BASIC SKILLS ON STATIC TRAPEZE

1. TRANSITIONS (Pre Skills)

These movements are not really tricks but are essential basics for learning more advanced
moves on the trapeze. The student should make sure their body is prepared by spending time on
the conditioning exercises already shown then learn the following movements until they are
perfect before advancing onto the trapeze skills.
Swingstand (art 1)
Start from sitting
Shoulders back, slide bar to
hocks
Bend 1 leg and put toes on
bar
ull into ropes and push
straight leg down to floor
Swingstand (Part !)
Slide hands up the ropes
ull up and push with the leg
lace other leg on bar
Basi" #ang P$siti$n
The scapulae should be
depressed in hang so the
neck is !long"
#irst two pictures show
correct position
Third picture shows incorrect
position
Basi" Beat
Start from pike
Beat the legs downwards
and backwards keeping
tension in the lower back
and legs
$%
T%"k t&r$%g& t$ ike
This should be performed
from a beat first and then
from static
The legs should be brought
up to the bar without pulling
to much in the shoulders in
order to allow the legs to
s&uat through
P$'$(( ()ent legs)
#rom sitting to pike
erform with bent legs in
hock first
't(s important to keep contact
with the bar
)o not let the shoulders fall
back
P$'$(( (straig&t legs)
*s above, keep the legs
straight and in contact with
the bar
Beat in &$"ks &ang t$ sit
+ocks beat, arms parallel,
reach high at the end of the
swing
ush down into the bar with
the legs
Skinners
#rom pike, hocks on, reach
under the bar, grasp the
ropes, pull backwards into
backward roll to sit on the
bar
$,
Skinners (r$* &$"ks )eat
#rom beat bring the chest to
the bar
-each under the bar to hold
ropes
.ontinue as for normal
skinners
One leg $'$n
/se the free leg to swing
and help momentum
One leg skinners
The free leg can help with
the momentum
0eep the hocks leg tight on
the bar until sitting
Ba"kward r$ll (r$* sitting
-each high with straight
arms
1ift the legs, pull up and
back roll to toes on bar, then
roll body up to stand
+$rward r$ll (r$* stand t$ sit
#old in half to pike
1ift feet off bar and forward
roll
ull up in the arms to arrive
in sit
$2
, and $-er (r$* )eat
*im the knees to the bar,
and at the same time start to
pull up with the arms
Bring the hips to the bar, as
the feet go over and down
raise the upper body to a
straight position
, and $-er wit&$%t )eat
This re&uires more strength
than above
$3
!. Basi" .$-es
Birds Nest (,nder )ar)
1egs should stay straight
There should be a smooth curve all the
way from the shoulders to the hips
Birds Nest (On r$es)
Same position as under bar with hands on
ropes
.er*aid (,nder )ar)
.er*aid (a)$-e )ar)
#al( angel ($rwards
The foot on the rope should be flexed but
not syckled
45
#al( angel )a"kwards
*s above
)rop the lower leg to maximum stretch
/a0elle
Turn the body to the side, bar between
cheeks 6icture 17
8pen the hips slightly with the bent leg
Straighten the other leg and lower the body
down into position
A*a0$n (wit& s%$rting &and)
A*a0$n (wit&$%t s%$rt)
41
1. #angs
#$"ks #ang
+ips should be pressed forward
9rip bar with the backs of the knees
Ankle &ang
#eet should be flexed
ush the ropes inwards with the feet
T$e #ang
The hips should be pressed forwards
The bar goes across the upper part of the
foot, near the ankle
#eel #ang
Begin this on lunge
8pen out slowly
.ome up head first
4$
2. Balan"es
+r$nt )alan"e
0eep the chest up
S&ueeze the buttocks
Balance under hip bone 6this can
vary from person to person7
Seat )alan"e
Balance on the base of the pelvis
Sit back and lift the knees
Tighten the stomach
0eep balance with a minimal
movement of the legs
Ba"k Balan"e
:xtend from the rib cage to the
toes
The shoulders should be
vertically downwards
Balance on the coccyx 6this can
vary7
3aist )alan"e
Balance in the middle of the
lumbar spine
*rch over the bar
0eep the hips in alignment
Knee Balan"e
Balance on head of tibia
+ips should be back
*rms forwards

44
4. Basi" dr$s
5r$ t$ (r$nt angel
#rom sitting take 1
leg to side
)o not pike, maintain
dish
;ove the shoulders
back
Sitting t$ ankle &ang
Take the shoulders
back
)o not pike, maintain
a dish
Skinner t$ ankles
8pen out from
skinners, straddling
legs
)rop to ankles
+r$nt )alan"e t$
"at"&ers
*s you drop forwards
start to open legs
)on(t bend legs until
they touch the ropes
:xtend forwards as
you drop
+r$nt )alan"e t$ 1 leg
&$"ks
*s you drop open
one leg to the side
The other leg goes
forwards
4<
#$"ks dire"t
#rom sitting lower the
hips to hocks
0eep the back
straight
+ocks beat to sit
4=