Acrosport Grip Stations: Safe Holds and Hand Platforms
A four-station circuit where each pair practices the basic acrosport grips: wrist-to-wrist, hand-to-hand, forearm and hand platform. Students build safe holding technique and trust, the foundation for every stunt that follows.
How to play
- Pair students by similar size; set four mat zones, each with a numbered cone. Demonstrate the grips in 2 minutes.
- Station 1, wrist-to-wrist: partners sit facing, feet against feet, and stand up together by leaning back in counterbalance; 6 times.
- Station 2, hand-to-hand: standing one step apart, palms pressed together, partners lean forward into a roof shape and hold 5 seconds.
- Station 3, forearm grip: partners lower together into a 90-degree squat with weight back and rise without jerking; 6 times.
- Station 4, hand platform: the kneeling base crosses hands at hip height; the flyer places one foot, steps up holding the base's shoulders and steps down; 4 times per role.
- Each station lasts 3 minutes; rotate in order on the whistle and switch roles halfway. Two-minute wrap-up: each pair explains its safest grip.
Rules
- Grip wrists or forearms, never fingers or clothing.
- The flyer asks "Ready?" and waits for the base's "Ready" before loading.
- If a grip slips, call it out and both lower slowly.
- No rings or bracelets; short nails.
Variations
Easier
Use only the wrist-to-wrist and hand-to-hand stations, with more time at each.
Standard
Complete all four stations, switching roles at each one.
Harder
Link two grips without letting go, for example forearm hold into hand platform.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: practice grips and counterbalances from a chair with a standing partner.
- Autism or shyness: keep the same partner and show each grip on a picture card.
- Weak grip: use forearm holds instead of wrist holds and fewer reps.
Learning goals
- Perform the four basic acrosport grips safely.
- Use clear calls to start and finish every load.
- Trust a partner by shifting weight gradually.
Equipment for a class of 25
- mats: 12
- cones: 4
Teacher tip
The typical mistake is fingertip gripping: coach a C-shaped hand around the wrist. Group pairs by size so no one carries too much.
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