Pyramid
A connected building structure in which two or more stunt groups, top persons or bracers interact to create a larger visual and technical element. Strong pyramids combine legal connections, clear roles, controlled transitions, team participation and synchronisation without sacrificing individual stunt technique.
Pyramid legality depends on the complete construction: level, height, bracer position, required contacts, releases, inversions, rotations, catchers and transitions all matter. Current IASF and Event Producer rules must be checked for the exact sequence being performed.
What Is a Pyramid?
A connected stunt structure involving interaction between multiple building groups or top persons.
A pyramid is more than several individual stunts happening next to one another.
The defining value comes from the way athletes connect, transition, brace, support or visually interact within one larger structure.
Coaches should think about the pyramid as a system: every athlete has an effect on the timing, balance and legal construction of the whole element.
Know Who Is Doing What
Maintain Your Own Stunt
A bracer or connection should not replace the top person's own body control and balance.
Protect Your Platform
Bases stay responsible for the top person they are supporting while accommodating the planned pyramid connection.
Read the Whole Structure
Maintain awareness of your group while recognising movement in connected groups.
Make Contact Deliberately
Required brace contacts should be established clearly and maintained for the duration required by the applicable rules.
Build a Readable Pyramid
Each Group Is Secure
Do not use the pyramid connection to hide an individual stunt that cannot stand independently at the required progression.
Contact Is Clear
Athletes know where the connection happens, when it happens and who is responsible for maintaining it.
Timing Is Shared
All groups build, transition and finish according to one coordinated count structure.
Strong vs Weak Pyramid
✓ Strong Pyramid
- Individual stunt groups are secure.
- Connections are deliberate.
- Required contacts are obvious.
- Groups build together.
- Flyer shapes match.
- Structure remains centred.
- Transitions are easy to read.
- Dismounts or exits remain controlled.
- Whole team contributes appropriately.
✕ Weak Pyramid
- Groups rely on bracers to stay up.
- Connections are late or unclear.
- One group moves before others.
- Flyers pull each other off centre.
- Outside groups are visually ignored.
- Structure travels across floor.
- Transitions become rushed.
- Exit loses control.
- Coaches cannot clearly explain the legality.
Build the Pyramid in Layers
Coaching Cues
Common Problems & Fixes
| What You See | Likely Cause | Check First | Training Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connection pulls stunt sideways | Bracer or top person over-pulling | Individual balance | Rebuild groups separately. |
| One group arrives late | Different internal timing | Build count | Clean group before reconnecting. |
| Bracer cannot reach comfortably | Spacing incorrect | Starting formation | Adjust positions before loading. |
| Flyer shapes do not match | Body-position standards differ | Target picture | Set a shared shape standard. |
| Whole pyramid travels | Multiple groups correcting independently | Central alignment | Diagnose first group that moves. |
| Transition feels rushed | Too many actions on same count | Routine mapping | Separate phases before increasing pace. |
| Legality is unclear | Construction not mapped fully | Contacts and heights | Stop and complete legality review. |
How to Think About Pyramid Scoring
The Whole Structure Must Remain Clean
Consider execution, stability, synchronisation and uniformity across every participating group rather than judging only the most difficult central element.
Difficulty Comes from Construction
Consider the level of the skills, percentage of team participation, variety of transitions, connections, pace, combinations and how the whole pyramid compares with other routines.
Is the Pyramid Ready?
GREEN · Ready
- Individual groups are secure.
- Connections are deliberate.
- Required contacts are understood.
- Timing matches.
- Shapes are uniform.
- Structure remains centred.
- Transitions are controlled.
- Legality has been checked.
AMBER · Developing
- Small timing differences.
- Connection needs adjustment.
- One group less stable.
- Shapes need cleaning.
- Routine pace still inconsistent.
RED · Regress
- Individual stunt is not secure.
- Connection causes major instability.
- Required contacts are unclear.
- Large uncontrolled travel.
- Transition repeatedly collapses.
- Coach cannot confirm legality.