Quote Originally Posted by MadMojoMonkey View Post
This is what a baseball pitcher does to throw a curve ball. The pitcher puts forward spin on the ball, causing the Magnus effect to pull the ball downward by deflecting the air flowing under the ball such that the air goes upward. Newton's 3rd says that if the ball pushes the air upward, then the air pushes the ball downward, making it curve toward the ground faster than gravity would normally pull it down.

You'd want to spin the other way to exploit the Magnus effect. This would send the air going above you toward the ground. Which would exchange your forward velocity for lift, reducing your rate of falling.

Unfortunately, the Magnus Effect tends to "spin up" the object. Once you start the rotation, it gets amplified. You might have more trouble keeping your limbs in close and not flailing wildly. The flailing would probably not be best for an injury free landing.
I think it was back spin, so when it hit the ground, the spin attempts to cause it to roll uphill. Of course, the spin is utterly overwhelmed by gravity, but the tiny effect it has could be the difference between it breaking and not.

Or maybe it was top spin so it hit the ground and immediately rolled quickly down the hill.

I'm pretty sure the spin is intended to help with the roll though, and not reduce its velocity.