Half-Up
A twisting stunt entry incorporating approximately one half rotation before the flyer settles into the intended stunt position. A strong Half-Up should still travel vertically: the rotation is added to a technically sound load rather than replacing the upward drive.
A Half-Up should not be used to hide an unstable Prep or Extension entry. Athletes should demonstrate consistent loading, vertical drive and finishing position before introducing the turn. Exact legality still depends on height, contacts, start position and final position.
What Is a Half-Up?
A stunt entry or transition containing approximately one half twisting rotation.
The flyer and bases should rotate as part of one coordinated movement while the stunt continues to travel upward.
The skill may finish in different legal positions depending on the level and construction being trained.
The defining technical quality is not simply completing 180 degrees. The group should remain stacked, controlled and capable of freezing the final stunt immediately.
What Should Be Secure First?
Load-In / Smush
Foot placement and shared dip must already be predictable.
Straight Prep
The group should consistently load directly to Prep without travelling.
Quarter-Up
Athletes should understand directional rotation and finishing square.
Stable Finish
The intended landing position must already be technically secure without rotation.
Build the Half-Up Vertically
Match the Loading Rhythm
Different dip timing creates rotation around an unstable platform.
Send the Stunt Up
Bases should create vertical lift before allowing the turn to dominate the pathway.
Stay Connected
Hips, ribs and shoulders should rotate together rather than the upper body turning ahead of the feet.
Square Immediately
The rotation is not complete until the final stunt is balanced and facing its intended direction.
Strong vs Weak Half-Up
✓ Strong Half-Up
- Shared dip timing.
- Vertical initial pathway.
- Flyer remains tight.
- Rotation happens smoothly.
- No excessive base foot movement.
- Final position is square.
- Stunt can freeze immediately.
- Multiple groups match rotation speed.
✕ Weak Half-Up
- Stunt swings sideways.
- Flyer twists early.
- Hips and shoulders separate.
- One base rotates faster.
- Final foot placement is inconsistent.
- Bases chase the stunt.
- Rotation finishes late.
- Stunt cannot stabilise after the turn.
Half-Up Flow
Coaching Cues & Drills
Walk-Through Half Turn
Rehearse group direction and footwork without loading.
Quarter-Up → Half-Up
Increase turn amount only once quarter rotation remains consistent.
Freeze the Finish
Every repetition must hold the final stunt before resetting.
Common Problems & Fixes
| What You See | Likely Cause | Check First | Training Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stunt travels sideways | Rotation starts before vertical drive | Initial pathway | Return to straight Prep entries. |
| Flyer turns before bases | Flyer anticipates rotation | Hip/shoulder timing | Practise coordinated walk-throughs. |
| One base chases | Base footwork or rotation differs | Base starting positions | Mark start and finish positions. |
| Stunt under-rotates | Group stops rotation early | Finish direction | Give athletes a visual finish target. |
| Stunt wobbles after catch | Rotation is prioritised over landing | Final platform | Require stable hold after every rep. |
IASF Context
Rotation Cannot Reduce Execution
Comparative stunt technique considers execution, stability, flexibility where applicable, uniformity and synchronisation.
Entries Matter
Variety of load-ins and transitions is one of the factors used when comparing stunt difficulty between teams.
Is the Half-Up Ready?
GREEN · Ready
- Straight entry is secure.
- Matched dip.
- Vertical pathway.
- Consistent half rotation.
- Flyer stays stacked.
- Final stunt squares.
- Minimal base foot movement.
- Repeatable on counts.
AMBER · Developing
- Small foot correction.
- Slight under-rotation.
- Minor flyer anticipation.
- Occasional landing wobble.
RED · Regress
- Large travel.
- Flyer twists independently.
- Bases rotate at different times.
- Final stunt repeatedly collapses.
- Straight entry is not yet secure.