Do you already know the basics of Jst-4-Fn team flying? You can learn the intermediate maneuvers here. We practice them regularly as a team.
Take-offs
Follow
The kites launch one by one and follow each other.
Calls from the leader: follow.
XX% face up / left / down / right
The kites climb in a line. They stop at the window percentage indicated by the leader. They then head in the direction indicated by the leader. In light winds, the leader may request that the kites be oriented to the left or right, as these directions are easier to hold.
Leader calls: 50% in line, one by one.
Leader calls: 50% face right.
Collecting start
The kites are placed on their 2 tips. The leader launches and rotates 270° to the right. He then advances towards the other kites. As the kite approaches, each kite launches one by one and rotates 270° to the right to join the others at follow.
Calls from the leader: Collecting start.
Split start
The kites have landed. The first kite launches, flies horizontally and makes a turn up. As kite 1 approaches, the second kite launches in turn to follow the initial path of kite 1. After the next turn up, kite 3 launches and follows the path in turn. And so on.
Leader calls : split start, turn up, turn up, turn up.
Follow, 2 groups
The kites will follow each other in 2 teams. The leader usually checks that the 2nd leader has been identified.
Leader calls: follow in 2 groups, follow.
Step follow
The kites are landed. The second kite takes the place of the first. The third kite takes the place of the second, and so on… At the same time, the first kite moves freely, for example a turn up. The kites repeat this sequence as many times as the leader requests.
Leader calls: big foot right, step follow.
Landing
Slide landing
This maneuver is the most widely practiced landing. The beginning corresponds to the Texas slide maneuver. Towards the end, the leader does a 180 to the left and lands. Each kite then does the same after passing the previous one.
Calls from the leader: slide landing.
In-flight maneuvers
Ball
The Ball maneuver involves positioning the kites to form a ball. The starting position is generally in a horizontal line. The kites move downwards until they form a ball.
During the transition, symmetry between the 2 ends is important. These kites at the ends lead the movement. The other kites follow and adapt their speed to maintain a nice curve.
Extreme positions are the most difficult for kitefliers. Beginners often position themselves in the middle of the line.
Leader calls: ball, in line.
Inside ball
The kites are in line. The starting position is generally in a horizontal line. The kites move upwards until they form a ball.
During the transition, symmetry between the 2 ends is important. These kites at the ends direct the movement. The other kites following adapt their speed to maintain a nice curve.
Leader calls : inside ball, in line.
Fast burst, slow burst & slow burst 2 steps
Kites generally start in the Ball or Arch position. They will then each move forward according to their initial direction:
- quickly if fast burst
- slowly if slow burst
- slowly in 2 steps if slow burst 2 steps
Calls from the leader: slow burst, reverse, slow burst 2 steps, reverse, fast burst, reverse.
Left / right tip in
The kites are in position Ball. They will turn 90° so that the tip indicated by the leader is inside the circle formed.
Calls from the leader: left tip in, face out, right tip in, face in, right tip in, face out.
Split position
The kites are aligned horizontally or vertically. They then rotate alternately through 90°. Generally, the kites are arranged in a column, with the odd ones to the right and the even ones to the left. The leader can specify orientations during the first maneuver, for example split position, 1 face right, 2 face left.
Leader calls: split position.
Pair change
The kites are at split position and exchange positions in pairs.
Leader calls: edges, 180, edges, 180, pair change, 180, pair change.
Leader calls: pair change, middle change, 180, middle pair change, pair change.
Change & change 90
The change maneuver is synonymous with pair change. This name has the advantage of being quicker for the leader to say.
Change 90 is a “half” pair change. The kites will turn 90° instead of 180°.
Leader calls: edges, 180, change, 180, change 90, 180, change 90.
Transfer from top / bottom
The kites are at split position. Depending on the direction indicated by the leader, one of the kites will exchange places successively with its neighbors, ending up at the other end of the line. The leader specifies the direction:
- Transfer from top to bottom the top kite makes pair change downwards.
- Transfer from bottom to top The bottom kite makes pair change upwards.
Calls from the leader: transfer from top, 180, transfer from bottom.
Diamonds
The kites will draw a first diamond on one side, then a second on the opposite side. The leader indicates the direction of the first diamond.
Calls from the leader: diamonds, in line.
Split diamonds
This time, odd and even kites will draw a first diamond in opposite directions.
Appels du leader : diamonds 1 up 2 down, in line.
Zip out / in
The kites are generally aligned and move forward. The leading kite makes a turn up and keeps going. Then, when the second kite arrives at the first kite’s initial position, it makes a turn down and continues forward. The following kites then do the same, alternately. After rotation, each kite moves forward while maintaining its relative position.
