TRAMPOLINE

Introduction

The trampoline is becoming more and more popular. This is no doubt due to many factors, one of which is the ease of learning and performing stunts that would be difficult or impossible without the assistance afforded by the apparatus. This very fact, however, causes the apparatus to be potentially dangerous. A boy can get "over his head" fairly easily so supervision should always be conspicuous. A good overall safety policy is for the student to check the prerequisites with the instructor, thus satisfying the instructor that he is ready to attempt the next stunt se­quence.
It is suggested that a minimum of four spotters be posted at all times that the tramp is in use. Spotters must be alert and keep the performer on the tramp. There are occasions when it is obviously best to help the performer off the tramp by helping him maintain balance, but most often the spotters1 task is to keep the performer from falling off the tramp. It is recommended that the tramp be folded and locked when supervision is not available.

Recommended Learning Sequence on Trampoline

1. Bouncing 20. Brani
2. Full Pirouette 21. Seat Drop Back Flip
3. Seat Drop 22. Back Three-Quarters
4. Seat One-Half Twist to Seat 23. Seat Drop Back to Front Drop
5. Knee Drop 24. Front Three-Quarters to Back Drop
6. All Fours Drop 25. Back Flip to Seat Drop
7. Front Drop 26. Back Flip to Back Drop
8. One-Half Twist Front Drop 27. Back Three-Quarters, Back Flip to Feet
9. Seat Drop, Front Drop 28. Back Three-Quarters, One-Half Twist to
10. Front Drop, Seat Drop Seat Drop
11. Front Drop One-Half Turntable 29. Back Flip, One-Half Twist to Feet
12. Seat Drop Full Twist, Seat Drop 30. Back Layout, Full Twist
13. Back Drop and Recover 31. Delayed Front
14. Back Drop One-Half Twist to Feet 32. Front Flip, Full Twist
15. Front Flip 33. Back Double
16. Knee Drop Front Flip 34. Front One-and-Three Quarters, Brani Out
17. Back Flip 35. Front Double, Brani Out
18. Back Flip Layout 36. Brani in Back out Fliffes
19. Front One and One-Quarter

Description of Activities
Stunt (1): BOUNCING PREREQUISITES: Warning about bouncing too high.
DESCRIPTION: Simply jump up and down on the tramp using the arms to depress the tramp, for lift and balance.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Flex your legs as you start to rise from the bottom of your bounce. The eyes should be focused on a spot at the end of the tramp. Control is the objective -– not height. As you contact the tramp, force your arms down so you can drop deeper into the tramp; thus the tramp will throw you higher.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: Usually bouncing comes naturally; however, the separation of the feet just as contact is made with the tramp to a distance of twelve to eighteen inches is sometimes a problem. The major difficulty is the use of the arms. Generally the arms are used to aid in attaining height and to maintain balance. To attain height the arms are lifted quickly as one rises from the bottom of the bounce. This arm lift is, of course, co­ordinated with the leg spring. The arm lift is usually forward and to the side with the arms slightly bent. Some movement of the arms is essential if balance is to be maintained during flight. The higher the bounce, the more arm movement is required for balance purposes. Generally the arms should be kept slightly in front of the body and taken behind the lateral plane only at the bottom of the bounce in order to initiate another lift. The arms are forced down hard as contact is made with the tramp to add to the body's weight, thus depressing the tramp more than would otherwise be possible. The legs are kept straight until the bot­tom of the bounce is reached; then a jump will add height to the lift. When bouncing con­tinuously the knees are only slightly bent and the eyes should be focused on the end of the trampoline bed.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Kicking the tramp, uncoordinated arm swing, legs together, and arms going too high and too far to the rear.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Use moderate height, four spotters, and insist that the student attempt to remain in the center of the tramp. Practice killing the bounce by flexing the knees.

PROGRESSION OR COMBINATIONS: After learning to bounce, practice one-half and full pirouettes occasionally.

Stunt (2): FULL PIROUETTE

PREREQUISITES: Good Bounce, control, and practice doing the half turn. DESCRIPTION: Rise from the tramp; execute a full turn before landing. ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Start the twist with the arms. Keep the feet together and the arms in close.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: Just as the tramp begins to lift the body from the bottom of the bounce, throw the right hand across the chest and turn the head to the left. As the body turns, allow the left hand to fold against the chest beside the right hand. Try to turn the head quickly and return the eyes to the end of the tramp without focusing on any object as the head turns. Stop the twist by throwing the right hand back and stopping the head.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Waiting too long to start the twist.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Stand-by spotters should be provided.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: This stunt contributes to the mastery of twists of all kinds.
Stunt (3): SEAT DROP

PREREQUISITES: A reliable bounce.

