Level Requirements by Apparatus

Please note:
All routines must start and end on the floor. Two rows of panel mats will be used to cover the floor space underneath each apparatus, crash mats are available but not required. To see how each apparatus is rigged, please visit our Rigging Information Page

How Do You Decide Which Tier?

COMPETITIVE

for performers who may practice 1-2 hours of aerial per week
for performers who may be new to the apparatus
for performers who may be new to performing and competing.

ADVANCED

for performers who may practice 2-3 hours of aerial per week
for performers who have some experience with the apparatus
for performers who have some performing or competition experience

ELITE

for performers who may practice 3-4 hours of aerial per week
for performers who are quite experienced with the apparatus
for performers who have several years of performing or competition experience

PRE-PRO

for performers who may practice 5+ hours of aerial per week
for performers who are very experience with the apparatus
for performers who have several years of performing or competition experience
for performers who have placed in Elite and who like to advance to Pre-Pro level (recommended but not required)

**PRE-PRO tier is not available for Specialty category**

Routines containing a combination of levels such as, Duets, Trios, and Groups Acts should be entered in the level in which the majority of the aerialist fall.

We expect all studio owners and directors to give honest level placement for all performers and groups. Routines that are visibly under-placed will be moved to the appropriate category by the judges. All decisions are final.

Sling

Competitive

Inversions not required, inversions from sitting/floor permitted.
Standing in the sling permitted.
Slack drops and bomb drops permitted.
Single rotation drops permitted.
No inverting from a standing position in the sling.
No double drops permitted.
No ankle hangs permitted.
No belay/neck hangs permitted.
Spin not required.

Advanced

Straight leg inversion from the floor expected.
Standing in the hammock or at a similar height is required.
A minimum of 2 different mounts required.
Must display 1-2 different kinds of flexibility moves.
Must display 1-2 power or strength moves.
Minimum 1 drops required.
Double rotation drops/stacked permitted, but not required.
Ankle hangs permitted.
Spin utilization during performance required.

Elite

Minimum 2 different mounts required.
Minimum 1-2 aerial inversions required. (Straight leg inversion required)
Must display a minimum 3 different kinds of flexibility moves.
Must display a minimum 3 power or strength moves.
Minimum 2 drops required.
Different drop families required, multiple rotations permitted
Open catches & release moves are not allowed in Elite.
High level of showmanship expected.
Spin utilization during performance required.

(a crash mat is required for this level)

Pre-Pro

Minimum 3 different mounts required.
Minimum 3 aerial inversions required. (Straight leg inversion required)
Must display a minimum 4 different kinds of flexibility moves.
Must display a minimum 4 power or strength moves.
Minimum 3 drops required.
Different drop families required, multiple rotations required.
High level of showmanship and stage presence required.
High expectation of a strong character development and story evolution throughout
Must demonstrate proper technique with spinning (High level of spin utilization during performance is expected)

(a crash mat is required for this level)

Silks

Competitive

Expected to perform bulk of routine in lower-mid silk range.
Inversions not required but permitted..
Foot lock skill required.
Inversion from the floor permitted or with assisted wraps.
No double drops permitted.
No ankle hangs permitted.
No belay or neck hangs permitted.
Spin not required.

Advanced

Minimum 1 inversion from the air required.
Foot lock skill required.
Minimum 1 drop required.
A minimum of 2 different types of climbs required.
Slack drops and bomb drops are permitted.
Ankle hangs permitted.
Single rotation drops permitted. (No more than 450 degree rotation.)
No open drops or release moves permitted
No double drops permitted.
Spin utilization during performance required.

Elite

Minimum 2 straight leg aerial inversions required. (With no assistance from wrap.)
Minimum 2 drops required. (Different drop families are encouraged)
Double drops permitted, but not required.
Must display at least 2 flexibility moves.
Must display at least 1 power or strength moves.
Must display a variety of climbs
High level of showmanship expected.
No open drops & release moves are permitted in Elite
Spin utilization during performance required.

(a crash mat is required for this level)

Pre-Pro:

Minimum 3 straight leg aerial inversions required. (With no assistance from wrap.)
Minimum 2 drops required. (Different drop families are required)
1 Double drop required.
Open drops / release moves are permitted.
Must display at least 3 flexibility moves.
Must display at least 2 power or strength moves.
Must display a creative and wide variety of different climbs
Expected to use full silk. (Floor to approx. 18-20’)
High level of showmanship and stage presence required.
Strong character development, clear emotion and story evolution throughout required
Must demonstrate proper technique with spinning (High level of spin utilization during performance is expected)

(a crash mat is required for this level)

Lyra Solo & Duets

Competitive

May utilize the span set.
May go to the top of the hoop - however not level required.
Must demonstrate proper technique in mounting and executing moves both in the hoop and under it.
No drops permitted.
Spin not required.

Advanced

Minimum 1 inversion required.
May perform basic hip drops from top bar and ankle hangs
Drops not required for level.
May utilize the top of the hoop and span set.
Must display at least 2 flexibility move.
Must display at least 1 power or strength move.
Must demonstrate proper technique in mounting and executing moves under, in, and on top of the hoop.
No open drops or release moves permitted
Spin utilization during performance required.

Elite

Minimum 2 inversions required, must invert to the top of the hoop at least once.
Minimum 1 drop required.
Must utilize the full hoop and span set.
Must display at least 3 flexibility moves.
Must display 2 power or strength moves.
Must demonstrate high level of proper technique in mounting and executing moves under, in, and on top of the hoop.
No open drops, and full release moves are permitted.
High level of showmanship expected.
Spin utilization during performance required.

(a crash mat is required for this level)

Pre-Pro:

Minimum 2 inversions required, must invert to the top of the hoop at least once, and straight legs required for straddle inv.
Minimum 2 drop required.
Must utilize the full hoop and span set.
Must display at least 4 flexibility moves.
Must display 3 power or strength moves.
Must demonstrate high level of proper technique in mounting and executing moves under, in, and on top of the hoop.
Open drops, and full release moves are permitted
High level of showmanship and stage presence required.
Strong character development, clear emotion and story evolution throughout required
Must demonstrate proper technique with spinning (High level of spin utilization during performance is expected)

(a crash mat is required for this level)

Specialty & Duets/Groups

Competitive

Must demonstrate proper technique in mounting and executing moves both in, on and under apparatus.
Inversions not required but permitted
No drops permitted.
No ankle hangs permitted.
No belay or neck hangs permitted.
Spin not required.

Advanced

Straight Leg Inversion from the floor required.
Minimum of 1 drop required
Must display 1-2 different kinds of flexibility moves.
Must display 1-2 power or strength moves.
Double drops permitted.
Ankle hangs permitted
No open drops or release moves permitted
Spin utilization during performance required..

Elite

Minimum 2 drop required.
Must show balanced use of the full apparatus
Must display at least 3 flexibility moves.
Must display 2 power or strength moves.
Must demonstrate high level of proper technique in mounting and executing moves under, in, and on top of the hoop.
Open drops, and full release moves are permitted.
High level of showmanship expected.
Spin utilization during performance required.

(a crash mat is required for this level)