THE GREAT ALL-AMERICAN YOUTH

2020-2021 Circus Class Pre-Requisites Guide

Expectations:  All strength/skills must be performed with proper form  You must be able to perform each strength/skill without help  If you fail to keep proper form during a strength/skill – it will not be counted

Non-Evaluation Classes

Mini Acro (class max: 10 per level) Level I Group: 3-4 years of age Must be potty-trained Parent participation is required in this class

Level II Group: 5-6 years of age Must be potty-trained Able to support own body weight on hands Comfortable with having parents out of the room

Balloon Art (class max: 20) Minimum age 9 Must be able to tie a knot in an inflated balloon without assistance *Will perform as part of Intermission and PreShow

Beginning Unicycle (class max: 15) Ages 7-21 Must wear close-toed shoes to class Must purchase own unicycle by January 1st

Circus Essentials (class max: 20) Class includes beginning levels of , Flexibility, Tumbling, & Mini Tramp. Minimum age 7

Juggling Club (class max: 20) This class provides a place for Jugglers at any skill level to attend and practice together. This class will perform in show. Minimum age 8

Beginning Wire (class max: 15) Ages 6-21

Foundations for Trainers (class max: 16) Minimum age 14 A strong desire to be a technique-based Head Trainer or Assistant Trainer Willingness to participate fully in all aspects of class **Director will look to this class when looking for future Trainers!

Updated: 9/29/2020 Beginning Level Ground Acts

Beginning Adagio (class max: 16) Adagio is the performance of partner balance poses and associated movements that involve stationary balances by a pair of performers. Minimum age 7 Previous Circus Essentials or Acro experience preferred It is required to come to evaluations and register into class with a partner Strength Requirements 15 v-ups 15 push-ups 15 second hollow body 15 second bird position on floor Skill/Trick Requirements Top & Base: Perform a 20 second, deep squat, totem position (top standing on upper thighs) Perform a candlestick with proper form Perform an overhead bird with proper form

Beginning (class max: 10 pairs) Minimum age 8 Must have 1 yr previous experience in Circus Essentials or Acro It is required to come to evaluations and register into class with a partner Strength: 10 V-ups 20 second hollow body hold 20 second plank hold Tricks/Skills: Foot bird with proper form Back bird on feet with proper form Demonstrate 10 tacky chair push-ups with proper form

Beginning/Intermediate Handbalancing (class max: 12) Minimum age 12 1 yr. previous Circus experience 25 push ups 25 V-ups 30 second hollow body hold 30 second plank 1 good split Straddle wider than 90’ Hold a good bridge for 15 seconds One 30 second handstand (off the wall) 3 consistent 10 second handstands (off the wall) 15 second croc/plange

Updated: 9/29/2020 Beginning/Intermediate (class max: 16) Minimum age 9 Must be willing to learn to hit and spot as able Must be comfortable working on a timer board Must be comfortable with working in a belt Strength: 5 push ups 10 v-ups 10 squats Trick/Skills: Off the teeterboard, must show good form, control, and strength with basic jump

Intermediate Level Ground Acts

Chinese Pole (class max: 12) Minimum age 10 MUST bring shoes to evaluate Must be comfortable with heights up to 20ft Able to perform 3 pull ups on a bar w/o help Able to perform 2 consecutive climbs on pole Able to perform 1 monkey climb on pole Able to perform the following (in order & hold for 8 counts): *sit *1 leg sit *side flag

Intermediate Stilts (class max 15): Minimum age 9 Comfortable with heights up to 10’ Must wear closed-toed shoes in class at all times Must purchase own set of Stilts by show-time in May Able to put on Stilts in less than 3 minutes Comfortable walking forwards, sideways and backwards Able to perform 3 tricks given to you by the Trainer at evaluation

Intermediate (class max: 20) Minimum age 8 1 yr. previous Circus experience preferred Must be self-motivated to work Toss & catch the Diabolo 3 consecutive times @ heights up to 6’ w/o dropping Able to spin the Diabolo for 2 mins. without dropping

Updated: 9/29/2020 Advanced Level Ground Acts

Advanced Diabolo (class max: 20) Minimum age 8 1 yr. previous Circus experience preferred Must be self-motivated to work Toss & catch the Diabolo 3 consecutive times @ heights up to 6’ w/o moving feet Magic knot Double 3 suns Any of the following tricks (suicidal bridge, suicidal sun, infinite suicide, etc.) Any advanced trick (around a body part, waltz, hurricane, etc.

