uppåtbakåt

Uppåtbakåt is a Swedish term used in movement sciences, coaching, and performing arts to describe a motion in which the body moves upward and backward. The word is a compound of uppåt ("upward") and bakåt ("backward"), and functions as a directional descriptor rather than a fixed technical definition. In Swedish-language gymnastics, dance, and parkour literature, uppåtbakåt is employed as a cue for elements or transitions where the trajectory or takeoff is oriented upward and toward the rear relative to the starting position. Because it is a descriptive term, its exact meaning can vary by discipline, coach, and context, and it is not part of a standardized international nomenclature.

In practice, uppåtbakåt may refer to phases of jumps, leaps, or transitional movements where the center of mass follows an upward-backward path, or to the takeoff orientation intended to facilitate a backward rotation or a backward-directed landing. Coaches might use the cue to coordinate trunk extension, hip drive, and arm timing to achieve the desired arc. The term is predominantly found in Swedish-language coaching materials, instructional videos, and education resources, and is less common in English-language or formal sport taxonomies.

As a niche directional term, its interpretation remains local to training communities, and readers encountering uppåtbakåt should consider the specific discipline and instructor’s definition to understand the intended movement.