AntiPinkChrissy 0 #1 April 27, 2004 I did a quick search for this but didn't really come up with anything, sorry if it is a duplicate. I am trying to learn headdown, it seems that I am having the typical newbie problems, lazy legs and back sliding, haven't really found my 'head' yet. My FF suit has little drag on it due to the fact that I am pretty light. When I started belly flying and sitflying I had a problem with my fallrate, but once I overcame that, I have found I have a great amount of range, it's just a little bit frustrating when you are trying to learn something new. My question is: when people are starting to learn sitflying people say to start learning in shorts and a baggy long sleeve t-shirt since having drag on top helps. Correct me if I am wrong, but I would think that having a lot of drag at the bottom of my FF suit would help me find the HD position I am looking for. I'm getting a little bit frustrated because I am not progressing as fast as I would like, I definately need to spend more time concenrating only on HD, which I haven't done yet, but I would like to approach it as efficient as possible. Soooo for those experts out there and people who have faced the same hurdles, do you think I should switch to my baggy FF pants (I already have a pair so it wouldn't be a big deal) and learn with some training wheels? I am totally a believer in flying your body and not your suit, but I would like to make some progress the quickest way possible. Or would it make things harder when I switch back to my regular FF suit? thanks!! Chrissy ~La La Gang Member #2~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunnydee123 0 #2 April 27, 2004 Chrissy I am still on the newbie side of things (got about 120 HD jumps under my belt now) but from my experience, I don't think baggy pants will help much. They would almost be a crutch and that is not what you want. You have to learn to feel that pressure and push against it without tensing up much. There is SO much to it, I also have been frustrated but am happy with each new piece that clicks into place. Headdown is all about the legs..LEGS, LEGS, LEGS...and although I thought I had that part under my hat, now that I have the whole "relax" the shoulders/arms thing going on finally, I realize how much work I still need with my legs. They are your steering wheel, your acceleration, your brakes. I too am a bit smaller and have very little drag on my suit but it has served it's purpose for me so don't be so concerned about that (in my humble opinion). I know not many of us have tons of cash to spend on coaching, but if you can get a few jumps with a coach, they are very helpful...then you can go do your homework for a handful of jumps and try to grasp all you were told. A very good friend told me that solos are a good thing so sometimes with a puss on my face, I would go make my solo jumps and then come down all excited if something clicked. It's also great to have another good flier with you, who can get out of your way since you are moving around (know all about that ) and also be that refernce point for you. FYI, for solos I make sure to ask for separation or even get out last just so I knew the air is all mine and I can FOCUS. Always safety first - we are hauling ass at this point OK, before I babble on forever, just don't get frustrated and know good things don't just happen over night. Personally I think HD has got to be one of the hardest disciplines to learn so take your time and make sure to find the fun in each jump. What I am doing right now is I am going out and acting like a total goof ball with my arms, so I am forcing my legs to fly no matter what the rest of me is doing....boxing, praying, disco dancing...you name it. I hope I said this correctly but I am just sharing all I've been told along the way, so far. Good luck girl! Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WrongWay 0 #3 April 27, 2004 Jeez Chrissy, you couldn't just ask El Sporto? I kid, I kid!! You gotta remember that more bag isn't always more drag. Kinda like the pro suits that alchemy wears, they're not baggy, but still have lots of drag cuz they're heavier material. You want whatever pants have the most drag, whether it's in the bag or the thickness of the pants. Another thing you'll want to think about is the fact that the more material you have flopping about, the more you'll have to fight to get your body where you want it to be. Have one of the experienced freefly dudes check out the two pairs of pants and they'll prolly be able to tell you which will be easier to start with. If you want a quick and easy way to build up the muscles you need to kill that "lazy legs" habit, go to the gym and do those butterfly thingies. This'll be easy for you cuz you're a girl and won't be made fun of for working out in the girlie room. Hope this helps. Wrong Way D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451 The wiser wolf prevails. