Introduction to Acrosport

ACROSPORT

CONCEPT

It is an acrobatic-choreographic sport, since there are three key elements incorporated into its exercises:

• Figure formations or body pyramids.
• Realization of floor gymnastic skills (jumps, turns and balances) which are used as transitions from one figure to another.
• Music, which supports the choreographic component of the combination of the previous elements.

As a competitive sport, acrosport has the following general characteristics:

1. Categories in which you can compete: female partners, male partners, mixed partners, female trios, and male quartets.
2. The elements of balances and acrobatic stunts make up the principal part of the exercise, forming a harmonious and rhythmic set with other gymnastic elements of flexibility and dance.

ACROSPORT PYRAMIDS

The pyramids: always imply a structure of at least two levels, with the base wider than the top level.

POSITIONS OF THE STUDENTS IN ACROSPORT

ACROBAT or agile: They are the ones who create the most complicated elements (stunts) and climb up to the highest positions of the pyramids.

BASELIFTER: The ones who act as the base, using their body as supports. They can be static or dynamic and their basic positions are: lying supine (laying on their back), quadruped (on all fours) and bipedal (standing).

HELPER: Their function is to help in the phases which require them and to adopt an aesthetic position in the final structure

GRIPS

• Hand in hand grip: To push and/or hold in the different formations. The double hand in hand grip is used fundamentally for the balances.
• Clamp grip
• Wrist and hand grip
• Arm in arm grip: To hold an inverted position.
• Platform: To trap and hold in some pyramids and to throw the agile student or acrobat in stunts.
• Hand-Foot grip: Used by the base/lifter to hold the agile in the structure in a static equilibrium position. The grip should be on the back of the foot

CONSTRUCTION AND UNDOING OF THE PYRAMIDS

1st Phase.- Construction of the pyramid:

The bases/lifters will form the base, adopting the chosen poses in the most firm position possible. The students who will occupy the highest part will climb up while remaining as close as possible to the base, with their heads up and exerting a force of pressure downwards, avoiding any push out in a lateral direction. The pyramid forms from the inside towards the outside, and from the bottom towards the top.

2nd Phase.- Stabilization:

Once the pyramid is formed, it must hold itself up for three seconds. If the weight distribution is correct, the pyramid will stay put. If it is necessary, corrections of the appropriate positions must be made to correct the imbalances that occur.

3rd Phase.- Undoing of the pyramid:

This must always be done in the opposite direction of the first phase, by having the agile going down towards the front or in a lateral direction. The bases/lifters or the helpers will help in the reception, by holding the agile by their waist or back.

PHASES OF THE UNDOING OF THE PYRAMIDS

1. Contact with the floor must always be done lightly with the feet spread out to increase the base of support. Always do this in the front when going down.
2. If the agile loses balance they must try and fall on their feet bending the knees to absorb the impact.
3. The spine must remain straight, with open arms to the sides and the upper body leaning forward.
4. The base/lifters must remain in their positions so that the agile can fall in open spaces with safety.
5. The one who falls must not hold onto another partner while falling.

CRITERIA OF SUCCESS IN THE CREATION OF THE FIGURES

To consider a figure to be correctly formed, the following sections are measured:

• Hold the figure for 3 seconds.
• During that time, the body must remain static.
• The body segments (arms, legs, spine, etc) must be aligned and the angles fixed according to the “form” of the figure.