DESCRIPTION: While aloft, flex at the hips in order to land on the tramp in a sitting position. Keep the knees straight.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Hands at the side fingers forward. Point the toes at the spot on which you focus your eyes. Knees straight.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: The object is to drop to a sitting position -– not to drop while in a sitting position. The attempt should be done with a lift only, no bounce. Once airborne, point the toes at the point of focus. While descending, keep the toes pointing at that spot, keep the knees straight, and try to land flat on the seat and legs. Place the hands at the sides with fingers extended toward the feet. Upon rebounding from the tramp, drop the feet in order to return to a standing position. Practice gradually increasing the height of the bounce.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Pulling the legs up too fast and too soon, failure to use the hands, and bending the knees.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Practice during the first few attempts with a take-off and no bounce; then gradually increase the bounce.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: The stunt may be combined as follows: one-half twist seat, one-half twist to feet; seat drop.
Stunt (4): SEAT ONE-HALF TWIST TO SEAT

PREREQUISITES: Seat, one-half twist, seat one-half twist to feet.

DESCRIPTION: Execute a seat drop; then rise, straighten the body quickly and execute a one-half twist; then, before the feet touch, drop to another seat drop and return to the feet.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Try to rise, straighten out the body as quickly as possible, then throw the twist. Lift the arms hard for more height.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: The initial seat drop is executed with the trunk inclined slightly for­ward. From the bottom of the bounce, throw the arms overhead hard and the right arm across the face. The body should rise and straighten out as the twist is executed, then immediately flex at the hips to land in a seat drop facing the opposite direction.
FREQUENT ERRORS: twist.
Failure to use the arms for lift. Failure to straighten the body for the

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Stand-by spotters should be on hand.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: Try a seat drop one-half twist to front drop (wait for in­struction on front drop).

Stunt (5): KNEE DROP

PREREQUISITES: A reliable bounce and good balance.

DESCRIPTION: While airborne, lift the heels so that the shin (tibia) of the leg is parallel with the tramp; land in this kneeling position, then return immediately to the feet.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Head up. Use the arms for balance. Just lift your heels.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: On the first attempt, start from the standing position, jump up; keeping the head erect and using the arms for balance, lift the heels by bending at the knees, toes pointed. As contact is made with the tramp, swing the arms down; then lift the arms hard with the rebound. Return to the feet. If successful, execute the stunt while bouncing.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to use the arms for balance. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Adequate spotters should be provided.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: Try the following combinations: Knee drop to seat drop to feet, knee drop one-half twist to knee drop, knee drop one-half twist to feet.
Stunt (6): ALL FOURS DROP

PREREQUISITES: A reliable bounce and good balance.

DESCRIPTION: While airborne, lift the heels and flex at the waist; contact the tramp on the hands and knees and return to the feet.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Use moderate bounce. Flex the hips or bend the arms to land on all points simultaneously.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: This stunt is initiated like a knee drop. When the heels start up, flex the hips and extend the hands to contact the tramp. The easiest feel for this stunt is to land the first few times in a crouched position with the knees well up under the chest. The farther back the knees are placed, the harder the bounce becomes. When rising from the tramp, push with the arms and return to the feet.

FREQUENT ERRORS: The hands are usually held a little high, but this is easily corrected.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: There is practically no hazard in this stunt. Adequate spotters are always necessary. Take a minimum bounce during initial attempts.
PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: Try the following combinations: All fours drop, one-half twist to feet; all fours drop, one-half twist to all fours drop; seat drop to all fours drop.

Stunt (7): FRONT DROP

PREREQUISITES: Reliable bounce, seat drop, and all fours drop.

DESCRIPTION: While airborne, allow the feet to drift up slightly to the rear as the head descends; this enables the participant to land flat on the belly, and return to his feet.

ILLUSTRATIONS:

MAJOR CUES: landing.

