First of all some general tips:
Ukemi (break falling), like any good structure, is built on good foundations. For the techniques we have Kamae and Kihon Dosa. These exist in a sense for falling too. Kamae is just as important for rolling and flipping as it is for techniques. But here's the thing; if you want to be good at flipping, get phenomenal at backdrops (koho kaiten ukemi).
Practise sequentially through backdrops, rear side falls (backdrop shoulder pivots), basic rolling, advanced rolling and landing position, standing from rolling, multiple rolls on a line and THEN move on to flipping. Especially if you are nervous this sequence should be followed to prepare your body and mind for the practise of flip falls.
If you are outside of normal training have a partner to 'spot' you. There are lots of exercises that are done with a partner that take a large amount of the danger out of the action of flipping.
Now for something a bit more specific:
Keep that back leg straight and in line with the shoulder on the same side. That is the lever that turns you over. The most common mistake in this area is to curl up the upper body and flap your legs around. Like throwing a ball with a piece of string attached and a top spin applied to it.
On this subject, remember the fußbal analogy. The player cannot change his shape, and to avoid his head hitting the floor he doesn't rely on speed as he rolls. The point of turn is higher up so when he is upside down his legs are higher than the original position of his head.
So don't throw yourself down. Following on from rolling, think forwards. Even though the flip should be on the spot this is a much more accurate feeling than to throw your arse over your head which you're in turn throwing at your testicles.
Don't flip sideways or backwards. Learn to turn into the flip; not too far but just so you are not quite flipping absolutely square. The phrase 'element of side' is used here to good effect. Your hips should be open just enough that your shape makes the landing position when inverted. That means that on a right handed flip, your left shoulder should remain facing the front with a continuous line of site to said (relative) front.
Don't over do the breaking hand. So often people get hyper theatrical with the hand that breaks the fall. This is not only counter-productive, it is downright dangerous and a waste of energy. Your body is providing almost the exact amount of energy required to break the fall simply by being of the exact mass and velocity of... well of itself. So only a tiny amount of extra energy need be put into the arm to effectively break the fall. So think of it as 'placing' the arm not 'hitting' the mat.
Hope that's useful. Have a video:
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