Back flip
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Back flip is a generic term for a sequence of body movements in which a person leaps into the air, performs one complete backwards revolution while still in the air, and then lands on the feet. Variations of back flips, such as the back tuck and back layout, are performed in gymnastics, tricking, acro dance and various other activities. Back flips can be started from a stationary, standing position and they are also commonly executed immediately following another rotational move, such as a roundoff, so as to take advantage of the angular momentum developed in the earlier move.
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[edit] Variations
- Back tuck
- In a back tuck, the body is curled up tightly into a ball. The knees are as close to the chest as possible, with the hands clutching the knees. By "tucking" together tightly in this manner, the body is able to reach maximum angular velocity, thus minimizing the time required for the body to complete its revolution.
- Pitch tuck
- This is an "assisted" back tuck that is executed by partners. One partner forms a "saddle" with his hands. The second partner steps onto the saddle and then the first partner thrusts the saddle upward. The second partner, who is propelled upward with back rotation, executes a back tuck.
- Layout
- The body is held rigid, with legs together and fully extended, and arms held tightly to the sides. Compared to the back tuck, this move requires both higher angular momentum and greater distance from the floor in order to ensure sufficient time to complete the rotation before landing.
- X-Out
- The legs are extended outwards to the sides forming a "V" shape, while the arms are extended similarly, mirroring the legs, together defining an "X" shape.
- Flashkick
- Similar to a layout except that the legs are split along the plane of body rotation.
- Gainer
- A gainer is any back flip that ends with the performer forward of the starting point. This differs from most other back flips, in which the flip ends with the performer either at or behind the starting point.
- Standing back tuck
- A back tuck that is executed from a stationary, standing position.
- Catwalk
- Similar to a back tuck, but with legs moving in a running motion.
