Q&A for How to Do a Standing Back Flip from the Ground

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I can do it on a mat, but I cannot do it on the ground. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    It might be that you're sort of scared. Keep trying it on the mat until you feel 100% confident that you can do it on the floor. It takes time.
  • Question
    I can't do it from standing! How can I improve?
    Community Answer
    You're probably not getting enough height, which means you aren't setting right. You can practice them on a trampoline before doing it on the floor. Having a strong core and leg base helps a lot, so conditioning will also help.
  • Question
    Will I automatically be rotated after tucking my knees to my chest, or do I have to rotate myself?
    Community Answer
    The tuck to the knees will initiate the rotate and flip your body around successfully.
  • Question
    What is a common age to start learning how to do a back flip?
    Community Answer
    As a gymnast, the best age is 9 or 10; if you're not a gymnast, it's preteen to teenage (12 to 15).
  • Question
    Is there any chance I'll get injured?
    Community Answer
    Yes, in any difficult technique like this, there is a chance of getting hurt. To be safe, enlist a spotter and practice on soft mats before flipping on normal ground.
  • Question
    What if I can't jump high enough?
    Community Answer
    You should practice your jumping first and strengthen you legs. Once you feel you can jump high enough, you can try the standing back flip.
  • Question
    How do I improve my back flip technique?
    Community Answer
    Practice into a foam pit or on a trampoline. If you do it into a foam pit, make sure to try to over-spin onto your back, so you get a feel for that fast rotation you need on solid ground. Make sure to use correct form.
  • Question
    How do I get over the fear of doing a back flip?
    Community Answer
    It's important to get a sense of safety. First, familiarize yourself with being upside down -- for example, hang from a bar and just take in your surroundings while the world is flipped. Use step 3 (using a chin up bar to do the flip) as much as necessary. Before that, you could practice tucking your legs in properly by jumping off the ground and grabbing your knees, then landing again.
  • Question
    I can't spin fast enough. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    You need to swing your arms more.
  • Question
    Is a standing back flip like doing a front flip?
    Community Answer
    Yes, the only thing that is different is you swing your arms up to get enough height. Do NOT go back. Go straight up and do not freak out in the air.
  • Question
    Every time I do a back flip on the tramp I fail. How do I get better?
    Paige Logan
    Community Answer
    Keep on practicing and if you have gymnastics lessons ask your coach for some extra help, however, be careful and don't try do anything without adult supervision - you can get seriously hurt otherwise. Work on mastering easier moves too.
  • Question
    Can I still do a standing back flip if I'm slightly overweight?
    Community Answer
    Yes you can. It might just require more momentum to flip, so make sure you tuck hard.
  • Question
    When I do a back flip, my hands and feet touch the ground at the same time. How can I prevent this?
    Community Answer
    You want to make sure that you lift your chest when you land, so you are standing straight up with bent knees in your landing.
  • Question
    What will happen if I don't spin anough and only half rotate?
    Community Answer
    The only way that this will happen is if you chicken out. if you don't chicken out, then you will be fine and you will land brilliantly as long as you block.
  • Question
    How do I convince my parents that it's safe?
    Community Answer
    Ask them to get a mat so you wont hurt yourself, or maybe a trampoline. You could also ask them if you could take a gymnastics class, that way you'd have a professional adult who could spot you and guide you.
  • Question
    How can I practice if I can't tuck my knees in?
    Community Answer
    Try doing squats, as that helps with the actual jumping, or do rolls backwards. Also, if you already are good at tucking your knees in, go onto a trampoline and just try to do a back flip.
  • Question
    I can't go straight back. I go to the side. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Don't worry. It will take some practice, but if you keep working hard, you'll do it.
  • Question
    What the best way to practice at home if I can't afford a mat?
    Community Answer
    I would recommend using a grassy area or even a mattress. Anything soft that wouldn't hurt too much to fall on would work as a substitute.
  • Question
    How do I not move backwards in my flip?
    Community Answer
    You might be throwing your head back. Look straight ahead and keep looking until your body is upside down. Then look down.
  • Question
    How can I get better at turning upside down if I am not very flexible?
    Community Answer
    Get flexible! Take a gymnastics class, and stretch often. If you do these things and you're consistent, you'll be more flexible in no time.
  • Question
    I can do it on the trampoline and off a beam, but I am too afraid on the ground. Why?
    Community Answer
    Probably because you're comfortable having your height prepared for you, and you focus on your technique, therefore you struggle on ground because you trained on your technique and not height. Go from your normal height and decrease the height by around half an inch every successful time, and it will become easier.
  • Question
    What if I'm really scared and, when I'm about to try, I give up?
    Community Answer
    In this case, you will fall to the ground. Try to land on your knees. It will hurt if you land on your head.
  • Question
    How do I get brave enough to do it on the trampoline?
    Community Answer
    You can start by putting pillows around you, and just practice until you get comfortable enough to do it on your own. You can also have someone spot you.
  • Question
    How can I get over a fear of doing this?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Practice helps against fear. Take a step back to a previous exercise that you weren't too afraid to do, like from a box to the floor or back-flip on a trampoline. Repeat that a good number of times, like 50, for a few weeks, and you will feel your comfort zone expand until it includes the next step. Another thing that combats all fear is knowledge. You know what will happen if you under-rotate: you land on all fours, aka "you didn't die". So even if you're afraid, remember that a less-than-perfect execution is not a big deal, and you know how to react if it goes a little wrong.
  • Question
    What can I do if I have trouble rotating my body?
    Community Answer
    Kick your knees up hard and grab onto your knees with your hands. You can practice this by hanging underneath a bar and lifting your legs. This will also build your abs.
  • Question
    What is the height required for a backflip?
    Community Answer
    There is no specific height requirement. But, to make sure you do get up high enough, set yourself upward and don’t bend back.
  • Question
    What is a trampoline?
    Lauren
    Community Answer
    A trampoline is a strong, bouncy fabric sheet that is connected to springs, which connect to a frame. Trampolines are used kind of like springboards, except trampolines have softer surfaces.
  • Question
    Whenever I try to backflip, I go straight into a backflip 180. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Tuck your knees in. It will help you rotate 360 degrees in the backflip. Maybe try to jump higher as well, because you'll get more momentum.
  • Question
    I land on my hands and knees. Everything is perfect, I just can't get my hands to my shins to make a ball in time. What do I do?
    Pes15
    Community Answer
    Make sure you are getting your hips up and engaging your core so you can rotate fast enough.
  • Question
    How can I gain the confidence to do a back flip?
    Community Answer
    Remind yourself that you have the ability to do whatever you set your mind to.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article