UNDER CONSTRUCTION
1. General Aerial Terms
2. Aerial Rigging Terms
3. Bungee Terms
4. Cloud Swing Terms
5. Corde Lisse Terms
6. Cradle Terms
7. Hair Hang Terms
8. Lyra Terms
9. Rebound Strap Terms
10. Russian Swing Terms
11. Shoot-Thru Ladder Terms
12. Silks Terms
13. Spanish Web Terms
14. General Trapeze Terms
14.1. Static Trapeze Terms
14.2. Swinging Trapeze Terms
14.3. Flying Trapeze Terms
14.4 French Trapeze Terms
14.5 Multiple Trapeze Terms
14.6 Washington Trapeze Terms
15. Wire (Harness) Terms
1. General Aerial Terms
Aerial, the (noun) [Aerials]
A term that refers to circus acts that are performed in the air, on a suspended apparatus such as a trapeze, a lyra/hoop, rope, cloudswing or aerial fabrics.
American Riding Machine,
the (noun) [Aerials]
See: Mechanic
Tab,
the (noun) [Aerials]
The place where the
metal apparatus is attached to the rigging.
For example, a Lyra may have one or two tabs and a single trapeze will
have two tabs.
2. Aerial Rigging Terms
Carabineer,
the (noun) [Aerials]
A piece of rigging
equipment used to link things together. Carabineer look like a large link of
chain, with a latch that opens and closes to allow for easy linking. Carabineers
come in a variety of materials, shapes, sizes and load capabilities.
Cradle,
the (noun) [Aerials]
An aerial apparatus
that resembles a large rectangular frame. The frame can be fixed (static or
freestanding) or swinging. A
performer generally hangs by their knees and performs throws and catches with a
flyer. Cradles are used in a number
of aerial acts, including flying trapeze and low casting.
Lunge Rope,
the (noun) [Aerials]
The safety rope held
by a person outside the ring which is threaded through a pulley above the ring
and attached to the mechanic of the aerial performer. The Lunge rope is kept
taut without impeding the flier’s movement.
A lunge rope is generally used to assist the performer with learning a
new or dangerous skill. When the performer is more confident with the skill a
single line can be attached instead of double lines.
3. Bungee Terms
4. Cloud Swing Terms
5. Corde Lisse Terms
6. Cradle Terms
Casting Cradle,
the (noun) [Aerials]
Casting Cradle is an
act where the catcher hangs by their knees from a cradle, while the flyer swings
holding on to the catcher’s hands. The flyer performs releases at the top of
the swing and is re-caught in mid air. The flyer usually starts and end standing
on the frame above the catcher.
7. Hair Hang Terms
8. Lyra Terms
Aerial hoop,
the (noun) [Aerials]
Aerial Hoop, also
known as "Circeaux" and "Lyra", is a steel apparatus that
looks like a suspended hula-hoop. Aerial hoops are usually available in single
tab and double tab configurations. An aerial hoop may also have options such as
a bar across the top and/or a hand or foot loop. The act itself usually combines
static and swinging trapeze skills with held poses and postures as well as
various spinning skills.
Cerceaux,
the (noun) [Aerials]
See "Aerial
Hoop"
9. Rebound Strap Terms
10. Russian Swing Terms
11. Shoot-Thru Ladder Terms
12. Silks Terms
Tissu,
the (noun) [Aerials]
See: "Aerial Silks"
Aerial Silks,
the (noun) [Aerials]
Aerial Silks, also
known as "Tissues" or "Fabrics", is an apparatus consisting
of a long piece of cloth with the center of the cloth suspended from above. The
act itself involves one or more flyers performing held postures, wraps and
drops.
13. Spanish Web Terms
Web, the (noun)
Long ropes (actually cotton-filled fire hose) hung from the top of the tent for aerialists to perform on.
14. General Trapeze Terms
14.1. Static Trapeze Terms
14.2. Swinging Trapeze Terms
14.3. Flying Trapeze Terms
Apron,
the (noun) [Aerials]
The small net placed
at each end of a flying trapeze rig.
14.4 French Trapeze Terms
14.5 Multiple Trapeze Terms
14.6 Washington Trapeze Terms
Washington Trapeze, the (noun)
Washington Trapeze, also known as "Heavy Trapeze", is a variation on static and swinging trapeze. The trapeze bar used for Washington Trapeze is typically much heavier than a normal trapeze bar, and has a small (~4" round) headstand platform on it. Washington Trapeze typically involves all aspects of static and swinging trapeze, with the addition of various headstand skills performed on the bar. The apparatus will often be raised and lowered during the act.
15. Wire (Harness) Terms
Coffin,
the (noun) [Aerials]
A Flying trapeze
trick where the flyer starts in a sitting position on the trapeze and twists
sideways, holding one rope behind their head with both hands. The flier then
brings their legs up and place both feet on the opposite rope, toes facing out.
Next the flyer pushes out in both directions so their body is straight with the
rope to one side of head. The flyer then completes this trick by taking both
hands off and stretching them back over their head
Dislocate,
the (noun) [Aerials]
In men's gymnastics,
a rotating of the shoulders when performing a backwards turn on the still rings
Flier,
the (noun) [Aerials]
The aerial artists
or the top person of a two or more person balance or tempo move.
Flying Trapeze,
the (noun) [Aerials]
An aerial apparatus
involving a flyer (swinging on a flybar) and a catcher (suspended by a static
cradle, swinging cradle or swinging trapeze). The act itself usually involves
all aspects of swinging trapeze, as well as skills revolving around jumping from
trapeze to trapeze, or from trapeze to catcher, and from the catcher back to the
flybar. There can be multiple catchers or flyers. Usually performed over a
safety net.
French Trapeze,
the (noun) [Aerials]
French Trapeze is a
variation on Multiple trapeze where two performers perform combinations of
static trapeze skills as well various partner lifting skills where one performer
holds the other and manipulates them into a variety of positions and poses.
Hair Hang act,
the (noun) [Aerials]
Originally from
South America, this act involves a performer (usually a girl) weaving a hair
hanger into their tightly braided hair, attaching a rope to
the hair hanger, and being lifted into the air.
The performer can then perform a number of spinning motions and
manipulative acts while suspended.
Hand Loop,
the (noun) [Aerials]
A loop of rope used
to support a performer by their wrist, to allow them to hang securely from one
arm. Hand loops are commonly found
on a Spanish Web, Lyra and Cloud Swing. The Keeper is used to tighten the Hand
Loop.
Head Trapeze,
the (noun) [Aerials]
See:
"Washington Trapeze"
Heels-Off,
the (noun) [Aerials]
A Flying trapeze
trick where at the end of the first swing, the flyer brings their knees up
between their arms and puts their heels on the bar, making sure that their hips
are up and they are in a compact position. Then the flyer looks behind them for
the catcher. The catcher calls the “hep”, and the flyer “explodes” out
to the catch.
Inverted Crucifix,
the (noun) [Aerials]
A Flying trapeze
trick where the flyer, from sitting position, places their hands at ear height
on the ropes, then lifts and inverts their body so that bar is behind neck. The
feet are then slid up the inside of the ropes until body is straight.
Iron Jaw,
the (noun) [Aerials]
An aerial act in
which the performers work suspended by a mouth piece clinched behind their
teeth.
Keeper,
the (noun) [Aerials]
Part of the hand or
foot loop that adjusts the loop to fit.
Low Casting,
the (noun) [Aerials]
Low Casting is a
mini flying trapeze rig. The act itself uses various flying and partner trapeze
skills.
Meathook,
the (noun) [Aerials]
This flying trapeze
trick is another one-armed hang. The flier starts from under the bar in a
straddle, keeping their legs together. The fliers hips go up and over the elbow
of one arm, pointing feet diagonally towards floor, then takes the other arm off
bar and points towards their feet.
Neck Loop,
the (noun) [Aerials]
A loop of rope used
to allow a performer to hang from their neck. Similar to a hand or foot loop,
but often including extra padding for comfort. The loop rests at the nape of the
neck and the keeper is adjusted to the bridge of the nose, allowing the
performer to spin rapidly in the air. A double neck loop can be attached between
a catcher and a flyer to perform a spectacular double neck spin during an aerial
act.
Rig,
to (verb) [Aerials]
The act of putting
up aerial rigging.
Russian Swing,
the (noun) [Aerials]
Russian Swing is an
aerial apparatus most closely resembling a large playground swing. The seat is
replaced by a platform (usually about 4'x6') and four solid arms replace the
chains of the playground swing. The swing hangs from a frame very much
resembling a traditional double A-frame swing set frame. The Russian Swing has
the ability to catapult a performer over 30 feet in the air. The act itself is
most closely related to the teeterboard (aka Korean Plank), with the flyers
performing somersaults, twists and other aerial acrobatics before landing on
crash mats, nets or other such landing areas.
Safety Ratio,
the (noun) [Aerials]
A safety ratio can
be calculated using either the equipments normal load (more common), or its
potential shock load (less common). When using a normal load, the safety ratio
is the ratio between the normal expected load of the equipment, and the breaking
point of the weakest point of the rigging. When using the shock load, the safety
ratio is the ratio between the largest shock load a rig is expected to take, and
the breaking point of the weakest point of the rigging.
Shoot-Through Ladder,
the (noun) [Aerials]
Shoot-Through Ladder
is a custom built aerial apparatus resembling a metal ladder revolving around a
central axle. On one half of the ladder the rungs have been replaced with a
trapeze. The act itself involves one flyer balancing the ladder, while a second
performer does static or swinging trapeze skills on the attached trapeze bar.
The name "Shoot-Through Ladder" comes from the ability of the trapeze
flyer to swing or shoot through the ladder.
Static Trapeze,
the (noun) [Aerials]
Static Trapeze is a
trapeze that is not used for swinging. Static Trapeze is usually 6 feet or more
off the ground. The act itself most commonly involves poses, hangs, drops and
rope skills.
Straps,
the (noun) [Aerials]
An aerial apparatus
consisting of two narrow bands made of close-woven material fastened to the
truss. By wrapping the strap ends around hands and wrists, the performer
performs holds, twists, rolls and maneuvers, requiring extreme strength and
precise
Swinging Double Trapeze,
the (noun) [Aerials]
A variation in the
Double Trapeze where the performers are swinging.
Compare to: "Double Trapeze"
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