[DanceWithTheDevil]

If you're going CW, what can you do to prevent the legs from hitting the floor right after your left hand hits the ground?

[Zarathustra.]

from what im told and in the video posted, you're kind of up in a handstand but not that vertical with the legs. its like how momentum is keeping your legs swinging up there and making sure that your upper body is keeping up with the momentum so you wont fall. but it is like an angled handstand because your legs will be kicking in a windmill like motion and you will be leaning to one side to go for the jump.

[Philosophy]

(EDIT: My first attempt at an airflare was a few months ago, but even at that time, I wasn't seriously practicing them. I was just throwing an attempt every once in awhile. I actually started practicing them a few weeks ago and saw no improvement from what I was doing, so I just tried something new. Which is explained in the this post.)

I got one airflare the other day, and it was because I tried what I was always afraid of trying. Most beginners try to do airflares like the pros: they rely on their momentum to be able to reach around their bodies.

Here's what I tried: instead of reaching around my back and risking going horizontal with my body, I reached around my head. It's hard to explain, but I'll try.

Firstly I'll be giving examples about the arms, so assume you're just in a standing position and focusing on how the arms work.

The way you don't want to do it:
Both arms in front of you, parallel with each other, perpendicular to the body. Both arms remain straight, while one arm (depending on which way you airflare) starts to move out to the side, while still staying perpendicular to the body. Your body keeps turning to follow that arm, and eventually the other arm follows. This is the point in an airflare where both arms would be off the ground and you're blindly reaching for the ground with the first arm. Most beginners can't do this because of lack of form, power, and momentum. That's also why when their first arm hits the ground, their legs fall along with it.

The right way to try it:
Both arms in front of you but above, at the same time. Sort of like creating a 120 degree angle with the rest of your body. Both arms straight and parallel. Instead of reaching alllll the way around your body, spot your base hand (the hand that leaves the ground AFTER the first one). As your body begins to turn and your first hand starts to move away, keep watching that second hand, even if you have to arch your back. Your first arm should still be UP, it should never be perpendicular to your body. Almost like while you're spinning, you want to keep both arms as close together as you can while still rotating and catching some air. As you keep turning, your first hand will always be reaching for your second hand because you're spotting it, and eventually, that second hand will start to move away from the starting spot unless you have gross flexible shoulders and can do reach-over airflares. Haha. So as the second hand starts to move, that's when you know you're catching air at the time. BUT, you're still spotting your landing (not your hand anymore, you're spotting the ground) and since your arms are closer together--since you're reaching around your head, not your body--you'll be able to catch the ground and the landing with your first hand a lot easier.

Think of it this way: if your bicep is hugging your ear, you're already reaching for your landing.

I don't know if that's a very good explanation of it, but if I get a clean airflare down, I'll totally post a tutorial.

[BananaMilk]

Originally Posted by Philosophy

(EDIT: My first attempt at an airflare was a few months ago, but even at that time, I wasn't seriously practicing them. I was just throwing an attempt every once in awhile. I actually started practicing them a few weeks ago and saw no improvement from what I was doing, so I just tried something new. Which is explained in the this post.)

I got one airflare the other day, and it was because I tried what I was always afraid of trying. Most beginners try to do airflares like the pros: they rely on their momentum to be able to reach around their bodies.

Here's what I tried: instead of reaching around my back and risking going horizontal with my body, I reached around my head. It's hard to explain, but I'll try.

Firstly I'll be giving examples about the arms, so assume you're just in a standing position and focusing on how the arms work.

The way you don't want to do it:
Both arms in front of you, parallel with each other, perpendicular to the body. Both arms remain straight, while one arm (depending on which way you airflare) starts to move out to the side, while still staying perpendicular to the body. Your body keeps turning to follow that arm, and eventually the other arm follows. This is the point in an airflare where both arms would be off the ground and you're blindly reaching for the ground with the first arm. Most beginners can't do this because of lack of form, power, and momentum. That's also why when their first arm hits the ground, their legs fall along with it.

