With Trampoline now in the Olympics, backyard trampolines could be an accident waiting to happen. Too often, people see things on TV, or at a show or circus and go home to try them. Parents and kids need to know that what they’ve seen has been trained hard and long with very special equipment to avoid injury. There are many progressions to learning skills or “tricks” that involves flying through the air. Experts make these “tricks” look very easy when in fact they can be extremely dangerous while on a backyard trampoline.
A big difference between trampolines, “round” vs. “rectangular” is consistency in bounce. The rectangular trampoline is superior in all ways. They do cost more! However, they are also made better to withstand more stress. You’ll never find any gymnastics school with the big round tramps. Round trampolines always pull you to the middle with every bounce being different. Two people bouncing at the same time will eventually collide in the middle. Rounds are good for just bouncing and the most basic trampoline skills.
Your best investment against injuries occurring in the backyard is to sign up at a trampoline gymnastics school, where you are taught the most basic skills first and methodically move up to more advanced skills. Who would know what are basic skills from more advanced skills are unless you’ve been taught? There is an exact and specific next step to learning trampoline the right way. There are about 55 of these skills that are very important to learning “air awareness” that does not involve any flips. These skills progressions are fun and safe. But having an instructor emphasizing control and deciding “readiness” or when it is time to learn the next step is the only safe way to learn. Gyms have extreme padding around their trampolines. Mats slide in or “slider mats” are used to cushion the drops, making learning smooth and safe. Overhead spotting rigs and bungees are also used on flipping skills. Backyards are not set up for learning skills that involve whole flips.
Unfortunately, the public hears how many injuries trampolines cause and how doctors say no one should ever do anything so dangerous as “trampoline”. Everyone has a scary trampoline story. Backyard trampolines have created a bad name for trampolines in general. They are not the same as trampolines at gymnastics schools. These schools use trampolines safely to teach flipping skills to gymnasts, dancers, cheerleaders, ice skaters, skiers, as well as snow, skate and wake borders. They have been proven to teach skills better and faster without the risk of injury that backyard trampolines have experienced. Backyard trampolines are great for young children’s sensory integration and overall strength and endurance. Kids who use their trampolines a lot are generally more fit and active than children without a trampoline. But all need to understand the necessity of correct skills progressions, safety rules and experienced supervision. Sign up for at least a couple structured trampoline lessons at a trampoline gymnastics school near you.
For more information on trampoline safety, please see: www.artsportsworld.com

Mike Zapp has coached gymnastics over 30 years. Over the past 7 years, ArtSports has accumulated 26 national trampoline and power tumbling champions. This July, in Tampa, Florida, his team added five new national champions and scored in the top ten, 27 times.

Outdoor Trampoline Safety
1. Only one person on a tramp at a time. A person, jumping on the tramp while another person is already on, may rebound that person through the air, causing injury.
2. Learn to "Stop or Freeze" bounce before getting off a trampoline. Getting off tramps correctly shows you respect your body and you are serious to learn and better yourself.
3. You are bouncing too high if you cannot stay in the middle of the tramp. You need to bounce lower or stop altogether if you can not control your bounce.
4. Adults should never be on a trampoline with a child. Even walking on a tramp while a little one is on it, may and has caused injury. If adults are bouncing when children are around, another adult should watch for any child that might step onto the tramp.
5. Climb down from equipment, do not bounce, jump or fly off equipment onto the floor.
6. Learn how to FLIP from a trampoline instructor, where matting and spotting rigs are set up to catch you incase of a mistake.
7. Recklessness and horseplay is not allowed. Respect your body; do not attempt a flipping skill without help from an instructor.
8. Enforce these precautions through supervision, like a lifeguard at a swimming pool.
Increase your trampoline safety by sinking the trampoline flush or at least lower into the ground.
Level the tramp and add a net and pads covering springs and frame will greatly increase safety.
Routines add Structure and Increase Safety
Twist (360 turn), Tuck, Straddle, Pike Jumps, Seat, Doggy, Front Drop, Air Straddle to Seat Drop, Doggy, Front Roll.
Rules: Routine should be done without extra bounces, under great control, staying in the middle. Skills are only preformed in same order, i.e. do not start with front drop, this may cause back injury.
Add Skills: Swivel hips, Low back drops, Back roll, Pull over. Try adding ½ and full twists to skills.
How to get injured on trampoline….
Without Supervision, bounce and flip recklessly, with one or more friends or pets, with someone much larger or smaller than you, in the dark, in the rain or blindfolded. Exhaustion, drugs or alcohol will greatly increase your chances of injury.

Please feel free to print and copy. Any liability is rejected. For more information on safety, see: www.artsportsworld.com * 719-531-5867*