How to Do a Side Aerial

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How to Do a Side Aerial

This is a how-to on how to do a side aerial, which is a no handed cartwheel. Be careful, and I'm not responsible for any injuries.

Carly Dick

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Step 1 of 10

This is your aerial prep for a left aerial. Hop on your weaker leg, and swing your arms up above your head.

Step 2 of 10

The next step is a transition step, and you do not hold it. The photo looks funny, but in real time, it takes about half a second to do :p

Step 3 of 10

From your prep, step onto your other leg. You want your shoulders up, your bottom leg bent. Fling your free leg over your head as fast as possible while jumping off of your bent leg.

Step 4 of 10

In an aerial, you're actually pivoting around your shoulders, not your hips. Because I kept my shoulders up, my head is about 2-3 feet above the ground. Continuing on next page...

Step 5 of 10

From here, bring your first leg down quickly. Personally, I think about bringing my hip and making it meet my ribs. Land on a bent leg to absorb shock and save your knees for the rest of your life :p

Step 6 of 10

As with your takeoff, your shoulders will swivel in your landing. Land on a bent leg, and let your second leg pull your torso to a standing position.

Step 7 of 10

The next few videos are just a few different ways on working up to an aerial. In this one, you put your hands down and halfway through take them off. This works on your landing.

Step 8 of 10

This way is called a dive cartwheel, and you are trying to keep your hands off the ground for as long as possible.

Step 9 of 10

After you've gotten some practice, work on keeping your hands off during the whole aerial! All it takes is height in your aerial and self discipline.

Step 10 of 10

Once you have mastered your aerial from a run, try going from a standstill :) good luck guys! Be careful!

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Carly Dick

BC, Canada

I'm a dancer and acrobat - artsy, 18. I love books and music :) If you're attempting my acro guides, I'm not responsible for any injuries incurred. Be careful!

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This trick can take years to master, so don't give up if it takes awhile. Without seeing you do it in person I can't really tell you what you're doing wrong, but I can give a couple of general tips: concentrate on traveling your Ariel up, not horizontally (this will give you more air time to get your legs around); focus on getting your feet around as fast as you physically can, and jump high. If you know anyone who might know something about these, ask them to watch yours to give you pointers. I'm really sorry I can't do much to help you! :( keep practicing!

Carly Dick (author) last week

Every time I try to do this I end up putting my hands down!!! Help

Madison :) 2 weeks ago

Cool!!!:)

Shaela W last month

I've done gymnastics over the years, but I mostly say I'm an acrobat and dancer

Carly Dick (author) last month

Are you a gymnast?

Shaela W last month

Probably... I'd mostly be afraid of hitting things personally. But if it's the space you have, clear/push as much stuff out of the way and try... You probably won't have the space to really run though

Carly Dick (author) 9 months ago

How much space do you need to do this? I can do a cartwheel in my living room do you need more than that

Maycee Wilson 9 months ago

Mostly leg strength, mind over matter, and PERSEVERANCE :) I got mine my first time, and it took me another year to get it again... But I never stopped trying! It's really hard to tell yourself not to put your hand down while upside down, and it's even harder to physically force yourself not to. That's why the last two are so important. Also, don't be deathly afraid of it. Be cautious of course, but not afraid. Fear will hold you back a lot more than your body ever will!

Carly Dick (author) 9 months ago

Well it was a first for me, I've never heard or seen that one before

Carly Dick (author) 10 months ago

You know even if this girl (I hope she's alright) popped her shoulder I am still gonna try it that looks awesome I've just gotten able to do a one handed cartwheel!

Maycee Wilson 10 months ago

I am so sorry 

Carly Dick (author) 11 months ago

Yep i landed on my shoulder

Melanie  11 months ago

From this?

Carly Dick (author) 11 months ago

Just got back from hospital today (poped my shoulder)

Melanie  11 months ago

No prob Emily, I hope it helps you!

Carly Dick (author) 11 months ago

Breathe, believe and you will achieve :)

Carly Dick (author) 11 months ago

Ok thank u! :)

🍉ℰㅆⅈℒყ ㄥð۷ⅇṩƬơÐᵃɳ€ع💃 11 months ago

You don't need flexibility, aerials are power tricks

Carly Dick (author) 11 months ago

During your prep focus on something shoulder height and look at it for as long as possible. Really push off of your bottom foot to get height.

Carly Dick (author) 11 months ago

Okk :)

🍉ℰㅆⅈℒყ ㄥð۷ⅇṩƬơÐᵃɳ€ع💃 11 months ago

So when i do it how can i get my self higher because sometimes when i do it i almost land on my face.

🍉ℰㅆⅈℒყ ㄥð۷ⅇṩƬơÐᵃɳ€ع💃 11 months ago

I never learnt on a trampoline, but it probably would be a good way to get used to going over. But when you transfer to the ground, it'll be a lot harder because you will be used to the trampoline providing for your momentum and height, instead of your body.

Carly Dick (author) 11 months ago

No problem Emily!

Carly Dick (author) 11 months ago

It took me a few months to get these, and then for about six months after that, I couldn't do them again... They're finicky, that's for sure. But once you get them, do them over and over to build muscle memory! I've had mine for a couple of years now and I very rarely put my hands down.

Carly Dick (author) 11 months ago