What is Sports Acrobatics?

History

The roots of Sports Acrobatics date back to the time of the ancient Greeks. The word "acrobatics" is derived from a word in the Greek language meaning "to elevate." This derivation is significant, since Sports Acrobatics combines the aspects of lifting and balancing and the high flight of partner tosses and tumbling passes. Modern Sports Acrobatics began in Russia with the formation of the International Federation of Sports Acrobatics (IFSA). This exciting sport has been competed actively in Europe since the 1930’s and in Ireland since 1972and quite naturally spread throughout Asia and then to the Western Hemisphere.

In January 1999, IFSA merged into FIG (federation of international gymnastics) and became part of FIG. The sports will now be goverened by the FIG council, which will have IFSA delegates on it. The main perpose of this merger was to unite all gymnastics disciplines and to introduce Sports Acrobatics to the Olympics Games. Sports Acrobatics is now set to display in Sydney 2000 games and compete in the 2008 games, which as yet has no venue, but we speculate winnipeg or osaka.

Pair & Group:

The five pair/group events are choreographed to music and consist of dance, tumbling and partner skills. The partner skills are divided into two categories - balance and tempo. Tempo skills all incorporate flight, such as when the base partner tosses the top for double saltos. Balance skills are static holds with the base partner supporting the top.

In the pair/group events teamwork is paramount. For success and safety, the partners must work in complete cooperation. The element of trust is developed as partners learn to work closely together to perform skills of grace and daring. This interdependence is never more evident than the complete concentration the base partners demonstrate as they throw their tops in a high tempo skill, determined to make a safe catch. Trust is also evident as partners build intricate pyramids with tops delicately balanced above the reliable bases - living examples of strength and flexibility.

Tumbling:

Tumbling was an event fetured in Sports Acrobatics, but since January 1st 1999, this has become a member of the FIT (federation of international trampolining). We will no longer see this event at competion level at our World / European Championships. However, Irish Sports Acrobatics will continue to run this event as it has gained much expierience.

Benefits:

Sports Acrobatics in many clubs is begun with basic gymnastics. The gymnast will first learn the art of balance, flexability, and tumbling. The gymnast will be brought through a general gymnastics introduction and will be able to tumble and balance in inverted stands before involving the art of acro. Due to this fact, many sports acrobats first begin by entering general gymnatics competions.

Once the acrobat is proficient with stands, tumbles, tempo, aerial awarness, they will move on to be either base or top, depending on size, weight and strenght.

The best thing about acrobatics is that once an acrobats career finishes as a top, they move on to become bases or middles. Due to this fact, we see our acrobats between the ages of 8 and 30 yrs. As a result of our gymnasts staying with the sport much longer, they become experts at the sport and therefore we have inbred coaches.

How to get involved:

To get involved in Ireland, please feel free to contact us for a local club:

email us at: irishacro@eircom.net