[Xu Chang]

~Valdez Guide~

Valdez/Floorflip/Macaco - a backhandspring from a crouching position, beginning with one hand planted on the floor. The main difficulty of this movement is being able to flip backwards, other than that it's an easy move. This guide will help you to be able to flip backwards.

This guide is for people who use left handplants as support during their crouch. The picture below shows leg movement and correct hand placement. Reverse the directions if you use a right handplant. If you get confused with any of the steps, check the picture below. (The guide goes by the figures, so refer back to the picture each step)

Figure I: As I said before, a Valdez starts from a crouching position. Just crouch on the ground and keep only your LEFT hand behind you on the ground for support, and your fingers pointing the opposite direction of your face. Keep your left arm locked, as it will temporarily serve as a base of support later on. Try not to have your feet too close or too far away from your body, or else you'll have trouble getting momentum.

Figure II: This step is to help you get used to flipping while your crouched, and your first step to flipping backwards. Get into your crouched position, and be ready to Cartwheel from there. In one movement swing your right arm sideways in a Cartwheel motion, and kick off the ground with your right foot first and your left leg following. Thrust your hips upwards to help in gaining momentum for your flip. This is the first step in learning the direction of movement.

Figure III: Once you've learned to do "Figure II" with ease, you're ready for a Valdez. Do step II and prepare for going backwards. Begin your flip, but with more of a slanted backhandspring motion rather than a full cartwheel. (Your body should be in a half cartwheel/backhandspring motion, which should be facing a bit to the left but not too much.) Once in this motion, swing your hand into a backwards direction. If you don't swing your hand backwards you'll have a fugly Valdez type flip. Swinging backwards will train you to go backwards, thus causing you to do a Valdez. Aim your right hand to plant close or slightly behind your left hand, which should remained locked at all times. Again, thrust your hips upwards for momentum and use your legs to help rotate yourself.

For a majority of people, the use of your head is needed as well as their hands to go backwards. This means if you flip facing sideways, backwards, or forwards your body will face and follow that general direction. If you try to Valdez while looking sideways, you'll have problems going over backwards completely straight and it will look slanted. This is the main problem and focus of a Valdez. Get over that stupid fear, because you'll need to look backwards in order to go backwards.

Kudos to you, you've performed a Valdez.

~Problems and Tips~

Common Problems: Fear of going backwards, falling mid-flip and speed issues.

Tips: These problems are all fairly easy to solve. It is only natural that you have a fear of going backwards. Your body is not used to such a movement, and has an involuntary action to twist or torque itself from going backwards. The EASIEST method in order to getting rid of that fear is to look up just before you flip. Doing so will make your head turn directly upside-down, along with your body which is rotating. Although this step is easier, it feels extremely awkward and takes some getting used to. Another method is to Practice Step II, and slowly train yourself to look backwards. If you're having great difficulty learning Valdez all by your lonesome, get a spotter to help you or practice on something soft.

When you fall mid-flip, the main reason is your supporting arm. Your supporting arm is the only thing that doesnt move throughout the entire movement. Make sure your supporting arm is locked, none of this goofy hand placement nonsense crap. It is the ONLY thing supporting you, up until your legs and swinging hand come down. If you don't have enough strength for support just do pushups and practice handstands.

Speed and momentum problems are also easy to solve. To speed up your rotation, bring your legs inwards towards your chest once you flip. Bringing in your legs helps you travel 360 degrees faster, as opposed to straight legs. Your swinging hand is also important, as it helps in the process of your body's rotation. Kick your legs, don't only depend on one thing to get over. You need to kick your legs, thrust your hips and swing your hand to get over.

~Linking Moves~

Although a simple move, a Valdez can be very useful in linking movements together. You can link them into Kips, Hollowbacks, Headspins, 1990's, Freezes, Solar Eclipses, etc. The list goes on. The Valdez can also be your stepping stone in order to learning Backhandsprings and Backflips.

gr8 guide yo..

[Breaker Chris]

Yo, xu chung, not to burst your bubble but this guide is wrong at some parts. I saw those pictures and they're wrong on the last part. First of all your legs don't have to be straight, and second of all THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS that when you jump back, yes you have to kick w/the legs but the second hand will NOT go directly behind your body. your upper body should face sideways, and you should think of it as doing a side cartwheel, but put your second hand further behind the first one and then kick your legs which is what will get your legs directly over your body. IF YOU GO BY THOSE PICTURES, THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WILL BE AFRAID TO JUST JUMP BACK BECAUSE THEY'LL BE AFRAID OF BREAKING THEIR ARM OR BACK. THIS IS A LOT EASIER AND PROPER WAY TO DO A VALDEZ THAN WHAT YOU SHOWED IN THE THIRD PART.
peace out,
keep spinnin',
BC

[Xu Chang]

I added changes to the guide about the direction your body should flip. Thanks alot for posting a reply about that, or else I wouldn't have noticed it.

However, I'm leaving the way hands should be thrown, placed and leg movement unchanged. This is the way I was taught in my Capoeira class. This was the easiest way for me and also how I was instructed by my Mestre to plant my hand.

Thanks alot for the response though Breaker. I appreciate it.

[Breaker Chris]

Yeah dude, no problem. I just wanted to give you a little feed back of how I always saw it but it looks like certain moves vary from one area to another, that's cool. That's what makes breakdancing even more unique,
keep spinnin',
BC

[ultraman__26]

i've seen in some videos they bboys juz valdez w/ one hand.how they do tt??pz

[da DMD]

lol its called putting it in backflip or floorwork guids, not in the main forum.... n00bs these days

[Tass]

thats an awsome guide!

[bboy pyro]

i can do a one handed valdez

[bboy pyro]

u should check this awesome guide to answer ALL ure questions:
Valdez Guide