{"id":17789,"date":"2017-09-12T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-09-12T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=17789"},"modified":"2020-02-11T12:26:00","modified_gmt":"2020-02-11T12:26:00","slug":"2017-09-13-dansmagic-tricks-of-the-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/2017-09-13-dansmagic-tricks-of-the-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"Dan’sMagic 10: Tricks of the Trade"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The tenth chapter in Dan BC\u2019s 4-way manual\u2026<\/strong> Speed, Efficiency, Awareness, Communication, Synchronicity<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Perris-Fury-by-Willy-Boeykens-FI\"
Perris Fury by Willy Boeykens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The best formation skydiving teams balance several qualities. They fly fast but smooth. They are calm yet aggressive. They do the smallest, most efficient move as quickly as possible. And they do all this while staying perfectly in synch with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their jumps are totally under control and nothing happens by surprise. The team appears to move not as individuals but as four parts of one machine. This requires a combination of highly developed INDIVIDUAL FLYING SKILLS as well as TEAM FREEFALL COMMUNICATION SKILLS. Advanced individual skills enable each flyer to perform fast, precise solo movements. Advanced team communication skills synchronize the individual teammate\u2019s movements. They are the glue that holds the individuals together and what enables the team as a whole, to fly at the full potential of the individual\u2019s speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Team communication skills are the glue that holds the individuals together”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

INDIVIDUAL FLYING SKILLS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The physical skills are generally the more simple (not to be confused with easy) part of competitive athletic training. The specific skills needed for success are obvious as are the proven methods and drills for which to train them. Excelling at these skills requires a deep commitment and hours of hard work and repetition. But almost anyone can do it if they believe they can and if they are willing to put in the hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almost anyone can do it if they believe they can and if they are willing to put in the hard work”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FLYING SKILLS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The individual flying skills of formation skydiving include the ability to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Move horizontally forward, backward and sideways.<\/li>
  • Turn in place by rotating around your center or other pivot points.<\/li>
  • Control your fall rate to maintain or adjust levels as needed.<\/li>
  • Execute moves where you combine horizontal, rotational and possibly vertical movements at the same time.<\/li>
  • Finish your move by coming to a complete, sharp stop and parking in position.<\/li>
  • Be solid in your position without allowing yourself to be moved.<\/li>
  • Maintain that position whether facing towards, away or sideways to the center of the formation.<\/li>
  • Maintain position while quickly picking up solid grips.<\/li>
  • Maintain position while releasing the grips with big hand movements used to show the judges that the entire team if off of the grips \u201cflashing\u201d.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    There is no question that the best way to learn, and continue to sharpen your personal flying skills is in a wind tunnel. Training in a tunnel provides the extended freefall time we need to explore and discover the exact body position and body mechanics that are most effective for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There is no question that the best way to learn, and continue to sharpen your personal flying skills is in a wind tunnel”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Ultimately we want these movements to become muscle memory. Flying in a tunnel gives us the chance to do extensive repetitions and in doing so build that muscle memory in the shortest amount of time possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Soon after assembling your team you should arrange a tunnel camp with a qualified coach. Holding a two or three day tunnel camp early in your team\u2019s training could save you two or three weeks down the road. It will allow you to learn the basics of correct body mechanics and begin to develop muscle memory that you will be able to build from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Good
    Good FS neutral body position<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    BASIC NEUTRAL BODY POSITION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The first step to developing your individual flying skills is learning to fly in a comfortable neutral body position. By neutral I mean the body position you are in when you are sitting still. The position you return to after stopping a move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There is no single basic neutral body position that is perfect for everyone. Varying heights, weights, builds and degrees of flexibility will all have an effect on what the exact body position is that works best for each individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Good Body Position Desirables<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are however certain characteristics that are common parts of all correct neutral body positions. They are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Your pelvis\/lower abdomen area is the lowest point on the wind. It serves as your center of gravity providing a natural pivot point for in-place turns.<\/li>
    • Your head and eyes are the highest point. This allows for maximum visibility and awareness of the entire team.<\/li>
    • An unforced pelvis low, head high position is the definition of a comfortable arch. From this configuration you should be in the middle of your fall rate range. Quick level changes and recovery are easy and can be done with minimal body movements.<\/li>
    • Your legs are comfortably spread at roughly between a 45 and 90 degree angle. This provides a strong, stable stance on the air and a larger flying surface.<\/li>
    • The angle between your arms and torso is 90 degrees or slightly more. This keeps your hands forward and in a position that requires minimal movement when picking up and dropping grips.<\/li>
    • Your arms are lower than your eyes and head. This prevents them from blocking your line of sight and keeps your hands level with your teammates’ grips.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      A reasonably flexible person, flying alone and relaxing on the air will naturally assume a neutral position similar to what is described here. (Individuals with extreme or limited flexibility will have to work a little harder.) In this position you feel solid and are very balanced on the air. You are in the middle of your range of motion and have access to the full capabilities of all your flying surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n


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