Stunting Tips |
| Posted by Jason (jt) on Jul 25 2010 at 3:43 PM |
TGA ELITE
General information
Here are some ways to become a better back spot:
1.) Squeeze - Make sure your squeeze the flier's foot/leg to stable her and make her feel comfortable.
2.) Lift up - Lift up on the flier's ankle/leg to take some of the weight off off the bases.
3.) Catch - When catching the cradle make sure you reach up, catch the flier high and absorb the catch to make the landing more comfortable for the flier.
4.) Safety - When a flier falls make sure you let go of the flier's leg/ankle and focus on protecting the flier's "Head, Kneck, and back". This is done by either wrapping the fliers waist Or catching her high so she does NOT over-rotate and land awkwardly.
5.) Encouragement - Encourage the flier when she's down and/or scared.
6.) Knowledge - (this can be tricky) If you are knowledgeable in the stunt and can help, then let the flier know what she can do to fix it. There are good ways and bad ways to go about this so beware. Please notice that this can have a negative effect if you are constantly correcting the flier over and over again without positive reinforcement.
(Fliers) When catching yourself in a cradle the flier needs to do the following:
1.) Pike for the cradle. If you pike a little OR not at all, then that places too much weight on the base(s) front arm and could cause the cradle to fall.
2.) Don't pike too much or your will fall through the bases arms and possibly hit the ground.
3.) Catch yourself up high on the base(s) shoulders where you can wrap your arms around their neck and shoulder. Don't aim for their upper or mid back this will place too much of your weight on the base(s) back arm.
4.) Catch yourself firmly to make it easier on the bases and to help ensure that you are caught.
"Holding your weight" is when the flier is able to use proper technique to alleviate any unnecessary weight off of the bases.
There are many ways to do this. When loading up into a basket/elevator you can alleviate your extra weight by holding yourself up on the bases' shoulders then shrugging off. This takes the weight off of the bases' hands and places it on their legs making you feel lighter.
Up in a stunt the flier can hold her weight by having proper technique. If a flier has her chest forward, is shaky, has a leg tangling, and/or is on her heel then that causes the bases to have to use more energy to adjust and push which makes the stunt feel heavier.
You may have heard coaches, instructors, or other members of your team telling you to have more body control,....BUT do you know what it is and how to control it?
"Body control" is exactly how it sounds...The ability to control your body. Here are some ways to have better body control:
1.) Squeeze your abs - Will help keep your mid-section in control.
2.) Squeeze your buttocks - Will help keep your hips stabilized and control your bottom core.
3.) Keep your head up - Will help keep your head above your shoulders and stop you from flipping over.
4.) Ride - Riding will give you time to pull off certain skills, and discourage bad habits.
5.) Knowing up to down - Pay attention to what's up and what's down. This "AIR SENSE" will help you with many flying skills.
6.) Technique - (Very important) without proper technique it's difficult to have good body control. Make sure you concentrate on the proper way to pull your skill.
7.) Confidence - Believe in yourself and don't be scared. Scared fliers tend to loose all sense of body control.
8.) Keep your eyes open - So you can see where you are at.
When doing Twist downs/full downs please make sure you DON'T Drop your shoulder. This will make you dive your twist toward the ground.
You want to shrug with your shoulders, ride the pop up, and pull up with your arms. Then remain tight, wrap your arms to your side, look with your head, pull your shoulders, and hips for the twist. YOU MUST REMAIN TIGHT FOR THE FULL DOWN.
Here are some Tips to work your Liberties and Stretches at home during break:
1.) Mirror - Watch yourself in a mirror OR on video to see if your technique is correct.
2.) Step up on a chair - Step up on the chair, and then pull your lib/stretch. This will help you with your step in’s, balancing, and staying tight in a liberty/stretch.
3.) (libs) Balance a tray/plate - When practicing a lib, try holding a tray/plate on your knee. This will teach you to keep your knee up in a liberty.
4.) Back to the wall - Pull your liberty/stretch with your back to the wall. It will show if you are loosing your form by reaching for your stunt. Your back/buttocks should always be touching the wall.
5.) How long - See how long you can hold your liberty/stretch on the ground and help your endurance.
6.) Balance on a stool/curb - Find something low to the ground to balance on.
7.) Partner up with thigh stands - Find a partner/parent to get into a lunge so that you can stand up on their thigh for a thigh stand. Work your libs and stretches on your partner’s thigh. Just make sure you have a spotter for safety reasons.
8.) Hold yourself up - Find a couple of chairs and work on your holding yourself up. It will help you gain some strength to help you push yourself up into a lib or stretch.