Arabian
Arabian
Performing tricker: bam.defocus
The Arabian is a Backflip that turns into a Frontflip in midair. It’s a lot easier if you just think of it as just a frontflip that is entered from the back instead of the front.
The Back Layout may help you to learn how to block for height, but a comfortable back tuck is sufficient too.
(Also known as Backflip 180)
01 Backflip
You can learn the Arabian first if you want to (because it is less scary), but the backtuck will teach you how to jump up and set before the flip. That will make sure you’re not just diverolling and actually flipping. Get the backtuck first and the arabian will be a lot easier and better.
02 Frontflip
The most important prerequisite for this trick. The Arabian is 80 percent Frontflip and 20 percent backflip. Try to jump with full extension and push all the way through your toes to gain as much height as possible before you tuck in tight for a fast flipping rotation. Engange your core to flip faster.
03 Arabian
Now put it together. Jump up with your whole body straight like you would for a high backtuck or layout. Do not leave the floor too soon. Push all the way through full extension.
Now here’s a small difference to the set of the backtuck. You will want to raise one arm at a time, instead of simultaneously. The first arm will be the one that directs your twisting direction. So if you twist to your left, raise your left arm first and then the other. This way you’ll get a little bit of twisting momentum.
As soon as you leave the floor - think frontflip all the way. Tuck in tightly just like you would for the frontflip, because it’s just that. A frontflip entered from the back.
Tips
The cart front is a useful prerequisite too. The Arabian is actually a Backflip 180 OR a 180 Frontflip. The cart front is a 90 Frontflip, because you enter the frontflip with your hip facing the direction of momentum. To change your cart front into an arabian all that’s left is to add 90 degrees.
As you get more efficient with this trick, try to complete the flip in midair and then open up for the landing. If you have a ‘hard’ landing, you may be traveling too much and / or you don’t have enough height.