So many people nowadays seem to need to know exactly where they're going. They buy expensive electronic gadgets with built-in GPS (Global Positioning Systems) to help them figure out where they are. But when it comes to knowing where you are while flipping and twisting in the air, we tend to close our eyes and hope for the best. This is crazy. Global Positioning Systems can't even come close to helping. They can't tell you when you're going to hit the ground or what you really need to do to land safely. They can't keep you from getting hurt. You only have one body to live in for the rest of your life. Keeping your mind and body healthy seems to be the smart move. So why do so
many people just "go for it" or "let it rip", risking injury or even death?
Whenever someone says, "You need to have guts" (or some other body part that represents courage), you should take a long, deep breath and decide if you've prepared properly for what you are about to attempt. It's your only body that's at risk here. You'll never get another one in this lifetime. It may seem like fun now, but the consequences of a bad decision can last a lifetime. Often, a bad landing or hard fall not only causes bodily injury, but it can cause a lack of confidence that can lead to more severe mental
difficulties. All this can be avoided by simply taking the time to prepare properly. Breaking down the skill into simpler parts and developing drills that exercise each part will help your muscles memorize and rehearse to the point of automatic motion. In other words, when you can do the correct movements without thinking about them, you're ready. The use of a foam pit or overhead spotting rig is always helpful for the first few attempts at any trick to avoid most negative consequences. There are also a number of "air aware" drills that can greatly increase your air skills. These drills rely on repeated,
step-by-step training to help you develop your air awareness. Air aware drills allow one to go from point A to point B in a shorter amount of time. Gravity always limits your time in the air, so efficiency of motion is critical. You need to know exactly where A and B are and what movement must be accomplished in between. Training on A to B repeatedly will develop a kind of hyper speed to your movements, allowing you to finish a skill early enough to "see" your landing. An interesting and positive result of this training is the fact that time seems to slow down to the point that what at first seemed "too difficult and no time" now seems "easy with time to spare." There are no devices or short cuts that can help you develop air awareness quicker than these drills. Not only that, but the drills are really fun and can seem like play.
Save time and yourself, master the drills first!

Mike Zapp