Advanced Risley (class max 10 pairs) Minimum age 10 It is required to come to evaluations and register into class with a partner Strength: 3 side star presses **(no hand connection, flyer hand on bases leg is ok) (forward facing inside star) 5 bird presses (no hand connection) 15 second headstand 10 push-ups 15 low boat leg lifts Tricks/Skills:  Hands-free side star on both sides **(flyer hand on bases leg is ok) (forward facing inside side star, reverse inside side star, forward facing outside side star, and reverse outside side star)  Reverse star **(must be able to jump into – no hand connection, flyer hand on bases leg is ok)  Hands-free star **(AKA shoulder stand) (no hand connection, using hands to get into it is ok)  10 second low foot to hand hold **(flyer facing both directions, flyer cannot hold bases feet)  Extended foot to hand **(can box up into)  Foot to hand transition to bird **(flyer cannot use hands)  No-hands back straddle **(entrance from standing, no hand connection)

Advanced Unicycle (class max: 20) Minimum age 10 Minimum 1-2 yrs Intermediate Unicycle experience Figure 8 backwards Comfortable turning backwards Perform 1 specialty mount (riders choice) Comfortable moving forward & backward on a giraffe unicycle Perform 90* turns forwards and backwards Hover 360* Perform running mounts in controlled manner

Updated: 9/29/2020 Advanced Teeterboard (class max: 12-16) Minimum age 10 Must have at least 2 years of Teeterboard experience -Priority will be given to performers committed to the act in previous years Must be willing to hit, spot, catch and fly Must be willing to work on new tricks, both in belts and on the timer board Must demonstrate a back flip in a spotting belt with good form, control, and landing

Elite Handbalancing (class max: 15) Minimum age 10 1 year previous experience Intermediate/Advanced Handbalancing 3 consistent 30 second hand stands off the wall Hold a 1 minute handstand off the wall Able to change leg positions while upside down w/ control Able to balance on various equipment of differing heights w/ control Straddle press to handstand (girls) Must be able to balance on a partner (girls) Must be able to base other balancers w/ control (guys)

Advanced Adagio (class max: 16) Adagio is the performance of partner balance poses and associated movements that involve stationary balances by a pair of performers. (It is expected that you have already learned these skills. They will not be taught during evaluations) Minimum age 9 It is required to come to evaluations and register into class with a partner 1 yr previous Circus experience (Acro, Tumbling, or Aerial) *Hand to hand experience preferred Tops: 3 consecutive handstand, straddle up, forward rolls Top/Base: Overhead bird Pop up 2 foot landing, Y scale & dismount Overhead star Strength requirements: 35 V-ups 20 push-ups 40 second hollow body hold

Updated: 9/29/2020 Beginning Level Aerial Acts

Beginning Hammock (class max: 8): Ages 10-18 1 prior year of aerial experience preferred Able to learn choreography 10 scissors 3 pull-ups 20 v-ups One good split Hold a good bridge for 15 seconds

Beginning Teardrops (class max: 8) Ages 7-14 Must be comfortable w/ heights up to 12ft 1 Pull up 1 Tuck up 1 Straddle up 5 Scissors

Swinging Ladders (class max: 16) Ages 7-12 *Hang from hands for 15 seconds Comfortable with heights up to 15ft Comfortable with swinging upside down

Beginning/Intermediate Lyra (class max: 8) Ages 10-21 1 year beginning level aerial experience preferred Must be comfortable with heights up to 25' Must be comfortable with spinning Must be able to listen, take direction, and maintain good behavior during class Must be courteous and respectful to Trainers & other participants 2 pull-ups 30 second dead hang 2 ins and outs 1 straddle-up Close to having right, left or center split

