Jun 1, 2003, 2:09 PM
Post #2 of 19
(997 views)
Shortcut
Re: [WayneRATS] 101 word essay on how to arch and keep it
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Congratulations on your first sit-fly! It only gets better now. A good way to regain stability is the delta postion, but you won't be doing that on 5s delays. To get a nice, stable exit, practice arching on the ground (muscle memory) and remember to look up at the plane as you leave it. Besides causing your body to arch, this also gives that amazing "wow, did I just jump out of an airplane?" feeling.
Jun 1, 2003, 3:43 PM
Post #6 of 19
(963 views)
Shortcut
Re: [CrazyIvan] 101 word essay on how to arch and keep it
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Quote:
Essay: How to arch By: CrazyIvan
R E L A X
Chapter 2: Why it works
Because if you let the wind blow your arms and legs up, then you're guaranteed to stay stable. Imagine the badminton birdie -- the feathers go last, right? So make sure arms & legs are featherlike.
Jun 1, 2003, 4:20 PM
Post #7 of 19
(951 views)
Shortcut
Re: [WayneRATS] 101 word essay on how to arch and keep it
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Like everyone else said, "RELAX". On top of that, stretch on the ground. Lay on your belly and reach back with one arm and pull your legs toward your back while stabilizing yourself and pushing your upper body up with your other arm. (Stretching by Skycat!)
More importantly, VISUALIZE. Like Wendy said, let the air put you in a natural arch. When you're falling at 120mph your body really does want to arch. Just try not to fight it.
Keep it up and don't get frustrated! You picked a good place to ask for advice!
Jun 1, 2003, 10:43 PM
Post #8 of 19
(908 views)
Shortcut
Re: [WayneRATS] 101 word essay on how to arch and keep it
[In reply to]
Can't Post
i had the same problem with ass flying on my first delays. My problems was my legs were all kicked back but my hand were way out above my head catching all the air, toppleing me over everytime.
So instead of forcing my legs back, i just relaxed them to catch a bit more drag, and lowered my hands to below ear level, to catch a little less. It really helped flaten me out coming off the hill.
Jun 1, 2003, 10:57 PM
Post #9 of 19
(902 views)
Shortcut
Re: [katiebear21] 101 word essay on how to arch and keep it
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
Lay on your belly and reach back with one arm and pull your legs toward your back while stabilizing yourself and pushing your upper body up with your other arm.
OUCH
[Mr Mackey voice] "This is why we freefly. Mmm-Kay"
Jun 2, 2003, 5:54 AM
Post #12 of 19
(853 views)
Shortcut
Re: [WayneRATS] 101 word essay on how to arch and keep it
[In reply to]
Can't Post
i don't know what you're jumping from, but we were told to watch the plane fly away... works good from a cessna. if you can't see it, you weren't on heading or you were looking down. so relax, and watch the plane!
Jun 2, 2003, 7:50 AM
Post #13 of 19
(837 views)
Shortcut
Re: [kingbunky] 101 word essay on how to arch and keep it
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
i don't know what you're jumping from, but we were told to watch the plane fly away... works good from a cessna. if you can't see it, you weren't on heading or you were looking down. so relax, and watch the plane!
I was always told to watch the plane as well. Its the best picture in the world when you finaly do! The only thing i can suggest is just don't think about it... feel the air and don't fight it.. think of being ontop of the air rather then falling through it..... so yeah basicly relax and have fun
<ps. - I just made myself wanna jump so bad!> lol!!
Jun 2, 2003, 9:05 AM
Post #14 of 19
(827 views)
Shortcut
Re: [WayneRATS] 101 word essay on how to arch and keep it
[In reply to]
Can't Post
I had almost the exact same problem. I was sit-flying instead of arching. Trying to stop the tumbling resulted in kicking, which resulted in more tumbling. The way I finally stopped it is, one jump, right off the strut, I felt my legs at my stomach. The usual thought process of what-the-hell-is-wrong-with-my-arch occurs, but then I just hear this voice inside my head: "What the #$%@ are you doing? ARCH!!!" Whammo, never a problem since.
