The balance on the head is indeed much more stable than the balance on the arms, but since the base has no or very limited eye contact with the flyer, the risk of a shearing is very high. An injury to the cervical spine is very annoying and tedious! So please think twice, whether you really want to try this position … There are basically 2 ways to balance the flyer: 1) On the forehead with raised shoulders that stabilize the head and cervical spine (is usually used for one-armed counter handstand). Thus the base can not correct with the […]
Kategorie: Base
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Priority of the base is always the maximum stability. A stable balance is clearly visible because of the straight line of force. Just like a stalagmite in the salt grotto merges with the stalactite to form a pillar, base and flyer form a stable pillar in balance. If this line is not correct, the viewer is more likely to get the impression of a medium strong earthquake. Balancing the flyer with the hands while standing is one of the most important basic skills for partner acrobatics. In fact, the possibilities are limited more by the imagination of acrobats than by […]
In principle, it is possible to balance the flyer only over the contact point of the thighs. The flyer serves as a counterweight, while the thighs must be as horizontal as possible. The base balances in the interplay of knee and hip joints. With beginners it’s often observed, that those are pulled up on their tiptoes. For a stable balance, however, this should be absolutely avoided. Since the base with his center of gravity gets only with a lot of practice under the one of the flyer, this position is initially used only for a libra … see also special […]
There are 2 possible positions for the balance on the forearms: 1. Over the head Balancing above the head is similar for the base as the lower arm stand of the flyer. The balancing should work well first while lying down, before a couple dares into this position! In principle, the base may balancing on the forearms all positions of the flyer with 2 contacts. Only the entrance to the position limits the variations. For instance the standing flyer reaches the forearms only from the shoulder. This entrance requires expert level and looks like nothing special. Nevertheless, it certainly makes a […]
In this position, only forms of libra are possible. Pushing point is always the lower leg and pulling point can be the arm or the shoulder of the base. The average mobility of the shoulder in the back area upwards is limited. The base may compensate this somewhat by leaning more forward and / or only reach backwards with one arm. The flyer is here behind the base, so the base does not see the flyer and has to balance him without visual contact. Possible positions of the flyer: standing (chair) standing flag backwards standing (figurehead) handstand flag It can […]
The shoulder in the acrobatics extends from the neck to about (depending on the power of the base) to the middle of the upper arms, so room enough for several flyers! And that on both sides of the head. The shoulder is (unlike the hip) a floating joint, which means that it has no firm connection with the trunk skeleton. When the base pulls the shoulder to the neck, there is hardly any room left for one flyer. The most important ability of the base in this position is therefore to raise the upper arm without pulling the shoulder to […]
The center of gravity of the base, even if he is bowed far forward, is above his feet. The back is as straight as possible, with a slightly higher shoulder than the hip. The flyer will be balanced behind the base and thus without visual contact. In the balance (without the help of the hands), the base should imagine a large ball on his back, which he wants to prevent from rolling down. It must be avoided at all costs that the floor of the flyer will literally be pulled away from under his feet. Lying or sitting flyers are […]
The base holds his hands approximately shoulder width, as he would turn the hands of the flyer inwards when positioning more narrow. The palm is open so that the flyer has the largest possible space available. The thumbs are as close as possible to each other. The wrist is located above the upper arm and must never come before the elbows. The lower arms are aligned in the direction of the center of gravity of the flyer to ensure good stability against shear forces. The position “Base standing, short arm” is an important starting position for dynamic tricks in duo-acrobatics […]
In order to avoid shear forces when to enter the one-armed, the flyer must learn to lean actively from the middle of the body in the desired direction laterally. The axis of rotation for the handstand is the shoulder and when standing the hip! If the base does not prevent this leaning, the weight of the flyer tilts on one arm in a controlled manner until the center of gravity reaches above the axis of rotation and the base’s carrying hand. The base follows this tilting with his elbow … Then, when the weight has almost completely arrived in the […]
The balance on the straight arms takes place exclusively over the legs. Again, the picture of balancing a huge ball is very helpful. As soon as the flyer starts to tip out of line, it creates a rotation that balances the base as fast as possible. Simply staying with your hands under the flyer’s focus is not enough! Correcting with the shoulder or elbow inevitably leads to a bent line of force. This in turn results in either a hollow cross, or wastes a lot of power. Not to mention the lack of appeal for the audience. The lying flyer […]
This balance is relatively easy as long as the flyer is stabilized (e.g., sideways flyer or shoulderstand) or by the other hand of the base (e.g., cross-breaker at the leg or knot handstand at the upper arm). However, the balance without some form of stabilization becomes difficult. The entrance usually takes place via one of the stabilized positions … which are already manageable by advanced bases. Without picking up the residual weight from the stabilizing arm, this balance starts extremely shaky. If you have not automated the pick-up, you should practice it again with simpler positions (for example, with lying […]
Maximum stability in this position would be if the heels are pulled all the way to the po, but then the angle of the feet is no longer suitable for the balance. It is important to find a good compromise. The back is always under tension … no position for having a rest. The possibilities in this position are very limited, since even small shearing forces mean the end of the trick. The base can not help in case of a crash. It makes sense to initially balance in this position only a lying flyer. This position looks very nice […]
When looking at biomechanics I am less concerned with the exact derivation of mechanical and biological principles, but more with the consequences for acrobatics … Mechanics: Acrobats are essentially dealing with 3 energies. Potential, kinetic and rotational energy. These energies have as common quantities: the mass and the force vector. The mass is for an acrobat a very personal given size, which is also associated with its available power (= m * a). It determines significantly whether a person should be a flyer or a base. In addition, you can’t change much the mass of a person in a short-term […]
In principle, the safety-helper (spotter) should know the trick itself, so that he recognizes the potential dangers in good time. Arrangements: First, the helper is informed, which trick to secure and what is expected of them. In principle, the helper is never directly in front of or behind the base so that no-one does stumble during a correction step. As soon as more than one correction step is necessary, the base breaks off, otherwise it forces the helper(s) to run along. A helper can not catch well, while he moves! An unintentionally rotating base also forces the helper to move. […]
The tubular bones of the birds are known to be extremely stable against shearing forces. After all, cannons were built according to this principle. In comparison, however, the best base is as stable as a straw. In favor the flyer on the base does not really have to be able to balance himself. In the best case, a flyer can do both, mostly it’s better for the base to get the control, especially if the flyer has reached the shape and weight of an adult. In sports acrobatics, the difference in size between partners rightly enters into the scoring. Useful […]