Let the legs come up slightly in back. Protect your face with your arms when It is best to feel that the feet are too low. Don't dive.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: To get the feel of the front drop, do an all fours drop with no bounce; then on the rebound, extend and drop to front. Hug the tramp by landing flat. On the first attempt use an initial lift, no bounce. Pull the legs back about two and one-half to three feet so that the body feels as though it is at a forty-five degree angle. As the body descends, bend the arms with the elbows out so the forearms contact the tramp. The head should be held up off the tramp. To recover to the feet, push off with the hands and pull the feet down. Gradually increase the bounce and always attempt to land with the body on the spot where the feet were bouncing. Some prefer to.do this drop by piking until just before contacting the tramp, then opening up for the drop at the last moment. Both techniques should be learned.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Diving forward with the head too low. Traveling forward.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Warning -– it is best to have the feet too low; donTt let the head get too low. Bounce only moderately during the first attempt.
PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: The front drop is easy to combine with many of the other fundamental bounces; and, once confidence is achieved, these combinations are fun. Now try the following combinations: front drop to seat drop; seat drop to front drop; knee drop to front drop; seat drop one-half twist to front drop.

Stunt (8): ONE-HALF TWIST FRONT DROP

PREREQUISITES: Pirouette and front drop as separate stunts. Seat drop one-half twist to front drop.

DESCRIPTION: Execute a one-half twist and then immediately a front drop. The feet should be forward before executing the one-half twist.
MAJOR CUES: Lean back slightly on the take-off. Turn as you reach maximum height, then pike into the front drop.

ILLUSTRATION:

TEACHING PROCEDURES: While rising from the tramp, the feet are allowed to rise forward slightly with the body still straight; a slow one-half turn is then executed and stopped with a pike if necessary; then on to a front drop.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to allow the feet to drift forward before executing the one-half twist.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Spotters should be standing by.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: This stunt serves as a means of helping students twist and still keep their orientation.

Stunt (9): SEAT DROP, FRONT DROP

PREREQUISITES: Seat drop and front drop.

DESCRIPTION: Execute a seat drop and then pull the legs through in order to execute a front drop on the next bounce.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Push with the hands and lunge forward. Do not lift the feet behind you.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: The initial seat drop should be executed with the trunk inclined slightly forward. As the tramp rebounds, the head is lunged forward and the legs pulled back, hips up. From this piked position a front drop is executed.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to lean forward, and a tendency to lunge too soon.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Stand-by spotters should be on hand and a warning should be given to keep the feet low.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: This leads to the next stunt combination, front drop to seat drop. This has significant value in fostering confidence. Strive to execute this com­bination with knees straight.

Stunt (10): FRONT DROP, SEAT DROP

PREREQUISITES: Front drop and seat drop.

DESCRIPTION: Execute a front drop and then pull the legs forward to execute a seat drop on the next bounce.
ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Push off hard with the hands and then pull the feet through to the seat drop.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: When rebounding from the front drop, the hands push off hard against the tramp and the legs are pulled forward so as to land in a seat drop. At first the knees will be bent, but the stunt can be done with legs straight.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to push off hard with the hands.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Stand-by spotters should be provided.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: Try the seat drop, front drop, seat drop in a series.

Stunt (11): FRONT DROP, ONE-HALF TURNTABLE

PREREQUISITES: Front drop.

DESCRIPTION: Execute a front drop; then turn around to face the opposite direction and land again in a front drop. The rotation is in a plane parallel to the tramp.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Push off in the direction you wish to go; look in the same direction, and tuck.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: As the participant rebounds from the front drop, he looks to the left, then pushes his hands against the tramp to the right and pulls the knees up to the waist to the tuck position. When approaching the one-half turn, extend the legs and drop again to the front drop.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to push off hard and tuck. Rolling laterally is usually caused by a failure to tuck. Rising to the upright position to do a twist is incorrect.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Spotters are necessary. If .a lateral roll persists, lay the head on the left shoulder with no rotation.

PROGRESSION OR COMBINATIONS: This can be continued to a full turntable.
Stunt (12): SEAT DROP FULL TWIST, SEAT DROP

PREREQUISITES: Pirouette and seat drop. Seat drop one-half twist to front drop.

DESCRIPTION: Execute a seat drop; on the rise straighten out the body and execute a full twist; then drop immediately to another seat drop.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Keep the feet low.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: First several seat drop one-half twist to front drops should be executed to help feel out the stunt. Performance of the full twist is then a matter of going on past the half twist. Keep the feet low and throw for the full twist from the start. The twist stops when the body is piked for the seat drop.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Letting the feet rise too high. Making the turn in two separate moves.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Spotters must be alert for, if the twist is executed too soon, the performer may roll to the side. If a three-fourths twist is encountered, the participant should not try to catch himself with his hands, just let the body fall to the tramp.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: This stunt is excellent for helping students get the feel of a full twist.

