Back and front loops

[surf4life11 0]

Was just wondering if anyone out there could give me some advice on doing front and back loops? I have tried twice so far and come out of each with a roll and one I ended up on my back. I have no problems with chipping or hover control and stability but cannot seem to get the loops correctly. Thanks

[AggieDave 6]

Talk to your instructors about it first.


Move your body like you're trying to do one off the highdive and you'll do the flip.

Once you get most of the way over, about 2/3s of the way back to being belly to earth, ARCH and you'll stop.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[councilman24 37]

If you can find an old RW competitor talk to them. RW competition used to be build a fourway, do a back loop, and build the second formation. Time was from the break to the second complete formation so fast, close backloops were important. I learned to do backloops from a three time world champ. One of the keys to back loops is using your arms to push you through against the relative wind. As your knees come up to your chest start pushing down with your arms. They should remain essentially in position parallel to the ground as your trunk rotates around your shoulders. About when your on your back then your arms start following along. Arch early and get your legs out and your momentum carries you around.

Front loops? I still don't know how I do them, I just do.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[Clownburner 0]

When I was doing AFF I discovered that if you try to do them too fast they're harder and you end up rolling or spinning. Take it slow-and-easy and you'll be fine.

7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez
"I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

[riddler 0]

Practice, practice, practice.

Seriously, requirements for BL/FL are pretty much worthless IMO. This comes from the old days of freefall style. It's more important that you demonstrate that you can get back to stable from unstable. But the requirements are still there, so ya gotta do it.

I have seen a BL used effectively once. Building a three-way, we had the two-way together, and the last guy was above us. He moved into position about 10 feet up, and backlooped to drop and slid right into his slot. It was a very cool visual, and it took some creativity and skill to pull it off, but it's not the technique that most jumpers would use.

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[CornishChris 5]

I was told during my AFF that one of the reasons for doing the back loop was to get you unstable - they didn't expect me to be able to do it first time (proved em wrong). Then obviously as you are unstable you have to get stable again. Back loops will come with practise and as long as when you do end up on your back you can get yourself belly down and stable again you should have no problems.

Relax & enjoy.

CJP

Gods don't kill people. People with Gods kill people

[pilotdave 0]

As someone else said, try it slower. Pretend you're in a pool. For a backloop, I find it easiest to think of it like leaving the top half of your body alone and just bring your legs down under you. You'll flip right over. Use your arms to push on the air to pull you around. I think it helps to remember it's much more about aerodynamics than momentum. You don't have to swing around very fast to make it happen.

Front loops are just the opposite. Leave your legs alone and just bend the top half of your body down. Use your hands to push.

They seem really tricky till you learn the trick, then they just become really easy. Keep practicing.

Dave

[riggerrob 643]

There are two ways to do back loops. Councilman described the competition/advanced method.
The most likely cause of flopping over on your side is pulling your legs up unevenly, or pushing your arms down unevenly, or not keeping your head straight.
There is a simpler method that we often teach to beginners. Beginner backloops are slower, but easier to complete on heading.
Beginner backloops start by extending both arms straight out to the sides. Keeping your arms extended straight out to the sides is like having training wheels to prevent you from flopping over on your side.
Then you quickly pull your knees up to your chest to provide momentum. Keep your legs tucked up as you go over the top of the loop. When the world turns green again, open out into an arch.
Check altitude.

[John4455 0]

Backloops-bring knees to the chest then straighten lower legs. You will be over quickly.

How do ya like it Johnny?

[lazyfrog 0]

I think it helps to remember it's much more about aerodynamics than momentum. You don't have to swing around very fast to make it happen.

Front loops are just the opposite. Leave your legs alone and just bend the top half of your body down. Use your hands to push.
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pilot dave is right IMO... backloop is aerodynamic, frontloop is dynamic/momentum... what I do for frontloops is like throwing your upper body and try to eat your balls...

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Fumer tue, péter pue
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ourson #10, Mosquito Uno, CBT 579

[wiz 0]

instead of eating your balls, pretend you're breaking a board over your knee. Follow through and you should be looking at blue and then the horizon.

Waving off,
jeff.

[TEB6363 0]

Back loops, I usually tell people to let their arms go straight out to their sides as they drop their knees - this will put you almost in a sitting position. Once your legs are below you, you push your feet out in front and let the wind/air push your legs up in front of you and then up in the air. Once you are about 3/4 of the way through, you just arch aggressively and bring your arms and legs back into the "box" position and you will finish the back loop on your belly...

Front loop, the best way ever described to me (that really worked) was to just "dive" between your feet. Literally from a belly to earth position, put your hands together, bend fwd at the waist, and "dive" toward your feet. Once you make it to your back and are starting to face head-up, you bend your knees and spread your arms back to a relaxed position - this will push on the back of your arms while your legs are bent and you will finish the front loop by arching as you return face to earth...

Don't try to practice these on a creaper without a helmet

Once the plane takes off, you're gonna have to land - Might as well jump out!!