Backflip

Disclaimer: This article is about a move that can be dangerous if performed incorrectly. Perform this movement with caution.
A Back Flip is a backwards rotating trick where the tricker jumps, rotates 360 degrees backwards, and lands on their feet. Backflips are one of the most basic and fundamental movements in Tricking, or in any acrobatic discipline. While "Back Flip" actually refers to a whole category of backwards flipping tricks, the word is most commonly used in reference to the Back Tuck.
===History===
Given the fundamental and intuitive nature of this trick, it can be safe to assume that Back Flips have been around in some form or another for another since the beginning of the human race. It has even been observed among other species of primates as well. The first recorded back flip, or at least what is thought to be a form of backflip, is found in Ancient Minoan artwork, often referred to as the Toreador or Bull-Leaping Fresco, which is estimated to have been made around 1400 BCEDr. Senta German, "Bull-leaping fresco from the palace of Knossos," in Smarthistory, August 15, 2018, accessed July 14, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/bull-leaping-fresco/. . 
The Back Flip was prominently used in many cultures across the world, including Ancient Greek gymnos (gymnastics), Han Dynasty Chinese JuedixiMcCurley, Dallas. “‘Juedixi’: An Entertainment of War in Early China.” Asian Theatre Journal, vol. 22, no. 1, 2005, pp. 87–106. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4137077. Accessed 14 July 2024. and Ancient African Dance arts, which would be the ancestor of Engolo and Capoeira. The modernization of the Back Flip started in the Enlightenment era, when Gymnastics as a sport started to evolve in Germany and across EuropeSolly, M. (2021, July 26). A History of Gymnastics, From Ancient Greece to Tokyo 2020. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/history-gymnastics-ancient-greece-tokyo-2020-180978270/.. After the introduction of Gymnastics into the Olympics in 1896, complicated Back Flip variations started to emerge. 
The next evolutions of the Back Flip came not from Gymnastics, but from various emerging underground sports of the 80s and 90s. Major innovations came from Parkour and Freerunning, with variations such as the Kong Gainer. It was in this period that Martial Arts Tricking emerged as a sport, and brought with it variations such as the Flash Kick and Cheat Gainer. Today, there are myriad variations of Back Flips, all thanks to the innovations of those early pioneers of the sport. 
===Variations===
This section includes some of the most common Back Flip variations in Tricking, some more integral to the sport than others. Does not include Tricking Gainer variations. 
* Back Tuck. The most common variation, though not widely used in combos. Executed with a tuck jump, grabbing either in front or behind the knees. 
* Back Pike. Similar to a back tuck, but with straight legs. 
* Back Layout. A floatier back flip, with straight legs and arched back. Typically not done from standing. 
* Back Half. A back flip with a 180 degree twist. 
* Back Full. A back flip with a 360 degree twist.
* Gainer Tuck (Freerunning Gainer). A back flip with forwards moving momentum, landing in a position in front of the takeoff.
* Flash Kick. A back flip with a kick executed at the apex of the jump. Can also be done with two, three, or more kicks.
* Double Back Flip. Any standard back flip variation, but rotating over backwards twice in the air instead of once.
* Triple Back Flip. Like double, but with three rotations. 
* Double Full. A back full, with a 720 degree twist.
* Triple Full. A back full, with a 1080 degree twist. 
===Technique===
Some Back Flip Tutorials from reputable Tricking coaches.
=== References ===
Category:The Tricks
Category:Flipping Tricks