About Lesson:

After 13 years of practicing and coaching layout, I’ve tried thousands of different ways to teach people this move. And probably the most important conclusion I’ve come to this:

Why? Because head down - especially when you can do transition from Sit group positions to Head Down group positions and than from Head Down group positions to Sit group positions again - builds the foundation of body awareness and control that’s essential for performing a safe, controlled layout.

Of course, you can start learning the layout at low wind speed with an instructor. It can be useful as a relaxation exercise or to get a first feel for the shape. But in my experience, that won’t give you the full picture - the deep understanding or confidence you’d get from training head down positions first.

Yes, I’ve seen many people do a layout - but without control. They manage to pull it off, sure, but it’s more like “thank God I didn’t hit the glass” rather than confident flying. True technique isn’t just about being able to do the element. It’s about having control - feeling that you’re fully in charge of what’s happening in the air.

The most dangerous part is when bodyflyer "crossed" a Bear positions sector! (from horizontal to vertical orientation, when wind blows to the back side of a body)

It’s fair to say that there are exceptions - sometimes, with a high number of repetitions and the right athletic background, it is possible to learn the layout at low speed too, without training Head Down positions flying before. But it will still looks not confident - like everyone dream is be!

So in this lesson - I’ll start by showing you how to begin training the layout after you’ve learned to fly head down (1 way). And in the second part, I’ll share how you can play with the layout even if you’re not flying head down yet - just for fun and to enjoy the sensations (2 way). Because let’s be honest - flying a layout feels amazing. And that matters too.

Once you have mastered the SIT positions group, it’s time to start training HEAD DOWN using the accelerated method. Below are the flight position pages that are part of the vertical HEAD DOWN group.

After you’ve learned how to take off from the net in the vertical head down orientation - you need to learn how to do a back direction transit from Sit position to Shuttlecock or Bear position. This will serve as a solid foundation for understanding how to perform a layout, as this is, let’s say, the most critical (or dangerous) zone.

Transit from Sit position to Bear position:

The next step is to perform the most fundamental exercise for the layout - the 360 turn around the SUN.

For example:

After enough times of a training again and again the same exercise - you will come to skill when you already can do it without visible connections points and for this element (Layout around SUN) you will need less wind speed!

After getting this skill (and during it) you can also practicing back direction layouts through the head which i show in a 2nd way, now it will be much more secure for you!

After you’ve learned how to fly on your back, before attempting a back direction layout through the head, you need to become familiar with several important positions and go through specific exercises that will greatly increase your chances of successfully performing this move with the support of an instructor. Some particularly gifted individuals might be able to do it on their own - but remember, this is can be dangerous without practicing vertical HEAD DOWN positions to do back direction layouts through the head. I strongly recommend the 1st way method as the safer option.

After training all or some of these positions let's learn which variations of back direction layouts possible to do on a low and middle-low wind speed ! Let's first watch how i do it alone without students.

Back layout from Banana to Belly Neutral position:

Back direction layout from Jet Fighter

to Belly Neutral position (through Banana position):

Jet Fighter position and back direction layout-flip after the diving down demonstration:

Bridge position demonstration and back direction layout:

Look attention to my arms during back direction layout:

Back layout from Banana to Flying Squirrel position

(through head down positions):

As you can see in the video, during the execution of this element, I actively use my arms. And it’s also important to have that from the beginning, because they act as a sort of braking or stabilizing or rule element - all together in the same time. If, say, you suddenly start being carried forward, keep your arms - your arms! They provide both lift and stopping power - they’re the foundation of everything. After you mastered back direction layout you can fly with or without arms, but now i recommend to use it very much!

Let's watch how i do back direction layouts with some students, different variations!

Banana and Scarab positions using for the training back layout:

Banana and Scarab position using

for the training back layout high mode:

Back direction layouts on a low wind speed with very focus on the back side of a arms:

As you may notice, my students - when I’m holding their hand - do perform the back direction layout, but you can still see that they don’t quite have enough sensation or awareness for safe execution. Because, for example, when I let go of their hand, a certain fear might arise, which can slightly, let’s say, interfere with their mental process during the back direction layout. And that could lead to a not-so-good outcome. So that’s why I prefer the 1st way method more, and use 2nd way for relaxation or good mood flying!

Back direction layouts rings. Positions for the perfect feelings of this element - Mantis, Eagle, Sit, Hedgehog, Back Neutral, Jet Fighter, Bear, Bumblebee, Cat, Mantis and the same ring again!

Plywood to Mattress and Mattress to Plywood positions layouts jumping:

Back direction layout from Mattress

to Plywood position (trough the Diver position)

and front direction layout from Plywood to Mattress position (trough the Diver position) :

Front-back high layouts and next front-back layouts jumping (stretched body positions):

Back direction layouts:

Front/Back direction layout from Mantis to Back Neutral position and return:

Preparing touches the glass and next

back layout from Bridge position to Belly Neutral: