Flair Lesson #13: Flat From Behind Back
This is a great beginning, working flair bartending move that can be absolutely frustrating when you are first starting out. This is an important move to get comfortable with and will be useful in a number of future routines. My advice for learning the Flat From Behind the Back:
1) Let’s start with your grip on the bottle. Start by placing the pour spout directly in the middle of your palm and wrapping your fingers around the neck of the bottle – specifically with your index/pointer finger pointing all the way toward the bottom of the bottle. This move really depends on your finger movement, and that really depends on your proper grip of the bottle. As the bottle passes the center of your body, focus on pushing the neck of the bottle forward, against the natural motion of the bottle, to keep it from spinning. Use your pointer finger to push the neck of the bottle, counter-acting the natural spin on the bottle.
2) Ideally we want to to be able to do this move behind the back, but while we are learning, try practicing the move in front of you. The concept is the same, whether it is behind you or in front of you. Once you are able to throw the bottle and keep it upright in front of you, practice doing the same throw but stepping forward, throwing the bottle behind you with the same manner that you threw it in front of you. This is really a 2-dimensional move; in theory, you should be able to do this move in front of you just as you should be able to do it behind your back. In reality, it may be a bit more difficult than that, but you can help by practicing this throw, keeping your arm in a straight line in front of you, then do the same thing stepping forward and through the throw.
3) This is one of those weird moves that may be actually easier to learn with a partially full bottle. Try using a Malibu bottle or another glass bottle filled halfway up with water. For some reason, having weight in the bottle tends to help the bottle from spinning upon release. If this move is driving you crazy, try using a bottle that is 1/4 full, 1/2 full, or 3/4 full and see what works the best for you.
4) Be ambidextrous – this is also one of those weird moves that you might be surprised to discover that your non-dominant hand is actually better at performing this move. When I first learned the Flat From Behind the Back, I found that I could perform this move much easier with my left hand, even though I am right-handed. See if that is the same case for you.
Our goal is to be able to throw the bottle behind our back and keep it straight up and down. Spinning the bottle is fine for some future moves, but for now it’s really important to be able to catch the bottle upright without spinning it. We will build off this in future moves.
The Discussion...
