Acrosport Call System: Ready, Up, Down

Groups learn a shared call system to build and break down stunts: "Ready?", "Ready," "Up," "Hold" and "Down." Students practice communication, timing and safety, because no one moves without the matching call.

How to play

1. Groups of four on mats: caller, base, flyer and spotter. Present the five calls on cards and rehearse them with the class for 2 minutes.
2. Dry run (3 minutes): with no weight, the caller gives the calls and the group only acts them out; if anyone jumps ahead, start over.
3. Low stunt (4 minutes): the flyer kneels on the base's hips following the calls; hold 3 seconds on "Hold" and break down on "Down."
4. The caller role rotates every two stunts so everyone gives the calls.
5. Surprise round (4 minutes): each group gets a card with a new stunt; the caller may yell "Stop" and everyone comes down under control.
6. Two-minute wrap-up: each group rates itself from 1 to 3 on following the calls.

Rules

• No weight goes on without the base's "Ready."
• Anyone may call "Stop," and it means come down now, under control.
• Calls are loud and clear; no side talk during a stunt.
• The spotter stays within arm's reach of the flyer from "Up" until "Down."

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: be the caller and manage the stunt cards.
• Hearing impairment: swap calls for visible gestures and shoulder taps.
• Shyness: start as spotter and take a turn as caller at the end.

Learning goals

• Use a shared communication code to build and break down stunts.
• Respect group signals during higher-risk tasks.
• Make safety decisions, such as stopping a stunt, responsibly.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 12
• cards: 6

Teacher tip

Require these calls for the rest of the unit and praise groups that keep them. Watch for giggling during stunts: it makes bases lose their brace.

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