Cripple tricking lists

That problem you conquered years ago resurfaces and cripples you again out of nowhere, and then goes away tomorrow. What the hell? This happens a lot, especially as you get more experienced. Little aches and pains that just pop up in the middle of a session. Sometimes recurring, sometimes new, often just fleeting problems. But it still doesn't change the fact they can ruin an entire training session! What can you do?

Keep training

You can keep training if you can just think of things that do no aggravate the problem. But now is not the time to think, and the pain is distracting. Your body is rapidly cooling down while you're worrying. If only you had a list prepared of things you could do when you feel crippling pain.  Oh wait! Good idea!

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Cripple tricks lists

Create a list of tricks and trick combos you can do if you begin feeling a particular pain. Here are some simple examples of individual tricks,

Pain in my left foot

This pain hurts mostly when I land on it.

• I can do: Right side a-switch (doesn't involve left foot at all).


• I can do: Right side gainer switch (doesn't involve left foot at all).


• I can do: Masterswipe (barely involves left foot).


• I can do: Sideswipe (barely involves left foot).


• I can do: Ch.720 kick (barely involves left foot).


• I can do. BHS flash on right leg (only involves left foot during jump).


• I can do: Flash kick on right leg (only involves left foot during jump).

Pain below my right knee cap

This pain hurts mostly during takeoff.

• I can do: Left side a-switch (doesn't involve right knee at all).


• I can do: Left side b-twist (doesn't involve right knee at all).


• I can do: Right side 540 kick (barely involves right knee).


• I can do: Left side masterswipe (only involves right knee during landing).


• I can do: Left side hypertwist (only involves right knee during landing).

Pain in right hamstring

This pain hurts mostly when it is stretched.

• I can do: Left side Ch. 720 kick (doesn't stretch right hamstring at all).


• I can do: Left side cork (doesn't stretch right hamstring too much).


• I can do: Double leg (doesn't stretch right hamstring too much).


• I can do: Sideswipe (doesn't stretch right hamstring too much).

Compounding cripple lists

However, in the real world, most tricksters are walking around with several problems. For example, what if you are experiencing two pains at once? One in your left ankle and one in your right hamstring? Then you have to be very creative!

Pain in both left foot and right hamstring

• I can do: Sideswipe (doesn't aggravate either pain).


• I can do: Ch. 720 kick (doesn't aggravate either pain).


• I can do: Ch. 720 kick to Sideswipe combo (yes! aha!).

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Keep a running log of cripple lists

To make the cripple tricks list idea work you have to actually have some lists made before you encounter a problem. Duh.  Also, consider combining Cripple tricking with Quantricking and One trick pony sessions. These are great methods of tricking when you are facing fierce limitations due to pain and injury. Ambitricking is also an attractive option for future proofing your tricking: because if you learn a lot of tricks on your other side when you are healthy, that gives you a lot more to work with when you aren't. Hopefully your cripple lists don't grow too large, that would mean you're crippled all the time haha! To read more about injuries, check out my write up Jujimufu on Injuries.