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And away we go!
BACK: An abbreviated term for a backward somersault.
BALLOUT: Used to describe frontward somersaulting movements.
BARANI: A trampoline movement in which the body completes a front somersault with a half twist in such a way that the performer can see the bed throughout the entire movement. Rumored to be named for Joe Borani, a tumbler from the 1890s.
BARANI OUT: The common name of the Fliffis in which the performer does a front double somersault with a half twist, the twist occurring in the second half of the second somersault.
BED: The jumping surface of the trampoline.
BLIND: Where the performer does not see the trampoline until the moment of contact or later.
BREAK: A point in a routine where the performer falls, stops bouncing, or takes free bounces instead of stunts.
BUILD UP: A series of free bounces used to obtain height in preparation for a stunt.
CODY: A term describing back or front somersaulting movements from a front drop position take-off. Rumored to be named for Dale Coti, Alhambra, California.
CORKSCREW: A backdrop, full-twist, backdrop; taking off and landing in the same area of the trampoline bed.
COWBOY: A tuck position with the knees pulled outwards; shoulder width or wider. Usually used during somersaults.
CRADLE: A backdrop, half-twist, backdrop; with the second backdrop landing in the opposite direction of the first backdrop.
CRASH DIVE: A term describing a specific somersault movement in which the body takes off from the feet, completes a front-3/4-somersault, and lands in the backdrop position.
DISMOUNT: The opposite of mount. A means of getting off the trampoline or apparatus.
DOUBLE-BOUNCE: When the performer lands on the trampoline bed before it has fully released its tension from the initial bounce.
FLIFFIS: A term used to describe twisting double somersaults. According to legend, the trick was first used in trapeze-flying return acts.
FLIP: A short-term for a somersault.
FORM: The grace and precision with which the performer executes a stunt or routine.
FOOT THRUST: The action of the feet against the bed of the trampoline which gives the body the desired torque for rotation.
FULL: Refers to a full (360-degree) twisting somersault. May be in a backward, side-ward, or forward direction.
HUP: A common expression in the circus letting the performer and/or spotters know they are ready to go. In diving and trampoline, it's used to call out a skill or, when to kick out.
KABOOM: A slang term describing a specific somersault movement that starts from an almost flat back position and turns backward. The movement is initiated when the torso hits the trampoline bed before the legs; creating a ricochet action.
KILL: Flexing the knees and hips on contact to take up the spring of the trampoline, thereby keeping the body in contact with the bed.
KIP: An action where one performer builds up the height of the other by depressing the bed so that it will be lower when the other performer makes contact with it. Thus, the other performer receives an added amount of lift.
LAYOUT: A position in which the body is held straight, or slightly arched.
LOST: To become momentarily unaware of one's position in the air during a stunt.
MILLER: A triple twisting, double backward somersault. Named after Wayne Miller, a champion trampolinist from Louisiana. Read more about the Miller here.
MOUNT: Method by which the performers get on their trampoline or apparatus.
OPEN: To come out of a tuck or other closed position into a straight or less closed position.
PIKE: A position of the body in which the body is bent at the hips only. (Jackknife position)
PORPOISE: Back drop, front somersault, back drop.
PULL OVER: A 3/4 somersault originating from a take-off position, halfway between the seat and back, which carries the performer backward around to his feet.
RANDOLPH (RANDY): A two-and-1/2 twisting front somersault from feet to feet.
REBOUND TUMBLING: Used interchangeably with the term Trampolining to denote the sport of bouncing on a trampoline.
ROLLER STANDS: Refers to a pair of inverted "T" shaped stands with swivel casters on which the trampoline is folded, moved, and stored.
ROUTINE: A series of stunts usually done in swingtime.
RUDOLPH (RUDY): A one-and-1/2-twisting front somersault from feet to feet.
SAVE: Used to describe an action in which a performer makes presentable an otherwise ruined stunt or routine.
SIDE: A slang term meaning a side somersault.
SOMMY: A slang term for somersault.
SPOTTING: In practice sessions, this term applies to a person protecting and assisting the performer in the proper execution of a stunt. In competition, spotters stand ready to protect the performer in case of loss of control.
SWINGTIME: A term used to describe the action of doing one stunt right after another without a free bounce between.
SWIVEL-HIPS: A seat drop, half-twist, seat drop; landing in the opposite direction of the first seat drop.
