Trampolines & Safety

Series Summary

The modern trampoline was invented in 1934 by competitive gymnasts at the University of Iowa. The word "trampoline" comes from the Spanish word for "diving board," which one of the inventors remembered from a diving expo he had attended in Mexico. Trampolines consist of a taut fabric connected to a metal frame by coil springs. These springs are pulled and extended when a jumper lands on the trampoline bed and then retract with a propulsive force, pushing the trampoline user up into the air. Trampolines are used to train astronauts and professional gymnasts, but also make great recreational devices at home, giving jumpers the added height to perform flips and tricks safely in their own backyard. The most common injuries from trampoline involve landing on the head or neck while jumping, not by falling off the trampoline. In this free video series on intermediate trampoline tricks, gymnast and circus performer Paul Anderson teaches flips and twists for trampoline routines. Anderson introduces front and back flips and how to learn them; he shares tricks for adding a half-twist to front flips, which keeps the ground in view at all times, orienting the performer. Anderson also teaches trampoline gymnasts how to learn back flips by starting with drops and twists. This series will walk the intermediate bouncer through a range of mid-air positions as well, including tucks, pikes and pucks. Anderson concludes with an intermediate trampoline routine and suggestions for combining tricks together.

Video Transcript

"Before we get in to intermediate trampoline, let's talk about some very important safety issues. First of all, although it looks like I'm bouncing here alone in my back yard, there's a camera man shooting this if I have any problems. He has a phone and call for help. It's very important if you're working, especially if you're working in your back yard alone, that you have someone else with you at all times, certainly someone with in voice range, in ear shot, so you can scream out if you need any trouble. Of course, I did learn a lot of things in my back yard, but I studied in a gymnastics gym for many, many years, and I would highly recommend learning the following tricks in a gymnastics gym. These tricks I'm going to make look quite simple, but there's a certain risk to all of them. All of trampolines have a little disclaimer on the side that's say warning, height and motion can be very dangerous, and it is very true. One wrong move can lead to serious injury. Pretty much in general, as long as you stay on your trampoline, you'll be OK, but you hit this metal bar and it will leave a permanent mark."