I also had the problem that I didn't really believe that the arch works. I thought that yeah, it's all nice, but what if I'm tumbling? What if I'm this, or if I'm that? Tried to find some miracle solution or something. There is no miracle, no short cuts, no quick ways to recover. Arch when you jump, arch when you fall, arch when you pull. If you are tumbling, arch. If you're spinning, arch. If you're inverted, arch. If you're head low, arch. If you're head high, arch. You get my drift
Practice on the ground a lot, after all, ground is free. Keep yourself relaxed in the plane as best you can, do breathing exercises or something. But finally, and this is the most important part of my advice:
ARCH DAMMIT!!!
Have a great jump, and good luck!
DISCLAIMER:
a) The whole "if this, arch" diatribe is semi-metaphorical. For instance, inversion may not be completely fixed by an arch. When you pull, remember to bring the other hand up. If you're spinning, you can counter. But, except for the pull, all of these are "advanced" techniques that you will learn on your next jump I was just trying to emphasize that importance of trusting your arch.
b) I've only got 48 jumps. I've just applied for my first CoP. This is only the experience of another student, that's all.
(This post was edited by Push on Jun 2, 2003, 9:10 AM)
Jun 2, 2003, 9:15 AM
Post #15 of 19
(819 views)
Shortcut
Re: [WayneRATS] 101 word essay on how to arch and keep it
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
it has to be said
i'm not the floppiest of men
And you're a f**kin potty mouth too!
Seriously, did you head out on Sunday too? Man, this pisses me off. I can't even arch enough to get on DPs, and Mr. "personalised jumpsuit" here gets on 5 second delays so quick.
Bastard.
BTW, just use the "shagging a leper" method to get a good arch. Might see you Wednesday mate!
Jun 2, 2003, 11:47 AM
Post #17 of 19
(799 views)
Shortcut
Re: [WayneRATS] 101 word essay on how to arch and keep it
[In reply to]
Can't Post
When I finally figured out a good arch I realized (for me) not everything is relaxed. I keep my glutes tight to push the middle of me down and get a good "box" going with my arms and legs.
I think relax is good for AFF, but after that it's body flying that does it.
Jun 2, 2003, 12:19 PM
Post #18 of 19
(790 views)
Shortcut
Re: [WayneRATS] 101 word essay on how to arch and keep it
[In reply to]
Can't Post
I'm going to humbly make a suggestion that worked for me.
The last thing I though about when leaving the plane was always arch! Take a second when hanging from the strut, (assuming that's what you're doing) or just before exiting to take a breath, and then think ARCH. And instead of just thinking arch, try reminding yourself of what part of your body your arch should be coming from.
The arch comes from your hips. So think hips! Also, it helped me to think of squeezing my butt as much as possible - thus getting my hips out. It might help for you to think in concrete terms instead of just "arch" which could be a little vague for you.
And yes, you can practice on the ground. Get on a creeper, and arch for 30 seconds, rest for 30 seconds, repeat. It's best to do it out at the drop zone so someone can correct your position right there and then - and it doesn't cost a thing!
Once you get a few successful stable jumps under your belt you won't have to think about it so much. But until then - work on building that muscle memory.
Jun 2, 2003, 3:03 PM
Post #19 of 19
(767 views)
Shortcut
Re: [WayneRATS] 101 word essay on how to arch and keep it
[In reply to]
Can't Post
A good exercise is to put a broom handle behind your neck and drape your arms over it, I suppose you could tie some string to the middle ( in a sort of "Y" shape) and loop your feet through the ends. Main thing is pushing them hips down though, i found at first when i was doing the dead cat thing, was that i tried to resist, and that just don't work, you will however find that it will come more naturaly and you will "feel" that you are going unstable and correct it before it occurs. Just think "shuttle-cock". = 101 words.
lol!! 