To return to the line, the kites turn around and perform a Zip in maneuver. The leading kite makes a turn down and continues forward. Then, when the second kite reaches the first kite’s initial position, it makes a turn up and continues forward. Then, the following kites do the same, alternately.
These two movements can be to the right or to the left. The convention is that the first kite always turns upwards.
The Zip in maneuver is not mandatory to close the zipper. Alternatives exist for returning to the initial position.
Calls from the leader: zip out, zip in.
Calls from the leader: zip out, zip in.
Zip out, in line
After executing the Zip out maneuver, each kite slides inwards to re-form the line. This return to the line makes it possible to execute Zip out again without turning back.
Leader calls : zip out in line, zip out in line
Radar
The kites are initially lined up in a column or a line. All the kites rotate to one end of the line indicated by the leader:
- Radar down: radar on the low side
- Radar up: radar on the high side
- Radar left: radar on left side
- Radar right: radar on right side
- Radar 90: 90° rotation, default downwards
- Radar 180: 180° rotation, default downwards
Maintaining the line is important. The outermost kite leads the movement. The other kites adapt their speeds to maintain the line.
In rare situations, the leader may also ask for “Radar in” or “Radar out“. We advise you to clarify their meaning the first time you use them.
Leader calls: radar down, 180, radar 180, 180, radar 90.
Calls from the leader: radar up, 180, radar 180, 180, radar 90.
Leader calls: radar down, 180, radar right, 180, radar up, 180, radar right, 180, radar down, 180, radar left.
Split radar
This maneuver is like a radar but with kites on split position.
Calls from the leader: radar down, 180, radar 180, 180, radar 90.
In grid & x by x by x
The kites climb line by line according to the leader’s instructions. The leader can also say: “1 by 2 by 3” for “in grid 1 2 3“.
Calls from the leader: in grid 1 2 1.
Calls from the leader: in grid 1 2 3.
Leader calls: in grid 2 2.
Position change
The kites exchange positions in the direction indicated by the leader. The leader may also say “switch position” or “1 position” instead of “position change“.
Calls from the leader: position change clock, position change anti-clock.
Calls from the leader: position change clock, position change anti-clock.
Roll up / down & split roll
The kites make a complete rotation in the direction indicated.
Leader calls: roll up, roll down, split roll 1 up 2 down.
Pinwheel Position
The kites stand in a line, then each turns so that :
- the top half of the line points to the right
- the bottom half to the left
Leader calls: pinwheel position.
Pinwheel
The kites are in pinwheel position. Kites rotate at the center of the line. The default rotation is 180°. The leader can indicate the desired angle: pinwheel 90, pinwheel 180, pinwheel 360, etc.
Maintaining the line is important. The kites at the ends lead the movement. The inner kites adapt their speeds to maintain the line.
Leader calls: pinwheel 90, pinwheel 180, 180, pinwheel 360, 180, pinwheel 90.
Snake & slide out
The kites are in line. The first kite will slalom between the kites behind and finish in last position. Then, the leader asks the kites to slide outwards so as to free the line turns. The first kite then moves forward to take up its original position. Finally, the leader asks the kites to return to the line.
Tip: the end of the slalom is different depending on the number of kites, to avoid a line turn. Here are 2 examples with 4 or 5 kites :
Leader calls: snake, slide out 1 up 2 down, back.
Leader calls: snake, slide out 1 up 2 down, back.
Snake & rolls
The kites are in line. The first kite will slalom between the kites behind and finish in last position. Then, the leader asks the kites to rotate outwards, and the first kite moves forward to take up its original position. Finally, all the kites rotate in the opposite direction.
Tip: the end of the slalom is different depending on the number of kites, to avoid a line turn. Here are 2 examples with 4 or 5 kites :
Leader calls: snake, split roll 1 up 2 down.
Leader calls: snake, split roll 1 up 2 down.
San Diego slide
Kites are initially Follow. The leading kite starts a downward slide (slide down maneuver) while the other kites continue to advance. Then, each kite follows the movement in turn.
The leader can initiate this movement without explicit command. In fact, this maneuver is a type of Follow. It may not be named by the leader if the team is experienced.
Leader calls: follow, san diego slide, follow.
Texas slide
Kites are initially Follow. The leading kite turns to orient its leading edge towards the ground. Then, without stopping, it slides diagonally. The other kites gradually follow suit.
The leader can initiate this movement without an explicit command. In fact, this maneuver is a type of Follow. It may not be named by the leader if the group is experienced.
Leader calls: follow, texas slide, follow.
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