Stablility in Freefall question?

[100LL 0]

finished up my 4th jump today and after thinking about the jump and watching my video, i noticed that i tend to swing back and forth in freefall as well as do a lazy turn to the right. my JM suggested more positive pressure on the legs and relax the arms more.

anyone have similar issues.....what did you do?

[Programmer 0]

"Swing back and forth..." Do you mean "potato chipping" - oscillation about the pitch axis? Relax, especially your upper body. Or do you mean side to side - oscillation about the yaw axis? That's probably a leg thing that will get better with more practice.
Either way, do some more jumps and take your instructors' advice and the issue should go away quickly.

[100LL 0]

yeah its the "potato chipping"

i've been having a lot of fun so far, just trying to figure out what to do so that i dont have to repeat a level.....lol im a cheap bastard that way :)

i guess ill have to learn to relax more... still getting used to falling so maybe that will be easier on the next few.

[AndyMan 7]

There are 3 keys to freefall stability:


ARCH.
LEGS.
RELAX.

Say to it yourself as you dirt-dive, board the plane, exit, and fall.

ARCH, LEGS, RELAX.

ARCH: Arch your body by flexing your pelvis down. Elbows at 90 degrees, shoulders straight accross, head pulled up, and 20 degree bend in the knees. Do your best to imitate a badminton birdie by having your core mass be the lowest point, and having your light extremities be the highest point.0

LEGS: Gentle pressure on your legs to avoid backsliding. How much pressure? Practice at home by laying on the ground and putting your legs on the sofa. Add just enough leg pressure to pull your pelvis off the floor.

RELAX: Relax your mind, and relax your body. Relax your mind in the plane by visualizing, steady breathing, and keeping calm. Relax your body in freefall by feeling the wind on your hands and arms, allowing the wind to mold your arch position. Don't ever fight the wind. Keep your body movements small and simple. Relax and enjoy the sensation of freefall.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[Psychonaut 0]

Everyone is right, both here and your jumpmasters, so keep arching and relaxing, but the biggest thing is just keep jumping, keep going at it. Don't worry too much about the things you analyze while watching video of yourself. Don't stress out and vent online, just keep jumping and the wrinkles will work themselves out sooner than you think!

Stay high pull low

[wolfriverjoe 1,481]

THIS THREAD has a lot of good info on it. Post 19 is one of my all time favorite posts.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[Programmer 0]

I got to thinking about this and wanted to add something for the OP and everyone else who starts these type of threads. This has been said before, but at four jumps, you've got about 4 minutes of actual freefall time. Imagine how well you would be able to play the piano after 4 minutes of practice (or ski, or drive a car...). It's important to keep the scale of things in mind. Like the time I took Viagra and thought I had a medical problem until the nurse in the emergency room told me very kindly that I should seek help for an erection longer than 4 hours, not 4 inches....I was so proud, but that's another story.
At any rate, I think you know what I mean. I'm sure you will see a great improvement in your next 4 minutes of practice, and after 20 or 30 minutes who knows what you could achieve...
That's all; go back to what you were doing.

[half-a-greek 0]

Quote

my JM suggested more positive pressure on the legs and relax the arms more.

There's your answer. Listen to your instructors, there smart cookies

[100LL 0]

thanks for the advice guys. Im just the type of person who just can't sit still so i want to keep progressing.

looking at it in perspective though it makes sense. its a totally new feeling and its the first jump where i have been totally alone without the JM holding on and stabilizing.

looks like i have a few things to think about for next weekend!!

[tdog 0]

Smile more in freefall. That is rule #1. The relaxing and arching BS most instructors (including I) tell you to do will come in time and come with a huge smile. Perhaps even flip off your instructor in freefall to let him know you are having fun...

[Trinka 0]

Quote

Smile more in freefall. That is rule #1. The relaxing and arching BS most instructors (including I) tell you to do will come in time and come with a huge smile. Perhaps even flip off your instructor in freefall to let him know you are having fun...

Exactly. During my AFF I was jumping with weights. When I've finished it and started jumping solo without them, I had a similar problem. The only thing I've did is just tried to arch more. Anyway, I've stopped falling like a "ship on waves" after 3 or 4 more jumps. Don't mind it that much, it will go away as you get more experience. After awhile you'll see that you can fall stable even without arching.

[100LL 0]

looking forward to it. although ill take a bit of time with learning all the really fun stuff

after all i plan to at least make it to the "100 jump wonder" status

[erdnarob 1]

Swinging back and forth in free fall like you mention is a common minor problem for many beginners therefore nothing really wrong. In free fall try to think about letting your body feeling the air, not fighting against it. You may also raise your arms a bit. To monitor that, think about putting them at ears level, that should help. Increasing a bit your arch should help too.
For your turn now, that comes from a lack of symmetry. One leg higher than the other for instance. Again to monitor it one trick is to think about flexing your fingers and toes. This will tell you where your limbs are located in 3 D and then allow you to correct their position. Tell us if it works.

Learn from others mistakes, you will never live long enough to make them all.

[Mangiapane85 0]

Any updates? Have you corrected the issue at all?

-FEAR IS TEMPORARY...REGRET IS FOREVER!

-"People living deeply have no fear of death"- Anais Nin