Unlocking the Backflip: From Hyrule to Your Backyard (Maybe Don’t Try the Backyard Just Yet)
Ever watched Link backflip away from a Bokoblin and wished you could do that? The backflip is an iconic move in the Legend of Zelda series and real life. Let’s dive into how this maneuver works, from Hyrule to your controlled environment.
Backflips in the Lands of Zelda
The Art of Dodging: Zelda-Style
In battle in Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK) and Breath of the Wild (BOTW), a well-timed backflip is survival. The key? ZL targeting. Use that little button for acrobatic evasion.
- Lock-On is Your Friend: Hold ZL to focus on the enemy.
- Backflip Button Magic: Press X (or A while holding back on the left stick in TOTK) to jump backward. It’s essential to dodge lasers or clubs.
Tears of the Kingdom refines this slightly. For a simple backward jump, lock on with ZL, hold back, and press A. For a side dodge, flick the Left Stick while jumping with X. This movement helps you achieve a Perfect Dodge.
Speaking of Perfect Dodges, hold ZL to keep that shield focused. Jump when the enemy attacks, and BAM! A Flurry Rush prompt appears, letting you unleash attacks while time slows down. What a game-changer!
In Ocarina of Time, backflips also had their charm. Remember rolling into bomb blasts and backflipping out? Classic Zelda problem-solving. Press ‘A’ to roll into danger, then ‘Down + A’ to stylishly backflip away. Why just walk away from an explosion when you can backflip?
Real-World Backflips: Physics and Fails (Mostly Fails at First)
From Digital Dodge to Physical Feat
So, Link makes backflips look easy. But for us? It ́s not as simple as pressing ‘X’.
- Arm Swing Power: Use your arms to generate momentum. Swing them powerfully upwards as you jump.
- Hip Thrust: As you swing your arms, thrust your hips skyward. Push with your legs.
- The Tuck: In mid-air, tuck your knees tightly into your chest. This reduces body radius and increases rotational speed.
- Spotting the Landing: Don’t just flip and hope. “Spot” your landing by finding it with your eyes as you rotate.
The physics are neat. Tucking your knees turns you into a spinning top. Angular momentum increases, making you spin faster to complete the flip. Core muscles pull those legs up to initiate rotation.
Backflip Reality Check: Difficulty and Not Dying
Let’s be real, backflips are tough. They are a challenging skill. Don’t expect to nail it on your first try. Or your tenth. Or ever for some of us. There are two ways to learn:
- The Momentum Builder (Easier-ish): Start with cartwheels or other tricks to build up.
- The Standing Start (Hardcore Mode): Just go for it from standing. This is harder and not recommended for newcomers.
Safety first, folks! Find a soft landing spot. Gym mats or foam pits are your friends. A trampoline? Fun, but it comes with risks. Neck injuries can happen if you mess up. Always use a spotter when learning. A friend to catch you during the learning phase is invaluable.
Warm up! Stretch those muscles. Quick cardio followed by stretching arms, legs, chest, and back helps prevent injuries. Pulling a muscle while trying to be Link is just embarrassing.
Muscle Matters: Who’s Doing the Work?
It’s not magic; it’s muscles! Your legs provide jump power. Quads, hamstrings, and calves fire up. The core, notably abdominal muscles, is key for pulling your legs up and starting the flip. Skip the donuts and do crunches if serious about backflips.
Frontflip vs. Backflip: Fear Factor
Interestingly, while frontflips might be trickier, backflips often present bigger mental hurdles. Why? Flipping backward feels unnatural. You can’t see where you’re going! Frontflips feel more intuitive because you see the ground. It’s about overcoming fear of the unknown.
Backflips Beyond Hyrule and Gym Mats
Skateboards, Skates, and Bikes, Oh My!
Backflips aren’t just for Zelda characters and gymnasts. They appear in extreme sports.
- Skateboarding: The kickflip isn’t a literal backflip, but it involves flipping the skateboard 360 degrees.
- Figure Skating: Believe it or not, backflips were banned in competitive figure skating by the ISU in 1977. Too dangerous and against landing rules.
- BMX and Motocross: These daredevils take backflips higher. Triple backflips on bikes? Dirt-to-dirt backflips on motorcycles? Kids as young as 9 land these tricks. Mike Metzger did the first competitive freestyle motocross backflip in 2002, but Jose Yanez did it as early as 1991.
And just to prove you’re never too old, remember that viral video of the 52-year-old snowboarder nailing his first backflip? Age is just a number. Unless fighting Ganondorf, then age matters more.
Zelda Trivia: Because Why Not?
Link’s Age and Robot Arm
Ever wonder how old Link is in Tears of the Kingdom? Technically, he’s around 125 years old after a century-long nap post Breath of the Wild. He looks like he’s in his early 20s. That mysterious arm? Rauru gave Link a prosthetic after his original arm had a bad day.
Ganondorf: Gloom and Doom
Speaking of bad days, Ganondorf, the big bad Demon King in TOTK, is back to conquering Hyrule and spreading evil. Villain stuff. He’s Gerudo. Fighting him in Tears of the Kingdom is annoying thanks to “gloom.” This nasty mechanic messes with health and healing, and his gloom wraiths can steal your hearts. Ouch.
Z-Targeting Origins and Swimming Lessons
The Z-targeting mechanic for backflips? Conceived by Toru Osawa and Yoshiaki Koizumi for Ocarina of Time. Game-changing back then. For underwater adventures in Zelda games, grab the Flippers. Swimming without them is inefficient.
Lynel Hooves and Guardian Guts
Need Lynel Hoof? Fight a Lynel. Good luck with that. Ancient Cores from Guardians? Grind those robot enemies. Loot drops can be fickle.
Master Sword and Epona: Zelda Must-Haves
The Master Sword in TOTK? Two full stamina wheels and a trip to the Light Dragon. Epona? Scan your Super Smash Bros. Link or Twilight PrincessLink amiibo for it.
Amiibo Goodies: Ganondorf Edition
That Ganondorf amiibo isn’t just for show. Tap it for weapons, materials, and special paraglider fabric. Fashionable AND functional!
Parry Power: ZL + A
One last combat tip: Parry. ZL + A. Practice it. Love it. Live it.
So, there you have it! From dodging Bokoblins with backflips in Hyrule to attempting a backflip in real life, the move is iconic and impressive. Just remember, Link has magic and Hylian genes on his side. We have snacks and YouTube tutorials. But hey, we can dream, right?
