#tramploline

Jumping and bouncing; trampolining is an activity which is both fun and beneficial for our health. Trampolines are increasingly popular among both kids and adults as it offers a pleasurable retreat from our daily lives. Trampolining is also a very efficient and challenging way to step up your fitness levels as it is said to enhance coordination, strength, flexibility and balance.

But before you go and try a tuck jump or somersault on the trampoline, it’s important to master the basics. Whether you’re a sedentary person trying to zest up your life or an adventure enthusiast trying to explore the sport for the very first time; learning the right skills and tricks for trampolining is indispensable. Here is a brief guide from Trampoline Boss about the critical skills you must learn in order to enjoy the activity without injury.  

Bounces

Before attempting the difficult trampoline moves, it’s important to learn to stop safely. Stopping safely requires bending the knees as you are about to touchdown on a trampoline. If you lean forward or backward before landing, you might fall over or pig off the side. Similarly, not bending enough will cause you to bounce again. Once you learn to stop safely if necessary, you can go ahead and try to jump higher.

When it comes to bouncing the key is to establish a good rhythm. Start with low controlled bounces; push your toes down into the bed at the same time gently moving the arms in circles up and round. As the bounces become higher, you will need to reach up as high and straight as possible.

Basic Shapes

There are three basic trampoline shapes- Tuck jump, straddle and pike jump.

For a tuck jump, you need to bring your knees to the level of your chest and then grab your knees with your hands. If you can tuck up fast enough, then you will quickly achieve the rotation required for different jump styles.

Straddle and Pike jump are other essential shapes that contribute to achieving balance and pre-determine later moves. For straddle jump, you will need to keep your legs in a position identical to splits and resembling a triangle without a base. On the other hand, pike jump is similar to straddle except you need to form ‘L’ shape with your body by keeping your legs up horizontally.

Landing

There are four possible landing positions, which include seat landing, front landing, back landing, and feet landing.

•    Feet landing: done in a standing position

•    Seat landing: done in a sitting down position with legs pointing straight ahead

•    Front landing: done on the stomach, or front, with hands under the chin

•    Back landing: done on the back with arms & legs pointing upward