Front aerial facts for kids

A front aerial, performed as part of an acro dance routine

A front aerial is an exciting acrobatic move. It looks like a front walkover, but without your hands touching the ground! Imagine doing a complete forward flip in the air. This move is popular in activities like acro dance and gymnastics. You might also hear it called an aerial walkover or front flip.

What is a Front Aerial?

A front aerial is a cool trick where you rotate your body forward in the air. You start standing or running, then push off the ground. Your body goes all the way over, landing back on your feet. The key is to keep your legs mostly straight and split apart. This is different from other flips where you might tuck your knees.

How is a Front Aerial Different?

You might confuse a front aerial with a front tuck. In a front tuck, you bend your knees and pull them close to your chest. This helps you spin faster. But in a front aerial, your legs stay long and open. They look like they are doing a big split in the air. Because your legs are straight, you don't spin as fast. So, you use the swing of your legs to stay in the air longer. This helps you complete the full rotation before landing.

Getting Ready for a Front Aerial

You can start a front aerial in two ways. Some people take a running start. This builds up speed. Others start from a standing position. They usually take one big step forward first. This step helps them get moving. No matter how you start, your forward movement turns into a spinning motion. This spinning motion is what lifts you into the air and helps you flip over.

Skills You Need for a Front Aerial

Performing a front aerial takes practice and certain physical abilities. It's a challenging move that shows off your strength and flexibility.

Flexibility and Strength

One important skill is having a very flexible lower back. From the moment you leave the ground until you land, your upper body stays upside down. Meanwhile, your lower body rotates around it. This requires a lot of bendiness in your back.

You also need strong muscles. Your calf muscle in your front leg is super important. It gives you an extra push upwards right before you leave the ground. This push must be strong enough. It needs to keep you floating in the air long enough for your legs to complete their spin.

See Also

• Aerial cartwheel (also known as a side aerial)