A while back, I ran a poll on Instagram and 88% of aerialists said they prefer the Russian Climb over the Classic Climb (aka French). If you're one of them, you're in for a treat!
This week’s tip builds on the Russian Climb with some added flair – I call it the Can-Can Climb. It’s a creative variation that adds variety to your climbing techniques.
I consider this an intermediate-level climb. It’s not only a great variation, it also serves as a pathway into additional shapes, skills, and even spins. To set yourself up for success, I suggest warming up your hamstrings and practicing active strength with your leg lifted to the front.
🎥 Click below for the step-by-step breakdown, warm-up tips and a few common mistakes to watch out for:
Step-by-Step Breakdown
Step 1: Start in a Russian Climb
Arms reach high and release your feet.
One leg lifts up in front of you as if prepping for a Russian climb.
Step 2: Scoop the Tail
Use your opposite leg to scoop the tail up aiming to place it on your knee or above.
Make a wide rainbow motion from out to in with the scooping leg.
This motion places the tail to the outside of your lifted leg and positions it near your hip.
Step 3: Sit & Stand
After scooping, sit gently onto your heel.
Engage your standing leg to push up and stand.
Reach your arms high to prep for the next climb.
Step 4: Repeat
Continue the rhythm: scoop, sit, stand.
Once you're comfortable, aim to blend the movements into one smooth action.
💡 Pro Tips
Think of the scooping leg drawing a circular pathway, helping the tail land higher on your leg.
While it could be possible to do this starting from a bent arm position, I find the straight arm position to be more fluid.
Aim for precision over speed at first – the fluidity comes with practice!
🚫 Common Mistakes
❌ Tail wraps too low (near the ankle). When the tail wraps around your ankle, it’s much harder to stand fully or get the wrap up to your hip where it belongs.
✅ Fix: Aim to scoop the tail so it wraps around your knee or higher. This gives you a better starting point and makes standing up much easier.
❌ Kicking the leg straight forward instead of circling. Lifting the leg directly forward often results in a loose or ineffective wrap, making the climb feel awkward or stuck.
✅ Fix: Use a circular motion from out to in with your scooping leg. This helps the tail wrap securely and land in the right spot.
❌ Skipping the warm-up. Tight hamstrings and a lack of active flxibility training can make it tough to lift and scoop your leg properly.
✅ Fix: Warm up with 10 leg kicks and 10 leg circles per side.Then work your active flexibility by sitting tall, extending one leg out in front, and grabbing your ankle. Release your hands and aim to hold your leg in place for a count of 10. This strengthens your ability to lift and control your leg in the climb.
P.S. Interested in taking your aerial practice to the next level and learning how to confidently guide others? Click here to learn more about our teacher training program!