Coach Bible · Chapter 07 · Stunts & Flyer Positions

Scale

A controlled back-leg hold requiring a strong supporting side, active flexibility and enough upper-body organisation to find the free foot without pulling the entire stunt away from its centre.

Level 2 Context Comparative Scoring Prep-Level Single Leg Active Flexibility Stability Uniformity

Skill Family Back-Leg Body Position

Level 2 Height Prep Level

Main Focus Active Back-Leg Range

Progresses Toward Scorpion / Needle

Do not use an elevated stunt as a flexibility stretch.

The flyer should already possess the usable range needed for the Scale. Never force the free leg higher while the athlete is elevated.

Skill Definition

What Is a Scale?

A single-leg stunt body position where the flyer holds the free leg behind the body while maintaining balance over the standing foot.

The flyer must continue carrying their own body rather than hanging from the elevated leg or relying on the stunt group to compensate for poor alignment.

Scale development should follow a strong Liberty and controlled Arabesque.

Comparative-scoring mindset The Scale is one part of the complete stunt section. It should improve the team's visual, technical or difficulty presentation without damaging stability, uniformity or timing.

Flyer Mechanics

Control Before Range

Standing Leg

Stay Active

The supporting knee and hip remain engaged throughout the body-position change.

Standing Hip

Stay Centred

Keep the pelvis supported above the base of support.

Free Leg

Lift Actively

Use active flexibility rather than relying entirely on the hands to pull the leg upward.

Chest

Stay Lifted

Do not fold the torso forward simply to increase leg height.

Technique

Strong vs Weak Scale

✓ Strong Structure

Standing leg remains active.
Supporting hip stays centred.
Chest remains lifted.
Free leg is controlled.
Grip looks secure rather than forced.
Minimal movement underneath.
Groups hit matching body positions.
Transition in and out remains clean.

✕ Weak Structure

Flyer folds forward.
Standing knee bends.
Arms pull the body backwards.
Stunt travels away from centre.
Flyer repeatedly adjusts the grip.
Groups use very different leg heights.
Base movement increases during the body position.

Skill Sequence

Scale Flow

1 Load Build stunt

2 Lib Find centre

3 Reach Find foot

4 Lift Active range

5 Hold Own shape

6 Return Controlled Lib

Development Pathway

Progression Framework

Floor Scale

Develop the shape at ground level.

Active Back-Leg Lifts

Strengthen usable rather than passive range.

Stable Liberty

Own single-leg balance before reaching for the foot.

Lib → Reach

Find the free foot without shifting the standing hip.

Low Scale

Prioritise posture over maximum leg height.

Controlled Full Scale

Increase range only while stability remains.

Team Synchronisation

Match grip change, body position, hold and return.

Drill Library

Development Drills

Flyer

Standing Scale Holds

Develop balance and active back-leg range.

Strength

Back-Leg Lifts

Strengthen the glutes and active hip extension.

Flyer

Reach Without Pull

Find the foot without collapsing the torso.

Group

Lib → Grab

Pause after the grip before increasing range.

Cleaning

Side-View Video

Check the standing hip and torso angle.

Team

Uniform Range

Select the strongest repeatable shared body position.

Athlete Language

Short Coaching Cues

“Stand first.” “Hip over foot.” “Lift, don't hang.” “Chest proud.” “Own your range.” “Freeze the shape.” “Stay underneath.” “Return through Lib.” “Match the line.”

Diagnostic Coaching

Common Problems & Fixes

What You See	Likely Cause	Check First	Training Direction
Chest collapses	Range exceeds control	Torso	Lower the free leg and rebuild posture.
Standing knee bends	Supporting side loses tension	Standing leg	Return to Liberty strength and balance.
Stunt travels backwards	Flyer pulls away from centre	Standing hip	Use a lower Scale.
Free leg remains low	Active flexibility is limited	Floor range	Condition outside the stunt.
Flyer hangs from arms	Passive rather than active flexibility	Leg engagement	Use active leg-lift work.
Groups mismatch	Different usable ranges	Chosen team shape	Standardise the strongest shared position.
Repeated adjustments	Body position is not owned	Initial grip	Hold a lower position cleanly first.

2026–27 Scoring Context

IASF Comparative Scoring

Stunt Technique 15 Points

Stunt Difficulty 15 Points

Level 2 Context Prep Single Leg

Primary Focus Whole Section

Technique

Execution · Stability · Flexibility · Uniformity · Sync

The body position helps only when the flyer can genuinely control it and the team can present it consistently.

Difficulty

Compare the Complete Sequence

Degree of difficulty, participation, use of bases, transitions, load-ins, dismounts, pace and combinations contribute to the overall comparative picture.

A Scale is not an automatic scoring upgrade. A cleaner Arabesque or Liberty sequence may present better technically than an ambitious Scale that creates visible instability.

Level 2 context This guide assumes an unbraced Prep-level single-leg stunt. Do not simply raise the same Scale into an above-Prep single-leg stunt at Level 2.

Current rules always win. Check current IASF and Event Producer requirements through the Hotshots Rules Hub.

IASF / Hotshots Rules Hub → IASF Scoring Chapter →

Hotshots Coaching Standard

Is the Scale Competition Ready?

GREEN · Ready

Pain-free.
Stable Liberty foundation.
Active standing leg.
Chest stays lifted.
Free leg is controlled.
Minimal base movement.
Repeatable shape.
Team groups match.

AMBER · Developing

Small torso movement.
Short stable hold only.
Slight group differences.
Grip needs cleaning.
Timing varies slightly.

RED · Regress

Pain.
Forced flexibility.
Standing leg collapses.
Large movement underneath.
Flyer cannot reach safely.
Repeated stunt failure.