Big way key skills
Headed to a big way camp or event? Nervous about your performance? Even if this is a beginner’s camp, you […]
Headed to a big way camp or event? Nervous about your performance? Even if this is a beginner’s camp, you […]
Every team has a moment a few camps out from Nationals when it hits them hard – there isn’t much […]
You’ve seen some 4-way teams that have the outside center give the count, while others have the inside center give […]
Teams break up mid-season when they discover each of the members had different visions for the year. After you have […]
Want to start on the big way journey but not sure where to begin? This guide will walk you through […]
You are a ninja when it comes to understanding the four core exit principles – but how can you practice […]
There are two common strategies when it comes to creeping. Do you practice each angle three times? Or just flow […]
Your coach tells you to calm down all the time. You hear it repeated like a mantra in a big-way […]
When a formation is complete, a signal is needed to indicate it is time for the team to break and […]
A UK reality show inspires this article (NOT Love Island). The show took a total newbie in a particular field […]
Lies. There is no such thing as effortless learning. If only I could download what I know into your head […]
These six tips will help you absorb more while you prepare a formation dive. It will also keep you from […]
A player-coach is a member of the team who simultaneously holds both playing duties and coaching duties. In skydiving, this […]
I describe skydiving skills as falling into one of two buckets – moving around and making the right decisions. Here […]
Everything you learn about the sport can help you become a better FS competitor, but here are five big non-FS […]
Ever watch a team creep and wonder how they know where to move for the billions of different combinations? Read […]
Closing a block means landing on or catching the grips after the inter is performed. In the context of individual […]
Just launch a bow! The most common advice for intermediate teams. Was this strategy confirmed at the 2019 USPA Nationals? […]
Slots are Positions Just like other sports, there are positions on a 4-way team. They are Point, Outside Center, […]
Picking the best tunnel was easy when there were only two in the US. Now you probably have several choices […]
A continuity plan is a color-coded guide that suggests how to perform each formation in competition skydiving. If you look […]
You are walking like a pro when your team has a brainlock, bust, or bad block. Argh! Stop the presses? […]
Understand the basic exit principles Presentation, placement, timing, and fixing! Before you start with a bow, you should learn about […]
Every wonder how teams know those fancy spinning moves? Read on to discover what blocks are, how you can correctly read a […]
Types of Walkthroughs There are three different flavors of walkthrough, each with different goals. Learn how to execute the initial, […]
What round was busted the most at this last year’s nationals in 4way Intermediate? Here are a couple of ways […]
We have a coach! Do they cater lunch? Here are the more common team decisions and who is responsible for […]
Say it isn’t so! Your instructor fibbed to you when they said not to reach for grips. Well, maybe not […]
Love 4-way but still waiting for that trust fund to kick in? Skydiving is expensive, and 4-way can be even […]
How much wind tunnel time do you need for a season? I am asked this question from teams regularly. Here […]
Starting your first team? Avoid these four traps! Not Setting Goals Everyone has their own individual goals when they join […]
You found a coach! Get excited to be working with someone who can shape you into a better formation skydiver. […]
Getting in the tunnel can be intimidating at first, but there is a tunnel instructor who will guide you until […]
Headed to your first tunnel meet? They are a blast! Here are some tips to make your competition successful. Types […]
You’ve been told you should look across. Someone has explained that you should “fly your slot.” But what does that […]
There is no single path to getting on a professional team, but here is my story. Luck and circumstance play […]
You formation skydive. You are trying to make formations. But what exactly is a formation? How do I “mirror one”? […]
What round was busted the most at this last year’s nationals in 4way Intermediate? Here are a couple of ways […]
You see the pros gracefully dropping a knee and extending a leg to slide around effortlessly. A coach told you […]
The fun starts the second someone leaves the plane; so learn to leave the plane linked and start moving as […]
I love the phrase “Good, fast, or cheap. Choose any two!”. When selecting a coach, there are three big factors. […]