The right way to try it:
Both arms in front of you but above, at the same time. Sort of like creating a 120 degree angle with the rest of your body. Both arms straight and parallel. Instead of reaching alllll the way around your body, spot your base hand (the hand that leaves the ground AFTER the first one). As your body begins to turn and your first hand starts to move away, keep watching that second hand, even if you have to arch your back. Your first arm should still be UP, it should never be perpendicular to your body. Almost like while you're spinning, you want to keep both arms as close together as you can while still rotating and catching some air. As you keep turning, your first hand will always be reaching for your second hand because you're spotting it, and eventually, that second hand will start to move away from the starting spot unless you have gross flexible shoulders and can do reach-over airflares. Haha. So as the second hand starts to move, that's when you know you're catching air at the time. BUT, you're still spotting your landing (not your hand anymore, you're spotting the ground) and since your arms are closer together--since you're reaching around your head, not your body--you'll be able to catch the ground and the landing with your first hand a lot easier.

Think of it this way: if your bicep is hugging your ear, you're already reaching for your landing.

I don't know if that's a very good explanation of it, but if I get a clean airflare down, I'll totally post a tutorial.

I hope you get a clean one so you can post a tutorial soon :]

[DanceWithTheDevil]

Originally Posted by Philosophy

(EDIT: My first attempt at an airflare was a few months ago, but even at that time, I wasn't seriously practicing them. I was just throwing an attempt every once in awhile. I actually started practicing them a few weeks ago and saw no improvement from what I was doing, so I just tried something new. Which is explained in the this post.)

I got one airflare the other day, and it was because I tried what I was always afraid of trying. Most beginners try to do airflares like the pros: they rely on their momentum to be able to reach around their bodies.

Here's what I tried: instead of reaching around my back and risking going horizontal with my body, I reached around my head. It's hard to explain, but I'll try.

Firstly I'll be giving examples about the arms, so assume you're just in a standing position and focusing on how the arms work.

The way you don't want to do it:
Both arms in front of you, parallel with each other, perpendicular to the body. Both arms remain straight, while one arm (depending on which way you airflare) starts to move out to the side, while still staying perpendicular to the body. Your body keeps turning to follow that arm, and eventually the other arm follows. This is the point in an airflare where both arms would be off the ground and you're blindly reaching for the ground with the first arm. Most beginners can't do this because of lack of form, power, and momentum. That's also why when their first arm hits the ground, their legs fall along with it.

The right way to try it:
Both arms in front of you but above, at the same time. Sort of like creating a 120 degree angle with the rest of your body. Both arms straight and parallel. Instead of reaching alllll the way around your body, spot your base hand (the hand that leaves the ground AFTER the first one). As your body begins to turn and your first hand starts to move away, keep watching that second hand, even if you have to arch your back. Your first arm should still be UP, it should never be perpendicular to your body. Almost like while you're spinning, you want to keep both arms as close together as you can while still rotating and catching some air. As you keep turning, your first hand will always be reaching for your second hand because you're spotting it, and eventually, that second hand will start to move away from the starting spot unless you have gross flexible shoulders and can do reach-over airflares. Haha. So as the second hand starts to move, that's when you know you're catching air at the time. BUT, you're still spotting your landing (not your hand anymore, you're spotting the ground) and since your arms are closer together--since you're reaching around your head, not your body--you'll be able to catch the ground and the landing with your first hand a lot easier.

Think of it this way: if your bicep is hugging your ear, you're already reaching for your landing.

I don't know if that's a very good explanation of it, but if I get a clean airflare down, I'll totally post a tutorial.

Thanks dude. I totally see what you're saying about the first method, which is what im doing. Im still having a little trouble grasping the second concept, but ill look over it a few times and try it once I completely get it

respect, looking forward to the tutorial

[sheruken]

Originally Posted by Philosophy

(EDIT: My first attempt at an airflare was a few months ago, but even at that time, I wasn't seriously practicing them. I was just throwing an attempt every once in awhile. I actually started practicing them a few weeks ago and saw no improvement from what I was doing, so I just tried something new. Which is explained in the this post.)

I got one airflare the other day, and it was because I tried what I was always afraid of trying. Most beginners try to do airflares like the pros: they rely on their momentum to be able to reach around their bodies.