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AntiPinkChrissy 0 #4 April 27, 2004 Denise- Thanks for sharing! What you say does make a lot of sense. I have been reading your HD progress (way to go by the way) so it is very helpful to hear what you have to say since your experiences are relatively recent and it seems like you have had similiar hurdles in your progress. I guess I wanted to make sure I'm not *wasting* my time doing things they way I am or that I would be wasting time by changing things up a bit. I have gotten a handful of coaching jumps when I first started playing around with HD. They were the best thing I could have done since I am learning with the correct body position. I think my biggest problem at this point is I have not done enough solos, I think I have only done a couple actually. I guess sometimes I find them lonely! LOL! Definately safety first, I know to track off the windline and transition every 5 seconds or so. I actually went out on a HD jump this weekend with a friend and instead of backsliding away like usual, I was pushing into him, I thought this was an accomplishment! WW- Are you trying to say I need to hit the gym! HA, just kidding. And of course I asked Sporto's opinion, I can never get enough info though! I think my lazy legs are coming along slowly but surely. I think I am getting closer to finding that 'balancing' point. Edited to add: the FF pants I do have create drag. They are made my da'kine and are double layered, I did use them once on a HD jump, it was a solo turned 2 way out of a 182. When the person let go of me on that dive, I stayed right in place whereas I usually squirt backwards, I figured it was the pants that helped me. ~La La Gang Member #2~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunnydee123 0 #5 April 27, 2004 Well my guy has really pushed me to do solos. He has been a HUGE learning curve boost for me but gives me a handful of jumps and then tells me to go practice. Seriously, I can't say enough about them. Then you can ask someone to make a jump with you and get some more feedback. I did a jump with a pal this past weekend and was able to break grips, stay in his face, went for a dock, backslid a bit then got back to him....I was all smiles. So keep on doing what you are doing, and keep the ears open cause there is all sorts of info floating around when ya least expect it You should come to FL and we could train together Dreams become reality, one choice at a time... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AntiPinkChrissy 0 #6 April 27, 2004 I will definately have to do a bunch of solos. I guess before I saw them as kind of a waste since I couldn't really 'see' what I was doing. But you are right they are a great learning tool plus that way I can try new things without worrying about other people. I am lucky too that my boyfriend is one kickass freeflyer and he has taught me sooo much so far. QuoteYou should come to FL and we could train together Believe me I would love to!! Every Fall and Winter I wonder why I live in Michigan. I will be in Florida a few times for sure this winter though, we will have to meet up then! ~La La Gang Member #2~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmfreefly 0 #7 April 28, 2004 QuoteIf you want a quick and easy way to build up the muscles you need to kill that "lazy legs" habit, go to the gym and do those butterfly thingies. A side note, but in this same vein: When I have helped people 'feel' good leg position and what it will feel like to resist the air, I usually put them in a doorway (a double doorway is even better because it is really wide), with the outside of each foot against the door jam. Then I tell them to push out as hard as they can to 'widen' the doorway. That is the only way I have figured out how to convey that feeling easily. (Granted in the air it is more than just your feet doing the work) j Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linzi 0 #8 April 28, 2004 Exactly the same thing for me! Im trying to learn head down but seems to be a steep back track followed by a steep belly track etc, and only gettin on my head in the middle for a couple of seconds a time!! Could do with some advice!"It was mainly serves" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #9 May 1, 2004 If you keep your abs tight like you are doing a half crunch, it takes away that tendancy to arch and helps train your spine to stay vertical. AND, it give you a pretty waist line! No arch, spine vertical, no more backsliding. Keep your eyes on the horizon, just like AFF and start monitoring heading control. Just for starters. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AntiPinkChrissy 0 #10 May 3, 2004 QuoteIf you keep your abs tight like you are doing a half crunch, it takes away that tendancy to arch and helps train your spine to stay vertical. AND, it give you a pretty waist line! No arch, spine vertical, no more backsliding. Keep your eyes on the horizon, just like AFF and start monitoring heading control. Just for starters. Thanks for all of the tips everyone, I will have to try this one this weekend, and I get to work on my abs at the same time! ~La La Gang Member #2~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
goose491 0 #11 May 5, 2004 Training wheels for HD?... hmmm, you could try a pilot chute tied around each ankle. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