Stunt (13): BACK DROP AND RECOVER

PREREQUISITES: Good bounce and good control.

DESCRIPTION: Drop to the tramp landing flat on the back; then extend sharply at the hips to rise again to the feet.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Keep the eyes fixed on the usual spot on the end of the tramp, just as contact is made with the tramp.
Break the arch
TEACHING PROCEDURES: To get the feel of this stunt, stand erect on the tramp, hands clasped behind the head, hips forward, keeping body straight and simply fall backwards in order to land flat on the back. Keep the hands behind the head until consistent performance is as­sured. For the first attempt, use a lift only; no bounce. Arch the body slightly; and, keep­ing it thus extended, rotate backwards in order to drop flat on the tramp. Just before contact i*s made, lift the feet and legs to about a forty-five degree angle. This is done to cause the body to sink deeper into the tramp. When the bottom of the descent is reached, kick the legs up and then down in a shoulder kip fashion to add to the lift and establish the rotation necessary to return to the feet. Gradually increase the bounce. Although the il­lustration shows the legs straight, it often helps to bend the knees for tramp depression and the kick out.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Looking up at the ceiling (frequently this causes too much backward rota­tion). Failure to push the legs away to facilitate the rise.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Start with the hands behind the neck, no bounce, and fall back to land flat. Then try to kick out, so as to land on the feet; next try this preliminary back drop from a knee drop. Keep the eyes low. Keep the chin on the chest.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: Useful combinations of the back drop are as follows: drop one-half twist to feet; back drop to front drop; one-half twist to back drop.
Back
 
Stunt (14): BACK DROP AND ONE-HALF TWIST TO FEET

PREREQUISITES: Back drop and one-half twist. A good kick out of the back drop to the feet.

DESCRIPTION: Execute a back drop. With the rebound kick, immediately turn the head and throw the arm for the twist, landing on the feet and facing in the opposite direction.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: As you leave the tramp, immediately execute the one-half twist. Use your hips to help you turn.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: This stunt is actually more difficult than the back-drop-half-twist-to-back-drop that it leads up to, however it is usually attempted first as a means of gaining confidence. From the back drop, kick out high, throw the right hand across the body, and turn the head to look back at the tramp.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to kick out with reasonable height. SAFETY

PRECAUTIONS: Stand-by spotters are necessary.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: After a few attempts at the above, try the back-drop half-turn-to-a-back-drop. The turn can be delayed, making the stunt easier.

Stunt (15): FRONT FLIP

PREREQUISITES: Good bounce and a good dive and roll on the mats.

DESCRIPTION: With a good bounce, execute a forward somersault and land on the feet. ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Throw the arms, duck the head, and tuck.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: Stand on one end of the bed and execute a plain forward roll. Then from the end again do a forward roll without touching the hands; be sure to get the head under and land on the back. As proficiency develops, do it with a bounce to a seat drop. Initiate the roll from the bottom of a bounce. When executed reliably, increase the bounce gradually. To prevent travel as the bounce is increased, execute the roll or flip in close around an imaginary stick just in front of the chest. As skill develops, try to take-off raising the hands beside the head; as maximum height is approached, throw the arms down and initiate the tuck. Actually there is just enough time to tuck; then immediately release and prepare to land.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Diving forward to execute the roll (this causes considerable travel). Fail­ing to initiate the stunt with the arms and head.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Belts seem to hamper forward rotation stunts, particularly this one, so stick to the teaching procedure above and do not hurry. In the early stages, be careful to keep the knees out of the face while landing in a seat drop.
PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: The front flip may be done from the knees, from the back, and even from the front drop.

Stunt (16): KNEE DROP FRONT FLIP

PREREQUISITES: Knee drop, and a good dive and roll on the mats. Practice on front flip sequence.

DESCRIPTION: Execute a knee drop; then rise and execute a forward somersault landing on the feet.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Rise up from the tramp throwing for the flip.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: The knee drop should be executed so as to land with the hands beside the head, arms bent. When the rebound lifts the body, the arms are thrown upward then down as in the front flip from the feet. When making initial attempts, no effort should be made to continue the bounce after executing the flip.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Occasionally a performer will rotate too far. He should be warned and instructed to catch himself in the event this happens.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: If the prerequisites are met, alert spotters should be adequate.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: This stunt is utilized to build confidence in landing after executing a regular front flip.

Stunt (17): BACK FLIP PREREQUISITES: Good bounce, back roll, ankle lift, roll down partner's back on mats.