Updated: 9/29/2020 Intermediate Level Aerial Acts

Intermediate Aerial Chair (class max: 8): Ages 12-21 3 pull-ups 30 second hang from hands 3 straddle overs 5 scissors 2 pull-overs Right AND left split Demonstrate a good bridge

Intermediate Aerial Cube (class max: 8) Minimum age 14 1 year intermediate aerial experience 3 pull-ups 3 ins and outs 2 pull-overs 3 toe touches

Intermediate Aerial Rings (class max: 8) Minimum age 10 1 year intermediate aerial experience 3 pull ups 3 tuck ups Hang from hands for 30 seconds Beat into an inverted pike position Close to having R or L split Able to go from hanging to sitting position with ease

Advanced Level Aerial Acts

Advanced Hammock (class max: 8) Minimum age 12 1-2 years of Intermediate Aerial experience Must be comfortable with spinning Must be comfortable with heights up to 20ft 4 pull ups 5 beats to straddle 4 toe touches 4 pull-overs Must be able to sit in hammock with ease Hold a good bridge for 10 seconds Must have left OR right split

Updated: 9/29/2020 Advanced Triple (class max: 8) Minimum age 12 1 yr. Intermediate aerial experience required Must have good body awareness when in the air and upside down Must be able to listen, take direction, and maintain good behavior during class Must be courteous and respectful to Trainers & other participants 4 pull ups 3 ins and outs 3 toe touches 10 scissors 2 pull overs Perform a tuck-up from standing position on the trapeze (holding onto ropes) Must have left OR right split

Advanced Ribbon (class max: 8) Minimum age 14 1 year Advanced aerial experience required Must be comfortable with heights up to 30’ Must have good body and air awareness Must be comfortable with spinning fast 3 consecutive rope climbs 3 pull-ups 3 straddle overs 3 ins and outs Must have left, right or center split Must have a straddle wider than 90 degrees

Advanced Swinging Single Trapeze (class max: 4-8) Minimum age 14 Advanced Aerial experience required 1 Year trapeze experience preferred Comfortable with heights up to 30’ 7 pull ups 7 straight leg toe touches 7 straddle ups 7 continuous pullovers 1 muscle-up *Must arrange your own spotter, name of spotter must be given at evaluation. (No Spot, No Fly!) **Priority will be given to students who were registered for the 2019-2020 circus season

Updated: 9/29/2020 ******************Registration Information*****************

Other class requirements not listed above:  Able to listen, take direction, and maintain good behavior during class  Must be courteous & respectful to Trainers & other participants  Must be willing to work hard to achieve skills  Must be able to demonstrate self-control and good behavior

Circus participants must be facility members of the Redlands Family YMCA in order to register for our Circus classes. Participants will not be permitted to continue in any Circus classes if their class fees have not been paid by the 25th of the month beforehand. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify; you can pick up a financial assistance application at our Front Desk.

No participant will be allowed to register for 2 classes during the same time on the same day. Participants are encouraged to “try out” for as many classes as they qualify for during skill evaluations. Participants are encouraged to prioritize their classes in order of preference during skill evaluations if classes are held at the same time period during the season.

You may register for up to three classes if you have met the prerequisites for those classes and a maximum of 2 aerial classes.

Participants enrolling in multiple classes will need to wait until the end of skill evaluations week before registering for any classes. You will receive an email, after all evaluations have taken place, stating whether or not you were accepted into the class(es) you evaluated for.

ALL registrations will open on October 30th at 7:00am. There will not be registration for beginning level acts prior to skill evaluations.

When registering for any circus classes, participants must meet the minimum age requirement by the first day of class.

Payment for the first month of all classes will be taken at registration. Circus fees are then required to be placed on EFT and will automatically draft on the 25th of each month for the following month.

Updated: 9/29/2020