Cross Back Straddle is a foundational skill in aerial silks, but inverting with foot locks on can be a challenge for many aerialists. Tight hamstrings, limited hip mobility, lower back tightness and other factors, can make opening to a straddle, pulling up and pressing forward feel tricky.
Inverting without foot locks and using egg beater wraps (also known as dance wraps) is often more manageable, as it reduces the tension and pull from the foot locks, making the inversion easier.
While practicing the traditional Cross Back Straddle with foot locks is valuable, it’s always helpful to explore alternative pathways to achieve a similar shape.
In this technique tip, I’m sharing three of my favorite pathways to Cross Back Straddle without foot locks, designed to suit a range of levels—from beginner/intermediate-friendly to more advanced!
See below for a video and additional tips! ⬇
Pathway One: Knee Tangle Entry - Beg/Int
Begin from egg beater wraps.
Reach one arm through the middle of the silks while the opposite hand holds for stability (you can hold both hands on one side if one hand feels insecure).
Lift your heels up, turn upward and bend your knees to create a knee tangle.
With your free arm, perform a flamenco grip on the silk closest to you.
Pass your opposite arm under and arrive in a 'perch' position.
Reach the same hand across to grab the silk, pull up, lengthen your legs, and invert into Cross Back Straddle.
Helpful Tip: It's easy to mix up your hand placement in this sequence. Practice low to the ground to ensure safety and build confidence.
Pathway Two: Hip Key Entry - Intermediate
Begin with a hip key on one silk.
Toss the free silk over your top leg.
Sit up with your chest lifted and grab the poles, one in each hand.
The top leg in the hip key (left leg in the video) drops the tail off, extends behind, and then threads between the tails.
Straddle as you lift your legs high to the side, ensuring the X forms above your lower back.
Egg beat your legs around the tails and invert to complete the entry.
Helpful Tip: The leg lift to the side is likely the most difficult part. It's helpful to warm-up with side leg kicks to help with the range of motion needed. Also lengthening your arms as you lift your legs to the side can help the X arrive in the correct place.
Pathway Three: Flamenco Grip Entry - Intermediate
Begin by practicing this pathway on the ground to familiarize yourself with the movement.
Squeeze your feet together while passing your shoulders between the silks.
With your right hand, reach around and behind the right pole, using a flamenco grip on the left silk.
With your left hand, grab overhead and use a flamenco grip on the right silk
The backs of your hands should face each other.
Pull the silks apart, then pull them down as you pull-up to pass your shoulders through.
Invert into a straddle to complete the movement.
To Exit: When you're ready to exit any of these pathways, simply grab the silk closest to your back for a smooth and seamless exit. You'll still have Egg Beaters on so you can continue into another skill if you choose!
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