DESCRIPTION: Upon rising from the tramp with body fully extended, execute a back somersault and land on the feet.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Lead with the arms and head, knees follow. Eyes look for the tramp.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: With a well controlled bounce in an overhead mechanic, throw the arms straight up overhead and back hard -– the head goes back with the arms. Immediately following the arm and head movement, the knees come up trying to catch up with the hands. The eyes look for the tramp to facilitate landing. On initial tries, most students automati­cally kill the bounce when landing. When consistent performance is developed, the safety belt may be removed. Be sure that the lift from the bounce is utilized.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Tendency to lift the legs before the head and arms are thrown back. Excessive travel caused by leaning back or shifting the bounce take-off-spot forward.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Use an overhead mechanic. Be sure to provide protection from stalls. If no overhead belts are available, try an assisted back flip on the mats in a hand belt several times. Then use the hand belt on the tramp with a spotter bouncing with the learner. Be sure that the stunt is mastered before removing the belt.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: The stunt can be done in swing time and layout. It may be done from a flat back drop, front drop, or seat drop. It may be continued to a seat drop and on to a back drop.

Stunt (18): BACK FLIP LAYOUT

PREREQUISITES: Back flip.

DESCRIPTION: Execute a back somersault while keeping the back arched and the legs straight as far around the turn as possible. It is usually necessary to pike slightly in order to get the feet around and to attain good balance.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Head back and keep pulling it back. Belly up hard.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: Reasonable height is necessary. As one rises from the tramp, the arms are thrown back overhead and then to the side, the head back, and the hips up towards the ceiling. The feet should lag behind, thus causing the body to be arched in a swan dive position. The head is continuously pulled back, and the eyes look for the tramp. When it is obvious that the feet must be pulled around to get them onto the tramp, break the arch and pull the feet down, landing in an erect position.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Leaning back on the take-off and failure to put the belly up cause travel in a backwards direction.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Use an overhead belt.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: Once the back layout has been mastered, many more advanced progressions are possible. Using the safety belt, attempt to master consecutive back somersaults -– so-called swing-time backs. The layout back somersault is also essential to learning back somersaults with twists, and is a prerequisite for learning the back three-quarters to the front drop.

Stunt (19): FRONT ONE AND ONE-QUARTER

PREREQUISITES: A good front flip and a good front drop.

DESCRIPTION: Execute a front flip; then allow the feet to pass beyond the normal landing spot and continue to a front drop.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Let the feet brush the tramp and go on to the front drop.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: This stunt is easiest to learn if done with modest height. On the initial attempt, execute a front flip with a little overthrow. Then reach for the tramp with the feet but do not put any weight on them; just feel the tramp; let the feet brush by and drop to the front drop position. Gradually increase the height of the bounce.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Going a little too far.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: A good front drop is the best insurance.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: Front turnovers can be done from this drop; to back, to seat, to feet. Twists may be added to the last one-fourth of the rotation in order to land in a back drop.

Stunt (20): BRANI

PREREQUISITES: Front flip and some work on pirouettes. A round off on the mats helps but is not essential.

DESCRIPTION: Throw as for a front flip; then execute one-half twist landing on the feet. ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Throw down and to the left; then immediately kick the feet up, turn, and pull them down.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: This stunt is usually learned readily from a knee drop to a knee drop. Throw as for a front somersault except that it is necessary to lift the feet quickly and follow through on the throw to the left. The head is turned to the left and the actual twist is obtained primarily by extending the hips with a twist. The eyes are kept on the tramp all the way through the stunt.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to keep the head up and watch the tramp, enough for the flip.

Failure to throw hard

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Most coaches prefer that initial attempts be made from the knee drop to a knee drop, and touching the tramp with the hands is recommended for early attempts.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: This stunt is one of the most essential for the development of combinations in swing time and is used in several fliffes combinations. Try to combine the brani with other stunts as follows: brani back flip, brani front flip, branies in swing and brani to back drop.

Stunt (21): SEAT DROP BACK FLIP

PREREQUISITES: Pull-over, back flip and seat drop.

DESCRIPTION: Using a high bounce, execute a seat drop; rise high, then snap a back flip to the feet.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Rise up and back for height, then snap the flip.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: The pull-over should be mentioned first because it is comparatively easy. Execute a seat drop in a tuck position; the feet should contact the tramp. As lift is obtained, look back and land on the feet. When this stunt is secure, try the regular seat drop, back. When doing the seat drop to back, remember to extend the body quickly up­ward and back; then snap the legs over quickly.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to use all the lift.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Build the stunt slowly: Seat drop -– back drop, to hands and knees, to knees, to feet. Spotters are necessary.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: Once the seat drop back flip is secure, the seat drop back flip to front drop should be relatively easy.

