Beginner Acro

Typical Age Range: 4–8 years (or older with no prior acro experience)

Focus: Body awareness, strength, flexibility, and introductory acro skills.

Must-Have Skills to Enter:

• Willingness to try new skills safely

• Basic coordination and body control

• Skills Taught:

• Forward roll / Backward roll

• Bridge from floor

• Pre-cartwheel drills

• Handstand prep (donkey kicks)

• Crab walks / Bear crawls

• Conditioning & Flexibility Goals:

• Hold a bridge for 5 seconds

• Basic pike and straddle stretch

• Core/arm strength for body support

• Progression Criteria to Next Level:

• Cartwheel (both sides)

• Handstand hold (5 sec on wall)

• Bridge from standing (optional)

• Flexibility in splits and shoulders
  
  Intermediate Acro

• Typical Age Range: 7+ with prior experience

• Focus: Strength, control, combining skills

• Must-Have Skills to Enter:

• Cartwheel on both sides

• Handstand hold (3+ sec)

• Bridge from floor with straight arms

• Skills Taught:

• Front/Back walkover

• Bridge kickover

• Handstand to bridge

• Dive/One-arm cartwheels

• Elbow stands, Chest stands

• Conditioning & Flexibility Goals:

• Strong splits

• Back/shoulder flexibility

• Core strength: V-ups, planks

• Leg strength

• Progression Criteria to Next Level:

• Controlled walkovers

• Bridge kickover + stand

• Handstand hold (5 sec)

• Aerial prep with power

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Advanced Acro

Typical Age Range: 10+ with strong acro foundation

Focus: Power tricks, transitions, performance

• Must-Have Skills to Enter:

• Front/Back walkover with control

• Handstand hold (5+ sec)

• Strong aerial prep

• Skills Taught:

• Side/Front aerial

• Back handspring

• Valdez

• Contortion-based tricks

• Handstand press, Tumbling passes

• Conditioning & Flexibility Goals:

• Oversplits

• Bridge kickover to stand

• Press handstand work

• Plyometric strength

• Progression Criteria to Next Level:

• Trick combinations

• Seamless transitions

• Choreographed acro integration

General Progression Tips

• Students are assessed throughout the year.

• Progression is based on skill mastery, not age.

• Cross-training helps (yoga, ballet, technique, strength and conditioning classes).

Students must demonstrate control, form, and confidence before advancing.

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