Here's what I tried: instead of reaching around my back and risking going horizontal with my body, I reached around my head. It's hard to explain, but I'll try.

Firstly I'll be giving examples about the arms, so assume you're just in a standing position and focusing on how the arms work.

The way you don't want to do it:
Both arms in front of you, parallel with each other, perpendicular to the body. Both arms remain straight, while one arm (depending on which way you airflare) starts to move out to the side, while still staying perpendicular to the body. Your body keeps turning to follow that arm, and eventually the other arm follows. This is the point in an airflare where both arms would be off the ground and you're blindly reaching for the ground with the first arm. Most beginners can't do this because of lack of form, power, and momentum. That's also why when their first arm hits the ground, their legs fall along with it.

The right way to try it:
Both arms in front of you but above, at the same time. Sort of like creating a 120 degree angle with the rest of your body. Both arms straight and parallel. Instead of reaching alllll the way around your body, spot your base hand (the hand that leaves the ground AFTER the first one). As your body begins to turn and your first hand starts to move away, keep watching that second hand, even if you have to arch your back. Your first arm should still be UP, it should never be perpendicular to your body. Almost like while you're spinning, you want to keep both arms as close together as you can while still rotating and catching some air. As you keep turning, your first hand will always be reaching for your second hand because you're spotting it, and eventually, that second hand will start to move away from the starting spot unless you have gross flexible shoulders and can do reach-over airflares. Haha. So as the second hand starts to move, that's when you know you're catching air at the time. BUT, you're still spotting your landing (not your hand anymore, you're spotting the ground) and since your arms are closer together--since you're reaching around your head, not your body--you'll be able to catch the ground and the landing with your first hand a lot easier.

Think of it this way: if your bicep is hugging your ear, you're already reaching for your landing.

I don't know if that's a very good explanation of it, but if I get a clean airflare down, I'll totally post a tutorial.

i agree to this because it should keep your arms locked and if you were to just swing your arm around yourself to the floor you would either slip or your arm wouldnt hold ... am i correct ?

[BboyStaticX]

why are so many people !!BITCHIN!! over how pointless this thread is?

p.s airflares is fucking sexy!!!!!

[Street86th]

I would give up every move i have for airflare.. what do you think about that :P

[The Lyricist]

i wouldn't give up every move for airflare. Philosophy, you are on the right track. that's how i figured out how to do a clean airflare. The only way you can get better is to get used to not spotting. The reason i say this is because as soon as you catch, it's kinda hard to control it long enough to spot again if you plan on continuing. I made some airflare guide a while back that kinda said the same thing that you said. I'm gonna have to change my guide someday. but anyway, you are definitely on the right track.

im mad that i just got off football season for the last time only to be impaired for 6 months at the most because of a surgery in 2 weeks. During these two weeks im gonna practice elbow airflares. I got one down after about 2 days of practice. continuing them is something im gonna figure out. the concept is the same for airflares, except for the fact that airflares are more laid out and on your hands and elbows need more vertical because you are so low to the ground. The concept is to look at the sky/ceiling/stars/sun/moon and pretty much wait on one arm until your legs kinda catch up. You push hard with that arm, throw the other one just enough to catch and control (don't overthrow, it screws up the whole purpose of continuous, which i'm still trying to correct), and consciously pull/swing/kick the leg that everyone talks about UP. as you are hopping (pushing hard like a blowup bboy), the upness of that leg will help lift your hips enough for your legs to have space between the ground and give you a lot more time to correct your legs/hair/clothes. please try to hold your hips up and not let them sink to the ground, kinda like a slightly higher planche.

[A7 BBOY]

ok, everyone, im back....it has been along time since i didnt practice anymore, now, im here with you all , we shouldnt give up, try again and again...i will never retreat !

[A7 BBOY]

the lyricist, you are the only one here know how to air flare, plz give us ur tips in all of ur practice progress !
i, myself, stucked at the flipping and landing part.... it's too low..
And,as usual, plx help ! thx u !

[BBoy_Slinky_SLC_UT]

My Attempt!! I cant figure it out from here!!

[Bboy-Regen]

should you be looking and tilting your head back on airflare? or does it help at all. or is it better to keep it straight?