Stunt (22): BACK THREE-QUARTERS

PREREQUISITES: Back flip layout.

DESCRIPTION: This stunt consists of a backward rotation in the laid out position sufficient enough to enable the performer to land on the trampoline in a front drop.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Just roll the head back, keep the belly up.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: Using a bounce with slightly less height than would be required for a full back layout, roll the head back and arch in order to rotate backward -– just enough to land in a front drop. Obviously it is better to rotate a little too far than not far enough, so for initial attempts the participant should be thinking of a back layout. If insufficient height is being used to complete the layout, an all fours drop should be executed. Generally by the time a student has progressed this far, body control is excellent and little risk is in­volved.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Going over too far -– but this is better than not far enough.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: A good layout is ample protection because the feet can always be brought down in case there is too much rotation.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: This stunt is a prerequisite to most backward rotation twisting stunts. See the back three-fourth with a one-half twist to seat.

Stunt (23): SEAT DROP BACK TO FRONT DROP

PREREQUISITES: Seat drop back to all fours drop and back three-quarters.

DESCRIPTION: Using lots of height, execute a seat drop; then rise high with the head back and the body arched to execute a back three-quarters to front drop.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Rise up and back, head leading for the rotation.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: The seat drop should be well executed so the hands can be placed beside the hips farther forward than usual. The hands are used to push off from the tramp and are then lifted up and back with the head. The hips are lifted as the head is thrown back as in a back layout.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to take advantage of the lift.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: The use of an overhead mechanic is recommended.
PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: A useful combination is: back flip to seat drop, back to front drop.

Stunt (24): FRONT THREE-QUARTERS TO BACK DROP (Crash
Dive) PREREQUISITES: Back drop, front flip, confidence and control.

DESCRIPTION: Proceed as to dive on the tramp head first; then just before making contact, duck the head under and the hips over in order to land in a back drop position.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Lift the feet to attain the arch. Eyes on the tramp. Duck the Head!

TEACHING PROCEDURES: Lift the feet quickly. This may be accomplished by letting the bounce lift the feet rather than the entire body. Hold the head up to prevent the feet from going on over. When just a few feet from the tramp, duck the head and let the hips go over, but keep the feet above the head in order to land in a balanced back drop, good and flat.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Getting the feet too far over while in the dive. Getting the feet too far over on the back drop.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Start with moderate height and proceed as when learning the front flip.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: From this front three-quarters it is possible to land on the feet, go over to the front drop, do a front one and one-quarter to the feet, and brani out to the feet.

Stunt (25): BACK FLIP TO SEAT DROP PREREQUISITES: Back flip and seat drop.

DESCRIPTION: Execute a back flip but do not contact the tramp with the feet; just continue to the seat drop position.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: When you see the tramp, don't put your feet on it.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: As the back flip is being executed, the performer should attempt to focus the eyes on the tramp as early as possible; then, instead of reaching for the tramp with the feet, extend only to a pike for control and continue to a seat drop.

FREQUENT ERRORS: If the student has had adequate experience with back flips, the stunt is not difficult.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Use moderate height. The tuck must open to kill the spin, so be sure students are instructed to open up.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: This is the first progression beyond the back flip leading to the back double.

Stunt (26): BACK FLIP TO BACK DROP PREREQUISITES: Good back drop, back flip to seat. DESCRIPTION: This is a back flip continued to the back drop.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: As the feet pass the tramp bed, start opening for a back drop.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: Execute a back flip; then, without allowing the feet to touch the tramp, continue the rotation to a back drop.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to hold the tuck. Too much bounce.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Do the stunt without bounce at first. The danger obviously lies in going too far. The stunt is seldom done for its own sake, but is used to lead to the double.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: This is the prerequisite to the back double. To build toward a back double, this stunt should be practiced with only a moderate bounce -– thus emphasizing speed of movement.

Stunt (27): BACK THREE-QUARTERS BACK FLIP TO FEET (Cody)

PREREQUISITES: Back three-quarters, back flip, back drop from front drop, back flip to hands and knees from front drop, and seat drop back flip.

