Why is it easier to Treflip while moving?
Because the board opens up due to the weight distribution.
This time we talk about this common saying: Treflips are easier when moving. I, too, personally think you should try this trick moving no matter how slow it is. But scientifically why? Perhaps it has something to do with the weight distribution.
Summary
How should you distribute your weight?
Your weight should be on the toe side of your board before jumping. That way, your board will slip under your body as your body starts to fall toward the ground.
Why is it easier to Treflip while moving?
Because the board opens up to the heel side as you crouch down. This helps you distribute more of your weight on the toe side.
How far should I jump forward?
It varies depending on your weight, setup of your board, speed, hardness of bushings and so many other factors. You have to find the best weight distribution yourself.
Simulation
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Premises
Trajectory of the board
To understand why it is easier to Treflip while moving, we first need to understand the trajectory of the board in this trick.
Generally, by scooping the tail (which we talked about in the previous episode), a toe side wheel of the rear truck becomes a pivot point, grabs the ground and swings the board outward. Then the board lands on the toe side.
Your body has to land on the toe side
And obviously, to land it, we need to find a way to stay above the board. It is just like what we talked about in pop shove-its:
If our feet are not directly under our bodies, as we try to push down the ground, we wind up sending our bodies to the other direction of the feet.
Your body will land on the toe side without jumping forward.
So if your weight is located on the toe side of your board, you don't have to try to jump forward because it happens naturally according to the physics.
And that way, your body is already floating over a place where your board will be, and the board slips under your body as your body starts to fall toward the ground.
Note: Shift weight first then jump
This CANNOT be the other way around. If the board goes to the toe side before your body does, there’s no way you can land on it anymore.
If you remember Taopaipai from Dragon ball, he breaks and throws a pillar into the air and jumps on it. In fact someone recently proved that's actually possible but we are not him.
So make sure to keep in mind that the shift of the weight has to take place before jumping.
Analysis
Re-summary
Now that we know the basic concept of the trajectory of the board and the weight distribution, let's also think about why it is easier to do this trick while moving.
In other words, does doing this trick while moving have anything to do with the weight distribution?
Once again, in order to land the trick, our bodies have to be located on the toe side. What would do to achieve this?
Leaning forward is an obvious option but it is not the only way. Instead, what if it is the skateboard that moves, wouldn't that still do the same thing?
Is that possible?
You may think that's impossible but if you take a closer look at my Treflips, my board goes to the heel side every time I Treflip. Why do you think this happens?
The front foot tilts the board
As you crouch down, the majority of your weight is on your front foot.
And the front foot, that is on the heel side of the board, pushes down and tilts it. Since I'm moving, as soon as the board leans to one side, it starts turning to that direction.
When does it stop turning?
And after crouching down I start lifting up my body, releasing the pressure of my front foot. Then my front foot no longer pushes down the board. As a result, the board stops turning.
What happens when stationary?
On the flip side, when I Treflip stationary, although I may tilt my board due to the same physics, as the board is not moving, it simply does not move to the heel side.
How far should I jump forward?
Please note the slide of the board alone is generally not enough to place our bodies at the right spot for this trick.
In fact, depending on the setup of your board, your board may not tilt as much as my board does and you might have to jump forward further than I do. There are so many more variables like your weight, hardness of bushings, types of trucks and speed and everything.
Please take a moment and try to find out the best weight distribution yourself.
