Scorpion
A bent back-leg flexibility position requiring the flyer to combine single-leg balance, shoulder mobility, active back flexibility and a strong supporting side without pulling the entire stunt away from its centre.
The flyer should already have sufficient shoulder, hip and back range before elevating the position. A lower Scorpion performed under control is preferable to a larger position that creates pain, strain or stunt instability.
What Is a Scorpion?
A single-leg body position where the free leg bends behind the flyer and is held upward while the supporting side remains organised over the stunt platform.
The athlete should lift the back knee and create the body position through active strength and usable flexibility rather than simply pulling the foot toward the head.
The Scorpion should grow from the same single-leg balance used in a Liberty, Arabesque and Scale.
Lift the Knee, Not Just the Foot
Stay Centred
The standing hip remains organised over the supporting foot.
Lift Upward
Think about lifting the knee rather than dragging the foot down toward the head.
Stay Lifted
The front of the body remains organised as the back-leg range increases.
Use Available Range
The flyer should use comfortable, controlled shoulder range rather than forcing the grip.
Strong vs Weak Scorpion
✓ Strong Structure
- Standing leg remains active.
- Supporting hip remains centred.
- Back knee lifts upward.
- Chest remains organised.
- Grip is controlled.
- Stunt remains quiet underneath.
- Flyer can hold without repeated pulling.
- Groups show similar shapes.
- Body-position timing is synchronised.
✕ Weak Structure
- Flyer leans dramatically forward.
- Standing knee softens.
- Supporting hip travels backwards.
- Foot is pulled toward the head.
- Shoulder position looks strained.
- Stunt travels backwards.
- Bases continually chase underneath.
- Groups use very different body positions.
Scorpion Flow
The flyer should establish single-leg balance before asking the body to move into the flexibility position.
Progression Framework
Develop usable shoulder, hip and back mobility.
Balance and control the shape independently.
Own the single-leg stunt before adding flexibility.
Find the foot without changing the flyer's centre.
Prioritise posture and stability over range.
Increase active range while preserving alignment.
Match grab, hit, hold and return across stunt groups.
Development Drills
Standing Scorpion Holds
Develop balance before adding stunt height.
Back-Knee Lifts
Train active range rather than passive pulling.
Shoulder Preparation
Develop usable range without forcing the joint.
Lib → Grab
Keep the platform quiet while the flyer finds the foot.
Side-View Video
Check torso, standing hip and back-knee position.
Target Shape
Choose a position each flyer can reproduce cleanly.
Short Coaching Cues
Common Problems & Fixes
| What You See | Likely Cause | Check First | Training Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flyer tips forward | Back-leg range exceeds control | Chest | Lower the position and rebuild posture. |
| Standing knee bends | Supporting side weakens | Standing leg | Return to Liberty strength work. |
| Foot is pulled toward head | Shape driven mainly by arms | Back knee | Train active knee lift. |
| Stunt travels backwards | Flyer's centre changes | Standing hip | Re-centre before increasing range. |
| Shoulder discomfort | Available mobility exceeded | Pain / shoulder range | Stop and regress the body position. |
| Groups mismatch | Different range or arm positions | Team target | Standardise presentation. |
| Stunt shakes throughout | Single-leg foundation not secure | Liberty | Remove the flexibility position temporarily. |
IASF Comparative Scoring
An impressive flexibility position should strengthen the complete stunt section rather than simply exist as an individual trick.
Execution · Stability · Flexibility · Uniformity · Sync
Flexibility is one of the technique considerations, but it sits alongside execution, stability, uniformity and synchronisation.
Compare the Complete Section
Degree of difficulty, team participation, use of bases, transition variety, pace and combinations contribute to the comparative difficulty picture.
Is the Scorpion Competition Ready?
GREEN · Ready
- Pain-free.
- Stable Liberty before the grab.
- Standing leg remains active.
- Supporting hip remains centred.
- Back knee actively lifts.
- Chest remains controlled.
- Body position is repeatable.
- Groups match shape and timing.
AMBER · Developing
- Small torso movement.
- Limited active range.
- Minor base adjustment.
- Short stable hold only.
- Team timing requires cleaning.
RED · Regress
- Pain.
- Forced flexibility.
- Standing leg collapses.
- Large forward lean.
- Significant stunt movement.
- Cannot repeat safely.
- Significant fear.