Topic: Backflip trouble!

[CloudInTheSky]

Hello everyone! My problem is that I can do a backflip just fine and without hesitation off of a somewhat soft surface (e.g. those red blocks in the gym or panel mats). However, as soon as I try to do it off of a completely solid surface such as a brick wall or something I forget everything! I panic and freeze up! What's going on?

[SkyNative]

Need more practice!
Then try to transition more incrementally. Like off a hard wall onto a mat.

[CloudInTheSky]

Are there any drills or something to help with that? What else can I do? I mean it's like...there are only so many things that are really soft to really solid...

[Alec Furtado]

Maybe just do it on the soft mat until you don't even need to think about it anymore. Then just go out and do it on hard ground without thinking so you don't allow yourself to psyche yourself out... just an idea.

[Bryan Petersen]

Alright, give this a try.... Continue doing backflips onto the mat, when you get into your groove, you're warmed up, not even scared anymore, have a friend move the mat randomly without telling you, you wouldn't even notice the mat missing until you've done landed your backflip.

Good luck

[Adam McC]

Alright, give this a try.... Continue doing backflips onto the mat, when you get into your groove, you're warmed up, not even scared anymore, have a friend move the mat randomly without telling you, you wouldn't even notice the mat missing until you've done landed your backflip.

Good luck

Not a bad suggestion, but I actually think making a conscious commitment to the movement is better than tricking yourself out. Like people have said before me, get more comfy with it physically, make it muscle memory so you don't have to remember anything, then try it off a hard surface, onto a mat. Then a thinner mat. Then you just gotta commit bro.

[Iechine]

I started doing them in private lessons. My teacher just kind of weens me off of mats, he adds thinner mats to the soft mats to gradually make the landing harder.

But in my own experience over the last 2 months, its muscle memory and also adrenaline. Do 10 minutes of them onto mats to get yourself pumped before going for the flat ground.

I still get psyched out too.