Description
Video Transcript
Performing wrapped tricks is a fun way to mix up your riding session. Any trick that requires a handle pass can have a wrapped variant. Essentially the wrap eliminates the need to pass the handle on spins and inverts.
There are many fancy ways to get into the wrapped position, but in this video we are going to focus on the basics. There are 4 ways to pass the handle on a wakeboard... HS FS, HS BS, TS FS and TS BS. Since any handle-pass trick can also be performed wrapped, there are also 4 wrapped positions. Luckily for you, getting into all 4 of these wrapped positions is essentially the same, with just a few little differences here and there.
No matter which wrap you want to enter, you need to execute these key techniques. First off, to get wrapped, you need to advance yourself towards the boat. The rope length is constant, and doesn't stretch, so the only way to get the rope wrapped around you, is to pull yourself close to the boat.
When you take a look at this side shot of Chad, notice that he extends his arms out in front of him. This straight-armed starting position makes sure he can get the maximum pull from his arms. You'll also notice that he uses his hips as well. Right before he advances his body towards the boat, he cocks his hips back. Once he pulls the handle into his body, he also throws his hips forward to create additional momentum.
Taking a closer look at the pull, you'll notice two important factors. First off, he pulls the handle in with two hands. The second thing you'll notice is he pulls the handle in toward the middle of his body, not towards the back of his hip. Even though eventually you want to get the handle behind your hip, you do not pull the handle there. If you do, this will cause you to do a surface spin. The key is to pull the handle towards the middle of your body, to advance yourself towards the boat, and THEN move the handle behind your hip, so you can get into the wrapped position.
Getting wrapped is a 3 step process. We've already gone through the first step which is pulling the rope in to advance yourself towards the boat. The second step is passing the handle to your other hand. If you are going to be performing a frontside rotation, then you pass the handle to your front hand across the front of your body. If you are performing a backside rotation, then you pass the handle to your rear hand across the back of your body. As soon as you get a good grasp on the handle, you are ready to perform the 3rd and final step which is let go the hand that just passed the handle, and grab your smaller wrap handle or t-bar handle with that hand. You'll need to complete steps 2 and 3 before the tension builds back up from the pull of the boat. Depending on how aggressively you advanced yourself towards the boat with your pull, you'll probably have about a second and a half to complete the maneuver.
Once you are wrapped up, riding around might seem a bit awkward. You'll notice that riding around wrapped for bs spins is easier than riding around wrapped for frontside spins. The reason why is because when you are riding around for backside spins you are riding around with your front hand. When you ride wrapped for frontside spins, the pull from the boat will be on your rear hand. This will make edging around a little harder, and you'll have to focus on keeping your back fin planted in the water, so you don't get pulled off of your edge into a surface frontside 180. Another thing that makes backside easier than frontside is the amount of wrap. You'll notice that the amount you are wrapped up is much less on a backside wrap when compared to a frontside wrap.
Well I hope this video gave you some insight on how to get wrapped and the basics or riding around wrapped. If you haven't already, you should try to add some wrapped tricks to your arsenal. You'll soon find that they are a fun way to mix things up while riding.