DESCRIPTION: Execute a back three-quarters striving for a good flat landing; then on the rebound execute a back flip to the feet.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Push-off hard. Pull the knees up as soon as possible.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: Check the front drop from the back three-quarters for a good landing. Then be sure that adequate height can be attained by checking the height of the lift out of the back three-fourths when going to the feet. Be sure to push-off hard, lead with the head and go for the flip right off the bed.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Lack of height from the front drop.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: The overhead mechanic is a useful spotting device for the Cody. How­ever, the operator must take two different hand-holds on the rope -– one hand high to keep slack out of the rope, and the other hand low to spot the Cody because this stunt is initiated from the front drop. Initial mastery of the prerequisites is the best insurance. If the over­head belt is not available, using four men on the hand belt is probably the next best spot. Use two spotters on the trampoline holding the belt in one hand and grasping hands with two other helpers who are standing on the floor.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: tramp.

This stunt is most often used to terminate a routine on the

Stunt (28): BACK THREE-QUARTERS, ONE-HALF TWIST TO SEAT DROP
PREREQUISITES: Back flip; back three-quarters; seat drop, full twist seat drop; front three-quarters to seat.

DESCRIPTION: Initiate a back three-quarters; then execute a one-half twist and land in the seat drop position.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Just look over your shoulder after you have started the three-quarters.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: This is not a difficult stunt for the person who has the prerequisites. It is mentioned individually only because it is such an important step in learning backs with twists. Just throw the back three-fourths and, as the tramp comes into view, look at the spotter at the back end of the tramp and turn to face him in a seat drop position.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Lack of height, and overthrowing the three-quarters.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Ability to perform the prerequisites should assure ample control.

PROGRESSION OR COMBINATIONS: This is the first progression on the way to the back flip full twist. Next step is the three-quarters back with a full to the front drop and back flip one-half twist to feet.
Stunt (29): BACK FLIP, ONE-HALF TWIST TO FEET

PREREQUISITES: Back three-quarters, one-half twist to seat.

DESCRIPTION: Initiate a back flip; execute a one-half twist and land on the feet. ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Just pull your feet under you.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: Throw as for the back three-quarters with a one-half twist, except that slightly more height is necessary; then instead of dropping to the seat, simply pull the feet down as in doing a front flip.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to pull the feet down. Sometimes performers over-throw or under-throw, but this is easily corrected.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Mastery of the prerequisites is necessary, and spotters should be used.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: Go on to a front drop just for fun, but the immediate goal is the full twist.

Stunt (30): BACK LAYOUT, FULL TWIST PREREQUISITES: Back layout, back with one-half twist, back three-fourths with full twist.

DESCRIPTION: Initiate a back layout and immediately throw for the full twist, landing as from a regular back layout.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Throw the twist early. Arms out and pike to stop the twist.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: Initiate as a back layout; then immediately throw the right arm across the chest; as the body turns toward the left arm, let it come into the chest. Keep the head back to see the tramp. When the full twist is about complete, throw the right arm back and pike to bring the feet to the tramp. Allow the left arm to extend, but it need not be thrown out. The pike and arm throw should stop the twist and permit a landing as from a regular layout back.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to throw the twist early enough. Failure to wrap it up. (Keep arms in close to body.)

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: An overhead mechanic can sometimes bring quick results; but, for the sake of confidence, mastery of the prerequisites will pay dividends.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: Go on to double twists and triples. Go on to seat and back drops to build for fliffes stunts.

Stunt (31): DELAYED FRONT PREREQUISITES:

Front flip and crash dive.

DESCRIPTION: Take-off lifting the feet early in order to arch as in a swan dive.

As the body starts to descend, snap a front flip to land on the feet.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Get the legs high early. As you start to drop, throw it.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: Utilize the bounce to raise the feet rather than the head and shoulders. Hold the head to keep an arch. Get the feet almost overhead and hold the layout until the body begins to fall. Then drop the head and snap the front flip.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to keep the feet coming up. Failure to delay the flip.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Ability to perform the prerequisites is the best safety precaution.

Front flips are difficult to spot in a belt, because the spotter cannot control an overspin. Performers should be warned of this difficulty, and the safety belt should be used to bolster confidence and to assure over-all safety.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: This is a good prerequisite for front flips with twists.

Stunt (32): FRONT FLIP, FULL TWIST PREREQUISITES: Front flip, delayed front, brani, layout front, and back flip full twist.

DESCRIPTION: With good height, throw a layout front and immediately execute a full twist landing as if out of a front layout.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: the flip.

Throw the twist early, before the initial pike is made a layout. Do not overthrow When the legs are raised to the layout, use that force to help you twist.
 