THROW: A slang term used freely in trampolining and diving to indicate the movement of a specific part of the body in the direction intended - - for example: to throw the arm across the chest as in a twist.
TRAMP: A slang term for a trampoline.
TRAMPOLINING: A term referring to the sport of bouncing on a trampoline.
TRAVEL: A term used to designate movement of the whole body from one area of the bed to another.
TUCK: A position of the body in which the knees and hips are slightly bent.
TURN TABLE: A term describing a specific somersaulting movement in which the body takes off from a front drop position and tucking, twists either to the right or left and lands again in the front drop position.
TURN OVER: Slang term for the somersault.
TWISTER: Term describing twisting somersaults.
WRAP: A term describing the action of drawing the arms and elbows in close to the body in order to spin faster.
KABOOM: A slang term describing a specific somersault movement that starts from an almost flat back position and turns backward. The movement is initiated when the torso hits the trampoline bed before the legs; creating a ricochet action.
KILL: Flexing the knees and hips on contact to take up the spring of the trampoline, thereby keeping the body in contact with the bed.
KIP: An action where one performer builds up the height of the other by depressing the bed so that it will be lower when the other performer makes contact with it. Thus, the other performer receives an added amount of lift.
LAYOUT: A position in which the body is held straight, or slightly arched.
LOST: To become momentarily unaware of one's position in the air during a stunt.
MILLER: A triple twisting, double backward somersault. Named after Wayne Miller, a champion trampolinist from Louisiana. Read more about the Miller here.
MOUNT: Method by which the performers get on their trampoline or apparatus.
OPEN: To come out of a tuck or other closed position into a straight or less closed position.
PIKE: A position of the body in which the body is bent at the hips only. (Jackknife position)
PORPOISE: Back drop, front somersault, back drop.
PULL OVER: A 3/4 somersault originating from a take-off position, halfway between the seat and back, which carries the performer backward around to his feet.
RANDOLPH (RANDY): A two-and-1/2 twisting front somersault from feet to feet.
REBOUND TUMBLING: Used interchangeably with the term Trampolining to denote the sport of bouncing on a trampoline.
ROLLER STANDS: Refers to a pair of inverted "T" shaped stands with swivel casters on which the trampoline is folded, moved, and stored.
ROUTINE: A series of stunts usually done in swingtime.
RUDOLPH (RUDY): A one-and-1/2-twisting front somersault from feet to feet.
SAVE: Used to describe an action in which a performer makes presentable an otherwise ruined stunt or routine.
SIDE: A slang term meaning a side somersault.
SOMMY: A slang term for somersault.
SPOTTING: In practice sessions, this term applies to a person protecting and assisting the performer in the proper execution of a stunt. In competition, spotters stand ready to protect the performer in case of loss of control.
SWINGTIME: A term used to describe the action of doing one stunt right after another without a free bounce between.
SWIVEL-HIPS: A seat drop, half-twist, seat drop; landing in the opposite direction of the first seat drop.
THROW: A slang term used freely in trampolining and diving to indicate the movement of a specific part of the body in the direction intended - - for example: to throw the arm across the chest as in a twist.
TRAMP: A slang term for a trampoline.
TRAMPOLINING: A term referring to the sport of bouncing on a trampoline.
TRAVEL: A term used to designate movement of the whole body from one area of the bed to another.
TUCK: A position of the body in which the knees and hips are slightly bent.
TURN TABLE: A term describing a specific somersaulting movement in which the body takes off from a front drop position and tucking, twists either to the right or left and lands again in the front drop position.
TURN OVER: Slang term for the somersault.
TWISTER: Term describing twisting somersaults.
WRAP: A term describing the action of drawing the arms and elbows in close to the body in order to spin faster.
Have we missed anything?
Share your favorite old trampoline slang terms
in the comment section below
and we'll add them to the list!
Thanks!
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ABOUT THE PHOTO: In 1960, Jackie Gleason's TV show, "Sunday Sport's Spectacular
with Putter and Cue," featured a synchronized trampoline production number
with female bouncers on 12 trampolines. It was so popular that a similar
show was staged for Bob Hope's "Buick Sports Award Show" on NBC TV, on February 15, 1961. Pictured: Jackie Gleason and Paula Boelsems