Curious as to why all the local coaches insist you stare into a stranger’s eyes in a socially awkward manner? […]
Are you presented with a mish-mash of team options? Can’t find anything suitable? Take a step back and start by […]
If you live in a climate that experiences the “joy of seasons”, you might begin wondering (or panicking!) how you […]
Looking at the plain black and white pictures from the rules doesn’t tell you how to do the block efficiently, […]
Building between the Point and Tail is an engineering concept that should be familiar to experienced 4-way competitors and is […]
The final dirt dive before you get on the plane is the last chance you get to practice with your […]
Keying is the process of checking the formation for completeness and indicating it is time to move. This process is […]
The big day is coming up, but how do you schedule your training right before the meet? How much training […]
The three key ingredients to a great exit are presentation, timing, and placement. Simple enough, right? Yet somehow I find […]
It doesn’t matter how in place your turn is if you aren’t on level! In a wind tunnel, you can […]
I suspect that it is no coincidence that two formations in the dive pool are named Murphy. Anyone who has […]
Yikes! Who stole the center? Some 8-way formations have no clear middle. What are the super secrets to building these […]
Another super fun meet with Jim Klinge (Bu) at Mission Valley! The hosts even awarded tunnel time prizes to the winners […]
Can you execute backward correctly only if you are concentrating on it? Or perhaps your fall rate control rocks when […]
Stages! Some builds in 8-way look impossible at first (here’s looking at you hope-less diamond). But if we combine two critical concepts […]
You’ve been doing 4way for a while and have realized that each jump presents dozens of options beyond the normal. […]
Great builds happen from the center out. Building the center takes a little time, and that sometimes leaves the outside […]
Congratulations to Khoren and Keith!
Want to know how to tackle slot switchers? I discuss several approaches to mastering both slots and learning to deal […]
In the last article, we spent some time identifying a center 4way. A mantra among 8way teams is ‘build the […]
Who needs a healthy dynamic when you can have the pure pleasure of driving your teammates nuts? There are countless […]
All Skydivers are Vulnerable I’ve observed through my years of skydiving a reaction to accidents that prevents skydivers from truly […]
Holy smokes! Six divisions. Six patch winners! Learn more and sign up for the next one!
Great 4-way and 8-way teammates strike a balance between providing feedback and letting their teammates correct their own mistakes. If […]
How to Give Criticism Regardless of whether you are an instructor, coach, teammate, or just a skydiving peer, you will […]
This is a short series of articles that will help you break down and understand how 8-ways are built. While […]
Taking criticism and turning it into improvement will propel you forward in your skydiving goals. Unfortunately, criticism can be very […]
Going low sucks! Every skydiver of some experience has had that combination of panic and dread as they are looking […]
Going low sucks! Every skydiver of some experience has had that combination of panic and dread as they are looking […]
Going low sucks! Every skydiver of some experience has had that combination of panic and dread as they are looking […]
Going low sucks! Every skydiver of some experience has had that combination of panic and dread as they are looking […]
This is a short series of articles that will help you break down and understand how 8-ways are built. While […]
Do you like to break down your flying or do you just do it? Balance these two concepts by crafting […]
This is a short series of articles that will help you break down and understand how 8-ways are built. While […]
If you are interested in a team in 2017 and would like help from Christy, you are welcome to fill […]
Physical Prep Before Session If you are on the edges of physically fit, take the time to build a little […]
Bow This classic beginner exit already has the outside center pre-presented. There is an awesome argument for only launching a […]
You can get more from your training experience if you come to your camp prepared. The more information you already […]
Did you know there are two common types of sidebuddies (block 7)? The most common – and easiest – is […]
Christy's coaching offers so much more than simply learning the dive pool--to fly well, one needs to engineer appropriately, walk purposefully, clearly understand the formations, recognize the role each flyer plays, and think. But even more to the point, each person coached receives personal attention to develop their skill, celebrating successes and examining weaknesses.