Raiz Twist
Raiz Twist
The Raiz Twist is a Raiz with one additional twist prior to landing. It is also more commonly known as Cheat 720 Twist or sometimes 540 Twist.
But In my opinion there is a difference between Raiz Twist and Cheat 720 Twist. The Raiz Twist should have about 90 degrees of flatspin and should be at least horizontal or even inverted.
The Cheat 720 Twist is more like a roll and has no Flatspin. It should be horizontal or at least near it.
So, the Raiz Twist is a Snapuswipe without the Swipe (or as the name suggest, a fulltwisted Raiz) and the Cheat 720 Twist is a Caliroll with one rotation less.
(both can be called 540 Twist, because that’s the amount of in air rotation for both tricks)
Raiz Twist
Notice how I’m entering the trick as I would for a Raiz. And I land facing the same way as I would If I did a Raiz (So it’s a Raiz with a Twist before landing). This is the Flatspin, the most differentiating factor from a Cheat 720 Twist.
Cheat 720 Twist
Notice the different approach for this trick. I’m entering the trick in a half circle step and then jump and roll over to finish the trick. There is still a slight amount of Flatspin but almost no traces of a Raiz. If you would deduct one twist from this trick, it won’t be a Raiz but something like a laid back Tornado kick with no kick.
Progressing into the tricks
The really hard part about these two tricks, is that there are no real progressions to it. You have to learn them by doing them. There are ways however to slowly prepare yourself for it.
Higher Raiz
It’s very important, that you’re able to set and gain height with your cheat setup, to fit another rotation into the Raiz. You can just drill Raiz over and over again or you can also try to Raiz onto an elevated surface or even just uphill. You will get used to setting for height first, before you finish the trick.
Learn some Raiz variations
Being able to Sideswipe, Swipeknife, Windex or Envergado, won’t help you directly with the Raiz Twist, but they can help you to get more familiar with the setup and how to gain height. You see, to perform a nice and clean Swipeknife you need some more lift than you would need for just a Sideswipe. That means if you learn how to Swipeknife, you also learn how to get more height. A Raiz Twist is essentially a Hyper Swipeknife minus the kicks.
Learn Cheat 900 first
This is a very uncommon way to learn this trick but it can work. The Cheat 720 Twist is basically a Cheat 900 horizontally with no kick. But you’ll need one that takes off all the way from backside making it in True Kick Terminology (TKT) a Cheat 540 Round. If you have a Cheat 900 that takes off from inside or even Frontside (TKT Cheat 360 Round) that would turn into a Wrap- or Takfull if done horizontally.
So if you have one of those very good Cheat 9s, then all you need to do is lean back on the takeoff a little bit and perform it horizontally with no kick.
Practice on a soft surface
Cheat Setup Twists are generally a bit more dangerous, because of their weird axis. The Raiz Twist especially, since it’s a trick with no real direct prerequisites. The best way to get used to the twisting motion is to do it into a foam pit, water, sand or mats. Just enter from your cheat setup and try to twist as much as possible. You will crash a lot, so make sure that the surface is soft and won’t hurt you.
How to Raiz Twist
Choose the most comfortable setup for you Raiz. I just used a Touchdown Hook Kick here. Don’t use a run up (you wouldn’t run into a Raiz either, would you?), as this trick doesn’t rely much on a strong block for height, but on a good and high Raiz. You may also lose some Flatspin and Inversion with a run up, turning it into a Cheat 720 Twist.
Swing that first leg up high. This will dictate how high the overall trick will be. Use your arms to gain as much height as possible. As soon as you leave the floor and your body starts to turn into the Raiz, that’s when you rip the twist. Do not twist too early. You don’t want to twist into the ground. You want to Raiz on the way up and twist on the way down. Your Raiz can’t stay level either. You really want that Raiz to rise! (Record yourself and see if you’re actually gaining height after your takeoff).
The twist should be fast. Bring your arms into your body and try to spot the floor early for a safe landing.
It can be really hard to bring your legs together for a tight twist, since they start so far apart. Just don’t let them flail around. Tense you leg muscles and bring them as close together as you possibly can. Some trickers do theirs with bent legs and that can also work.
You don’t have to arch your back as much as you would for the Raiz, as it can be hard to initiate a twist from such a position at first. Just set and spot the floor and you should be good.
How to Cheat 720 Twist
The Cheat 720 Twist utilises blocked momentum to gain height. So choose a Setup where you can turn some horizontal momentum into vertical. I’m using a small half circle step for mine (similar to a K-Step).
Block into the ground hard and fast. As you do, swing your first leg up. It does not have to be swung up straight, like in the Raiz Twist. A good and strong knee drive will do the trick too. Rise up your arms before you enter the step and then swing them down and up again in a circular motion to gain height.
You will start to twist pretty much immediately, after you leave the floor. Make sure you pushed all the way through your toes. If done correctly you should complete the first half of the twist on the way up and the second as you come down.
There is no need to arch your back, like you would for the Raiz twist. Just keep everything tight and squeeze through the twist. There is no flip or flatspin. It’s a bit easier to keep everything tight, since you don’t have to enter a Raiz position first before you initiate the twist.
Tips
Experiment if you're more comfortable with Raiz Twist or Cheat 720 Twist and stick with that route. You will eventually learn both as soon as you get comfortable with one.
Record yourself and look for mistakes. If you're landing on your knees or even on your side, you may be twisting into the ground instead of setting first. Maybe you're blocking your momentum not good enough or you have too much contact time in your block (you want it to be strong and fast).
Use your arms to gain height in both variations.
At first I always crashed onto my knees or my side. As soon as I actually thought about bringing my feet down for the landing, I started to land it. It may sound weird but it actually works. Focus hard on turning around fast, as you initiate the twist, and bring your feet right underneath you for the landing. You have to drive those feet with the intention of bringing them underneath you.