Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Wallflip

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A wallflip is a stunt involving a backflip from a wall. This is commonly used in urban acrobatics displays. A wallflip involves running up to a wall (or other vertical or near-vertical surface) and placing your foot on this surface. You must then push off with enough force to complete a three-quarter rotation and land back on your feet.

Contents

Variations

Two-Step Wallflip

This is identical to the wallflip. However to perform it one will take an extra step up the wall for a total of two steps. This trick can be done with either foot being used first; however for beginners, the first step will consist of the less dominant foot so when the second step is taken the user will have more force to push off and complete the flip.

Three-Step Wallflip

Also identical to the wallflip, however consisting of three steps taken up the wall instead of one. Once again this can be performed using any combination of foot placement; however for beginners the more dominant leg will take the first step, followed by the less dominant. This will then allow the dominant leg to take the third and final step, ensuring the completion of the flip.

Four-Step Wallflip

Just as the name implies, this is a wallflip with four steps. This trick is very uncommon and difficult. It is rarely done outside of the gym although a Four-Step Wallflip on a "real" urban wall is not unheard of. However, less than a dozen tricksters have ever landed it outside of the gym.

Wallflip Twist

This stunt starts out similar to the wallflip in the effect that the performer runs up to a vertical surface and places their foot on this surface. It differs, however, because after one places their foot on the vertical surface they must twist their upper body to do a half rotation while also pushing off to do the flip. This will result in the user landing facing away from the wall instead of towards the wall.

Wall to wall flip

The wall to wall flip uses more than one surface when being performed. This trick will start by running up to one surface then placing either foot on this surface. The user will then jump or run to the second surface (commonly used on a 90 degree angle corner in which case the first surface is one wall and the second surface is the intersecting wall) and push with their opposite foot to complete the rotation. This trick can be done with any combination of steps or directions.

Wallflip Full Twist

This stunt starts out like a wallflip by the performer running to a wall and placing their foot on the wall. Then it changes and requires the performer to push up and still do a back somersault but also do a 360 degree rotation during the backwards rotation. Once both rotations are complete, the performer lands facing the wall again.

Troubleshooting

The wallflip is an easier and simple trick because it consists of only a three quarter rotation instead of a full rotation. The extra quarter is subtracted because the trick starts from the vertical surface used. To perform this trick correctly one must push both away from the wall and upwards from the wall. The force pushing away from the wall is so that the user does not come into contact with the surface during the trick, such as hitting their head on the surface while they are rotating. The upwards force gives the trick height and will also force rotation to ensure a proper landing.

To overcome the fear of not making the full rotation, a spotter or two spotters may be used. They should stand to the side of the user, and when the user is horizontal with their back facing the floor, the spotters may give them extra rotation and height by pushing their back upwards (this is similar to the way in which spotters can be used when learning a backtuck).

References

Wallflip Wikipedia