Topic: How get into a little freerunning?

[Acewall]

I've been doing PK for about 6 months now, I have all the basics down solid. Now that I have them down I would like to try some freerunning. Over the summer I learned a front flip, and fine tuned my palm spins. Also recently I've been working on spinning, I know it sounds dumb, but it's really hard to get past a 540 with out jumping off something. Anways, I just wanted to know what I should start doing. Like does anyone have tips?

I've been thinking about backflips as the next place to go. But I'm terrified of them. What should I do? Just do it?

And lastly, this may sound dumb, but I feel ALOT more comfortable with the idea of a gainer opposed to a standing backflip. I don't know why, but I feel like I'd be better off trying that first. But I'm probably wrong.

I'm sorry if this came out all disorganized, I'm kinda just writing off the top of my head.

[Matt Hudson]

Go to a gym where there's plenty of padding.
And check out some of the back flip tutorials on youtube( I know youtube sucks, but it has it's values)
I'll post one when I find it, I think it was really informational.

[Matt Hudson]

Here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=521NIVPIxWs

[Cody Beltramo]

The gainer thing actually isn't that weird.  I've been able to do backflips for a while, but just got a gainer a little while ago, and I'd actually be more confident doing a gainer onto concrete opposed to a backflip off of something.  I'm not sure why, it just seems like a more natural flip for me.  I'd suggest learning the backflip first, it should be easier to learn and after learning it you can get used to backwords rotation for the gainer.

As for learning the backflip, I'd suggest finding a gym and just working with a trampoline for a while.  Start working with less bounce, and then on the gym floor with a spotter when you get confident.  For gainers, I don't really have any suggestions if you don't have access to a foam pit.

[Acewall]

Ok, I'm going to a gym every soon, and I plan on going every friday for open gym night. I cannot wait!!!!! But yeah thats pretty much the best back flip tutorial ever, I've watched it several times. Is there any trick for getting over the fear of going backwards?

[Matt Hudson]

Yes
Get a spotter.