Double-Base Trios: Three-Person Pyramids

Three-person pyramids with two bases and one flyer, the most stable structure for moving on from partner figures. It works symmetrical base placement and weight sharing.

How to play

1. Demo the double base: two bases in table position, shoulder to shoulder at the same height. The flyer splits hands and knees between the two (4 min).
2. Figure A: flyer on all fours across both tables, knees on the hips and hands on the shoulders. Three reps and rotate (7 min).
3. Figure B: bases kneeling side by side; the flyer stands with one foot on each base's thigh, hand-to-wrist grip with both (7 min).
4. Figure C: each trio invents a variation by changing how the bases face (parallel, in a "V" or in a line) and tries it once the teacher approves (8 min).
5. Show the C figures in groups of three trios (4 min).

Rules

• Both bases set up before the flyer comes near.
• The flyer climbs on from the side, never jumping on from behind.
• One support on each base: nobody carries all the weight.
• If a base says "Down," the flyer comes down right then.

Variations

Adaptations

• Knee injury: bases only in table position with a folded mat under the knees, or spots for the next trio.
• Afraid of height: flies only in figure A, which stays under a meter off the floor.
• Hearing impairment: the trio agrees on three hand signals (ready, up, down) and practices them first.

Learning goals

• Build three-person pyramids with a stable double base.
• Share the flyer's weight between two bases.
• Create a safe variation of your own.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym mats: 14
• figure cards: 10

Teacher tip

In the all-fours figure, the usual mistake is bases drifting apart under the load: ask them to keep their shoulders touching the whole time. With an odd number, extra students become spotters, never unsupervised trios.

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