc. to practice your front flip.

It really depends on who you are. For most people, a side aerial might be the skill that it takes ages to learn and to perfect. For me, it took way less time to learn a front tuck than an aerial, and most people would probably agree. But if you set your mind to both, you'll get them!