Partner acrobatics safety

Partner acrobatics is an inherently risky activity. At Calistree we want to reduce the risk of injury for everyone. We are happy to share partner exercises, but we strongly encourage anyone learning partner acrobatics to seek professional instruction.

Base and flyer

In most partner exercises, one person acts as the base and the other as the flyer.

• The base is the frame of the movement, and usually supports the flyer's weight.
• The flyer performs most of the dynamic movement. This is not an absolute rule, so swap roles as it suits you.

Inherent risks and communication

• Always use a spotter.
• Use a safety mat when possible.
• Both partners should share any injuries or limitations.
• Before starting, everyone involved should understand the whole exercise from entry to exit, including which side moves first (for example, in a double bird-dog, will the left or the right side move first?). This prevents accidents and saves energy.
• Everyone is at risk of hurting themselves and each other. Remember that your partner is a person, not a barbell: no one should be pulled or pushed into a movement. Find a counterbalance instead.
• Stay safe and have fun.

Spotters

• A spotter should understand the exercise as well as the performers do, and communicate everything with them.
• Keep eyes on both the base and the flyer at all times.
• Always communicate boundaries for touching and being touched.
• Performers can ask for a hands-on or a hands-off spotter. A hands-on spotter actively touches the base and flyer to help their movements. A hands-off spotter hovers or stands close, usually with the hands ready to catch.
• For dynamic flows, the spotter moves with the exercise. For example, in a ninja-bat, the spotter moves around the base's head, watching for the flyer's head and chest to drop.

Spotting and spotters