Reverse aerial tutorial

Entry data:

Alternate names: Aeriola
Class: Aerial
Description: 1) An aerial executed from a swift, back stepping takeoff. 2) An aerial executed out of the common butterfly twist step back that precedes the dip.

Variations:

Prerequisites: Aerial. Also, an Axe2aerial is helpful.
Equivalent variations: Various grabs
Advanced variations: Reverse aerial switch/twist/brandy, and a reverse suicide swipe.

Assisted learning:

• Move preview: A single short clip or multiple short clips for observing the skill.
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• The Reverse aerial exampler: A video overview of the move with a narrated walk-through.
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An aerial, that's backwards!

Today I will be discussing a wonderful technique. It is an aerial with a backwards takeoff (swing through): Reverse aerial, many call it the Aeriola - whatever floats your boat. I strongly suggest you have an axe2aerial before expecting success with this move. If you can do an axe2aerial this move will come easy to you, if not then things could get a little rough. Why do I make this suggestion? Because both involve the same basic mechanics and moving backwards is a little more to bite than simply doing an aerial off one leg with a swing through kick. Is this move hard? No, it's stupid easy: If you can already do an axe2aerial that is.

• Get prepared for the move. One thing that I dislike about this move, is practicing it in crowded places. It is one thing to choose a path of takeoff that's set in front of you, it's another when you are going blindly backwards. If you are in a gym with people who have no idea what you're setting up for, it could get dangerous. I've almost killed a couple people on occasion when tossing this move without checking over my shoulder first. Keep this in mind, or you'll get your ass burned.
• Now, before you go dance yourself to death trying to figure out the footwork I'll cut the work for you. If you aerial going down on your LEFT side then stand with your left foot in front. If you aerial going down on your RIGHT side then stand with your right foot in front. Additional steps are unnecessary. I've seen people do three and even four steps to setup for this trick and it doesn't help - it's just nervous looking. What will happen if you aerial on your LEFT side is the left foot (The trailing leg in the technique) will pull back and the right foot (The initial leg) will leave some slack, trail a bit: Then when the left foot touches the ground a swing through with the right will pull you into the aerial. So to sum this foreshadowing up: ONE STEP BACK - SWING INTO AERIAL
• Keep your back up as you step back. Get your arms and shoulders up.
• Notice the step, the first leg goes backwards and the one that is going to swing through leaves some distance between the first foot. Hope you're not confused, if you are confused reread what I wrote you dumb ass. The purpose of this is simple: The more distance your swing through leg trails between the other the more distance it has to gain momentum and swing you through for a successful landing. Too much is unnecessary, but some is needed. As you step back, dig down a bit and keep your shoulders up high. Like the normal aerial, you need to dig to get a good pushoff, but even more so here.
• Reach out forward! You will not die if you reach forward. You'll probably be dipping straight down and catching underneath your legs if you avoid reaching forward - this is not easily handled. Get your body reaching forward. I think I've said enough.
• With the momentum we gained by distancing the feet on the backwards takeoff you will be able to swing the first leg through with a good deal of force. Next - the leg on the ground in this picture has to push off. Think of it like pushing off a block in a track meet. Even if you've never done that before, you can imagine. Push yourself back forward. This does a lot of good! Shoulders? Back track a couple slides and you'll understand why we want them to rise. Spread your wings!
• The setup is the main concern for us experienced axe2aerial veterans eh? The rest is cake. The arms and shoulders motions are the same as an axe2aerial. PUSH WITH THAT BASE FOOT! Bring that swing through leg directly behind.
• Don't look - Don't stray - Don't talk it over - No time - No way - Listen to me I'm cold sober - You're just out there taunting cobras!
• History lesson: Take a look at how the upper body turned over. This is important in the aerial, no matter how subtle or obvious, the upper body must turn over to set the path for the legs to fly through. Back track a few slides and examine the upper body only / you'll see what I mean.
• There it is captain - land! LAND HO!
• Nicely done Juji you sack of shit.
• While we're here, I might as well sum up the technique quickly: Gentle back step - distance legs in takeoff - keep upper body up high and reach forward when you swing the first leg through (Swing through fast and hard - swing the leg straight back behind you)- push off very hard with the base foot - follow through - land.

Keep in mind:

• Distance your legs on the initial back step - this helps the swing through leg have more distance to travel for momentum.
• Keep shoulders up during the move, to make the turnover of the upper body during the skill very snappy
• Try to keep your body up as long as possible until it's force to tilt under. If you prematurely dip, it'll be easier to lose control. Keep that body up as long as possible.
• Reach out forward. Even though we step backward at takeoff, we want to turn this back into a forward technique. We do not travel backward as we aerial, we travel backward THEN aerial back forward.
• Base foot pushes forward, like jumping out of the blocks in a track sprint. PUSH FORWARD - REACH FORWARD. Counter that backward force.
• Hey baby, welcome to my crystal palace.

Specific Problem Advice:

• If you cannot do this move, learn an axe2aerial first.
• If you cannot do an axe2aerial, learn that first.
• If you can do an axe2aerial and cannot do this move, then refer to the previously given advice or work on your axe2aerial. It's really not a difficult move if you have an axe2aerial and take my advice.
• Have I mentioned how easy this move is after learning an axe2aerial?

My experiences:

I first landed this move May 2002. I didn't get it consistent however for another few months. My main problem was controlling the backward momentum. It was just too much for me to handle. I couldn't quite get my leg anywhere around and I just kept slamming into the ground. Yet, just as for this move as the axe2aerial I received some very good advice. Logan pulled through for me and told me to do the same thing on this move as an axe2aerial. Sure enough it worked like a charm. What was the advice? Push forward, reach forward, travel forward, and keep your body high. I really don't think you'll have a problem with this if you heed the advice I've given throughout this tutorial and have a solid axe2aerial. Have fun, this move is killer cool.