Coach Bible · Chapter 07 · Stunts & Flyer Positions

Hitch

A single-leg presentation position that teaches a flyer to maintain the stability of the supporting side while changing the free-leg shape. Although visually simpler than flexibility positions, a well-executed Hitch is extremely useful for developing body control, synchronisation and clean stunt choreography.

Level 2 Context Comparative Scoring Single-Leg Position Flyer Control Synchronisation Routine Variety

Skill Family Single-Leg Position

Level 2 Context Prep-Level Single Leg

Main Focus Standing-Side Control

Useful For Transitions & Variety

A body-position change should not destabilise the stunt.

Athletes should own the underlying single-leg stunt before changing the free leg into a Hitch. If the bases begin chasing or the flyer loses their centre, return to the Liberty foundation.

Skill Definition

What Is a Hitch?

A single-leg flyer position where the free leg is bent and presented outward while the supporting leg remains stacked over the stunt platform.

The exact visual styling can vary by choreography, but the key technical principle remains the same: changing the free leg should not significantly change the flyer's centre.

The position is particularly useful for teaching athletes to move cleanly between different single-leg shapes.

Simple does not mean irrelevant. A Hitch can contribute useful variety and choreography while allowing athletes to demonstrate strong stability and synchronisation.

Flyer Mechanics

Move the Free Leg — Not the Centre

Standing Foot

Stay Connected

Maintain predictable pressure into the bases' platform.

Standing Hip

Stay Over Support

The supporting hip should remain organised above the foot.

Free Leg

Move Deliberately

Create the Hitch shape without throwing the pelvis sideways.

Chest

Stay Lifted

Maintain performance posture throughout the position change.

Technique

Strong vs Weak Hitch

✓ Strong Structure

Standing leg remains active.
Supporting hip remains centred.
Free leg moves cleanly.
Chest remains lifted.
Stunt remains quiet underneath.
Flyer can freeze the picture.
Groups show matching leg positions.
Body-position timing is synchronised.

✕ Weak Structure

Standing knee softens.
Pelvis shifts sideways.
Free leg swings into position.
Chest drops.
Bases move underneath.
Flyer cannot hold the picture.
Groups use inconsistent leg angles.
Position hits on different counts.

Skill Sequence

Hitch Flow

1 Load Build stunt

2 Lib Find centre

3 Open Move free leg

4 Hit Show shape

5 Hold Freeze

6 Return Back to Lib

Development Pathway

Progression Framework

Floor Hitch Position

Learn the intended free-leg shape.

Single-Leg Balance

Develop standing-side stability.

Secure Liberty

Establish the supporting position first.

Slow Lib → Hitch

Change the free leg while maintaining centre.

Hitch Hold

Freeze the position without base movement.

Lib → Hitch → Lib

Control both directions of the transition.

Team Synchronisation

Match every body-position change on counts.

Drill Library

Development Drills

Flyer

Floor Hitch Holds

Learn the body position without elevation.

Flyer

Single-Leg Shape Changes

Move between Liberty and Hitch while balancing on the floor.

Group

Lib → Hitch Freeze

Pause immediately after the body-position change.

Cleaning

Front-View Video

Compare supporting hip and free-leg position.

Timing

Count-Only Rehearsal

Rehearse body-position counts before loading.

Team

Matched Shapes

Standardise knee height and visual presentation.

Athlete Language

Short Coaching Cues

“Own the Lib.” “Hip over foot.” “Move the leg, not the hip.” “Chest up.” “Hit it sharp.” “Freeze.” “Stay underneath.” “Same count.” “Match the picture.”

Diagnostic Coaching

Common Problems & Fixes

What You See	Likely Cause	Check First	Training Direction
Flyer shifts sideways	Free-leg movement changes pelvis	Standing hip	Reduce the size of the leg movement.
Base moves during Hitch	Flyer's centre changes	Liberty stability	Rebuild the initial single-leg stunt.
Free leg swings	Position lacks control	Movement pathway	Slow the change down on the floor.
Standing knee bends	Supporting side loses tension	Standing leg	Return to Liberty conditioning.
Groups look different	No agreed target shape	Knee and foot position	Choose one Hotshots team standard.
Body positions hit late	Count language inconsistent	Transition count	Rehearse without stunting.

2026–27 Scoring Context

IASF Comparative Scoring

Stunt Technique 15 Points

Stunt Difficulty 15 Points

Level 2 Context Prep Single Leg

Useful For Variety & Sync

Technique

Stability & Synchronisation

A clean Hitch can demonstrate strong body control, uniformity and precise timing across multiple stunt groups.

Difficulty

Use It Within a Sequence

Difficulty comparison considers more than the final body position. Participation, transitions, variety, pace and combinations all contribute.

Hitch can be valuable routine choreography. It can create a clean additional body position or transition without requiring athletes to sacrifice stunt stability for extreme flexibility.

Height still matters. The body-position name does not determine legality. In a Level 2 unbraced single-leg stunt, keep the stunt within the permitted Prep-level framework.

IASF / Hotshots Rules Hub → IASF Scoring Chapter →

Hotshots Coaching Standard

Is the Hitch Competition Ready?

GREEN · Ready

Stable Liberty foundation.
Standing leg remains active.
Supporting hip stays centred.
Free leg moves cleanly.
Stunt remains still.
Body position is repeatable.
Groups match visually.
Timing is synchronised.

AMBER · Developing

Small hip shift.
Minor base adjustment.
Short hold only.
Body position varies slightly.
Timing needs cleaning.

RED · Regress

Large balance loss.
Standing leg collapses.
Continuous base movement.
Flyer cannot control free leg.
Repeated stunt failure.
Significant fear.