Liberty / Lib
The foundational single-leg stunt position. A strong Liberty is created by the flyer balancing over the standing foot while keeping the lifted leg compact and controlled, with the stunt group maintaining a level, stable platform underneath.
What Is a Liberty?
A single-leg stunt where the flyer stands on one supported foot.
The free leg is normally lifted into a compact bent-knee position while the standing leg, pelvis, torso and head remain vertically organised over the supported foot.
Flyer Shape
Prerequisites
Strong Prep
Two-leg Prep is already stable and repeatable.
Single-Leg Balance
Flyer demonstrates useful standing-leg balance on the floor.
Active Ankle
Flyer can make small corrections without bending the whole body.
Hip Control
Pelvis stays stacked rather than dropping to one side.
Base Platform
Bases can support one foot without separating or tilting excessively.
Confidence
Flyer trusts the group and does not immediately grab, sit or collapse.
Role Responsibilities
One Stable Platform
- Remain underneath the standing foot.
- Match platform height.
- Avoid competing corrections.
- Maintain consistent pressure and timing.
Control the Centre
- Stay connected to timing.
- Watch the flyer's hips.
- Assist according to approved programme technique.
- Recognise instability early.
Stand Over the Foot
- Use the standing ankle actively.
- Keep hips over support.
- Maintain a tall torso.
- Keep free leg controlled.
Balance Strategy
Correct small errors early rather than making large whole-body reactions.
Ankle First
Small balance corrections should begin close to the supported foot.
Knee Quiet
Repeated knee bending often shows the flyer is correcting too late.
Hips Centred
A dropped or shifted hip changes the entire stunt centre.
Upper Body Quiet
Arm windmilling and torso movement increase instability.
Development Drills
Floor Liberty Hold
Build standing-leg balance and body shape before elevation.
Lib → Reset
Short controlled repetitions instead of long survival holds.
Hip-Level Check
Coach visually checks whether shoulders and hips remain level.
Quiet-Arms Balance
Teach flyer to correct without throwing upper body.
Video Freeze Frame
Compare standing foot, knee, hip and torso alignment.
Matched Groups
Clean single-leg hit timing across multiple stunt groups.
Liberty Troubleshooting
| What You See | Likely Cause | Coach Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Flyer falls toward free leg | Hip shifted off standing foot | Re-centre pelvis before correcting free leg. |
| Flyer bends standing knee | Large/late balance correction | Rebuild ankle control and shorter holds. |
| Free knee drops | Hip flexor/control issue | Separate strength issue from stunt balance. |
| One base constantly moves | Platform or flyer centre changing | Identify the first movement, not the final wobble. |
| Flyer twists torso | Hips no longer square | Reset body alignment at lower difficulty. |
| Arms windmill | Flyer correcting too late | Use quieter floor balance work. |
| Pain/fear | Not ready to progress | Stop or regress appropriately. |
IASF Rules Context
Specific Prep-Level Exception
Prep-level single-leg stunts require the additional base connection specified by the current Level 1 rules.
Prep-Level Single Leg
Level 2 permits single-leg stunts at Prep level, subject to the remaining stunt rules.
Above Prep Level
Extended/above-Prep single-leg stunts move into Level 3 stunt-height territory.
Competition-Ready Test
GREEN
- Centred standing foot.
- Quiet upper body.
- Hips level.
- Minimal base movement.
- Consistent free-leg position.
AMBER
- Small hip adjustment.
- Short hold only.
- Occasional platform correction.
- Minor upper-body movement.
RED
- Pain.
- Large knee bend.
- Repeated falls.
- Base chasing.
- Significant fear.