Acrobatics is a vibrant world that includes many disciplines, and the difference between beginner, intermediate, and advanced moves in the field is pronounced.
The first quality that sets apart advanced acrobatics from intermediate and beginning acrobatics is that advanced is generally much more difficult to execute than beginner- or intermediate-level moves.
Advanced vs Beginner/Intermediate
Advanced acrobatics require much more strength, flexibility, and endurance than those of a beginner, as well as more overall hours of practice. Usually, advanced acrobatics also include an element of artistic style, grace, and even a signature aesthetic.
Advanced acrobatics can also be a lot more dangerous, although beginning moves can be risky, too.
Working with a spotter and a trained instructor can help prevent accidents while learning the ropes. Even high-level professionals sometimes work with spotters, crash mats, and harnesses to avoid the risk of personal injury.
Advanced acrobats will use the tricks they learn at the beginning of their training to help them work at their current skill level. This is why even a simple cartwheel performed by a professional can be mesmerizing to any viewer.
Advanced Solo Acrobatic Moves
- Planche: This is a horizontal aerial trick that can face up toward the ceiling or down to the floor, frequently performed on aerial straps, aerial rings, aerial silks, or on the floor. The practitioner must exhibit extreme strength and endurance to hold the pose.
- Flag: This extremely difficult position is also an aerial move. In it, the aerialist rolls down the arm, which ends up behind the artist’s back. The move is so-called because the body resembles a flag in the wind. Special care must be taken to protect the shoulders.
- Butterfly Twist: This is a favorite tumbling trick where the acrobat leaps into the air using the forces of muscle and momentum. Then, again with her or his body horizontal to the floor, the legs swivel in the air with a flying motion, as a butterfly flapping its wings.
- Back Flip: As the name implies, the backflip is that familiar move in which you flip backward in space. Although just about everyone knows a backflip when they see one, very few can do one. This is due to the fact that the backflip takes flexibility, coordination, and trust in one’s abilities.
- Single Arm Handstand:A two-arm handstand takes years to completely master. With only one arm, it can take an entire lifetime. When one can appreciate this fact, the elegance of an acrobat delicately balancing on a single arm elevates it from a mere trick and becomes truly enchanting.
Advanced Group Acrobatic Moves
- Catch and Release: This is more of a style than a proper trick, but it involves a duo of acrobats. Usually a base and a flyer, and sometimes switching roles in the same act, will alternately catch and release each other from the arms, ankles, legs, neck, and hips.
- Three High: This refers to three acrobats stacked atop one another. One person stands on the floor as the base, while two more climb up and balance on the lower person’s shoulders. The trick is difficult to master, but always a crowdpleaser.
- Hand to Hand: This style creates a real wow factor because the two performers are usually connected to each other by their hands. It generally refers to the art of hand balancing. The hand to hand motif can sometimes lend itself well to a romantic vibe for an act.
- Russian Bar: In this act, two performers act as a base on either side of a flexible bar, upon which a third performer jumps, twirls and flips. The act has a high level of danger and requires all the usual acrobatic skills along with communication and teamwork.
- Tightrope: A group tightrope number can be very demanding and dangerous. Frequently accompanied by things like bicycle riding and playing an instrument, the success of the act depends on a high level of training… and daring.
Most acrobats devote their lives to polishing an act, read what they actually doing in the circus. When you consider the technique, artistry, and danger involved, it’s clear to see why. But everyone has to start somewhere, and that place is at the beginning. So what are you waiting for?
