I’m excited to start including posts on drop analysis in the blog. For those who have taken my workshops or trained with me, you know that I nerd out pretty hard when it comes to this stuff. My motivation for this super in-depth study comes from a couple directions: 1). I think science is crazy neat and I like knowing how things work and 2). If I can identify exactly why and how a drop or maneuver works I can reproduce it identically every time and I can tweak it in very specific places to create new visual effects, vary speed, reduce pain, and create an infinite number of variations. In order to make discussion flow a bit easier, here is a glossary of terms I’ll use in my analyses. I’ll update this list as we go.
Vertical Rotation: Revolution of the body around an axis that runs horizontally through the belly from left side to right side. This is a head-over-feet rotation like a somersault.
Side Vertical Rotation: Revolution of the body around an axis that runs horizontally through the belly from navel to spine. This is a head-over-feet rotation like a cartwheel.
Horizontal Rotation: Revolution of the body around an axis that runs vertically along the spine. This is a roll.
Complete/Full/Single Rotation: Revolution of the body such that one body part traces a complete circle and stops in the same position in which it started. Most drops will be described as a “single horizontal rotation” or a “double vertical rotation followed by a single horizontal rotation”. This description should allow most advanced students follow along without relying on region-specific trick names.
90/180/270 Degree Twist: The change of facing of the body that re-orients the spine to a new starting position. The number of degrees given identifies the magnitude of the twist.
Calculated Force: The impact force of a drop or skill as determined by calculation. The formula used is Fi = W(1+(Df/Ds)) where W = weight of performer(s), Df = falling distance, and Ds = stopping distance (amount of stretch in the system).
Observed Force: The impact force of a drop of skill as measured by a force meter. The meter is attached between the apparatus and the rigging.
Perceived Force: The force as felt by the performer. This force is a function of the amount of surface area on the performer’s body that absorbs the total impact force of the drop or skill. The formula used is Fp = Fi/SA where Fi = impact force (either calculated or observed) and SA = surface area.
3 Responses
[…] really great way to study body position through a vertical rotation (for term definitions, see the Glossary). This drop can be a complete rotation, or it can be stopped through the power of physics after 270 […]
[…] hates single stars. They’re usually the first horizontal rotation (see the Glossary for term definitions) we learn and they suck because they cinch to high heaven around the thigh. I […]
Kick the tires and light the fires, problem ofallifciy solved!