TEACHING PROCEDURES: The Pond's twisting belt is an excellent aid in teaching the twisting stunts, but it is not essential. The front with a full twist is done by throwing as for a front layout with the right hand continuing across the chest, and as the body turns to the left the left hand comes into the chest too (this is called "wrapping").

Try to keep the head up in order to see the tramp. When the tramp begins to go out of sight, kill the twist by dropping the hips and throwing the right arm back hard. The left arm usually goes out automatically, so think only about the right arm. The landing is the same as it is coming out of a layout front.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Overthrowing the flip and failure to look in the direction of the twist.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: The overhead mechanic is useful in this stunt, but not essential. Spotters!

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: One and one-half and two and one-half twisters are more common than the full twist because landing is easier.

Stunt (33): BACK DOUBLE PREREQUISITES: Back one and one-quarter to back drop with very little bounce.

DESCRIPTION: Use plenty of height, tuck tight, and hold it. The time to open up seems to be indicated by feel rather than sight.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Hold the tuck tight, throw for the double. Get your lift, but do not wait for all your height before you

TEACHING PROCEDURES: The overhead mechanic is recommended. Use plenty of height, get all the lift, then start the back rotation quickly. The hardest part is holding the tuck on the second flip, because it is quite a habit by now to come out after one flip. The rotation is so fast that the time to open must be felt. Open up quickly to stop the rotation, and work hard to keep from killing the bounce. It is natural to kill the bounce at first, but try to keep the bounce as proficiency is developed.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Failure to hold the tuck. Some men find it extremely difficult to stop killing the bounce after executing this stunt.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: The overhead mechanic is perfect.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: Learn to do this stunt out of a back flip and a brani, and learn to do a brani and a back out of the back double.

Stunt (34): FRONT ONE AND THREE-QUARTERS, BRANI OUT

PREREQUISITES: Front one and one-quarter. Crash dive, to a back drop and brani out. Lots of experience on all these.

DESCRIPTION: Execute a front one and three-quarters to a back drop; then from the back drop execute a brani to the feet.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: You should come out of the one and three-quarters high, open up for control, then crash dive. Kick for height out of the back drop, then throw the brani.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: This stunt is thrown harder than the front one and one-quarter, with more height; but the tuck is held about the same length of time. The body opens as for a one and one-quarter, and the extra height provides enough time for the participant to see the tramp and execute a crash dive to a back drop. From the back drop the feet are kicked out and a brani is executed to the feet.

FREQUENT ERRORS: If the prerequisites are thoroughly learned, the only common error is that the hips sometimes are carried over too far for a good back drop. Spotters!

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: This stunt leads to the brani out front double, also called the brani out fliffes.

Stunt (35): FRONT DOUBLE, BRANI OUT (Called a Fliffes)

PREREQUISITES: Front one and three-quarters to back drop with brani out to the feet. A few front double attempts in the overhead mechanic.

DESCRIPTION: The stunt is initiated like a front double. As the first flip is completed, a brani is executed to the feet.

ILLUSTRATION:

TEACHING PROCEDURES: The Pond's belt and overhead mechanic are advised. Obtain maxi­mum height with control, and throw as for a front double. The first flip is done on the way up; then as the head comes up and the second front is started, throw it into a brani. The landing will be as it is when completing a back double and the tramp will be visible. This fliffes is more useful than the front double because landing is more reliable.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Lack of height, be blended into one.)
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: The Pond1 s twisting belt may be used to good advantage. The stunt can be learned with no belt, but the prerequisites must be down cold. Spotters always should be on hand.

Tendency to make two separate stunts out of it. (It must PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: relatively easy out of this.

Try it out of a stunt and follow it with another. A brani is
Stunt (36): BRANI IN BACK OUT FLIFFES

PREREQUISITES: A good brani to back drop, and a good back double.

DESCRIPTION: The performer executes a brani and while still in the air, does a back flip landing on his feet.

ILLUSTRATION:

MAJOR CUES: Brani early and start the back as soon as the half twist is complete.

TEACHING PROCEDURES: The Pondfs belt and overhead mechanic are recommended. Obtain maximum height with control. Throw a brani on the way up; then, while the feet are still overhead, throw the back flip. If one waits until erect to throw the back, it will be too late so the back must be initiated as soon as the twist is complete.

FREQUENT ERRORS: Insufficient height. Failure to pull for the back flip while still inverted. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: The Pond's twisting belt works well and is recommended.

PROGRESSIONS OR COMBINATIONS: Try to put this stunt with other stunts so it can be used in routines.

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