AFC Aerial Fitness Techniques & Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During an aerial hoop (lyra) routine, what grip orientation is used when the palms face away from the body while holding the top bar?
- Overgrip (Correct answer)
- Undergrip
- Mixed grip
- False grip
Correct answer: Overgrip
Overgrip (pronated grip) means the palms face away from the body, which is the most common grip for top-bar hangs on the lyra.
Question 2: Which aerial silks technique involves wrapping the fabric around both feet to create a stable platform before dropping into an inverted position?
- Foot lock (Correct answer)
- Hip key
- Meathook
- Gazelle
Correct answer: Foot lock
A foot lock secures the fabric around the feet, providing a stable base from which to execute inverted drops and poses.
Question 3: In aerial pole fitness, what term describes a move where the athlete holds the pole with only one hand and one thigh while the body extends horizontally?
- Flag (Correct answer)
- Ayesha
- Jade split
- Superman
Correct answer: Flag
The Flag hold requires only one hand and one inner thigh contact, with the body held horizontal—a high-strength static hold.
Question 4: When teaching a beginner the aerial silks straddle climb, what is the correct sequence of limb movements?
- Feet push down, hips lift, hands climb
- Hands climb first, then feet wrap
- Wrap feet, stand up, reach hands (Correct answer)
- Jump to inverted, then wrap feet
Correct answer: Wrap feet, stand up, reach hands
The straddle climb sequence: wrap and lock feet on the fabric, press to standing, then reach hands up to progress higher.
Question 5: Which conditioning drill most directly targets the serratus anterior muscles needed for scapular protraction during aerial hangs?
- Serratus push-up (elbows locked, scapula rounds) (Correct answer)
- Barbell shrug
- Lat pull-down
- Dumbbell row
Correct answer: Serratus push-up (elbows locked, scapula rounds)
Serratus push-ups with intentional scapular protraction at the top isolate the serratus anterior, critical for safe overhead aerial work.
Question 6: What is the primary biomechanical advantage of using a split grip versus a basic grip on aerial silks?
- Allows rotation around a single axis using opposing hand positions (Correct answer)
- Reduces shoulder engagement
- Provides more ankle support
- Eliminates the need for a foot lock
Correct answer: Allows rotation around a single axis using opposing hand positions
Split grip positions one hand above and one below in opposing orientations, enabling controlled spinning and rotation along a vertical axis.
Question 7: In aerial hoop, a 'skin the cat' transition takes the athlete from a hang to what position?
- Inverted hang with hips above the bar (Correct answer)
- Seated on the bottom bar
- Back balance on the hoop
- Standing hip hold
Correct answer: Inverted hang with hips above the bar
Skin the cat rotates the body backward through the hoop (or under a bar) until the hips are above shoulder level in an inverted hang.
AFC Aerial Fitness Techniques & Methods 2
During an aerial hoop (lyra) routine, what grip orientation is used when the palms face away from the body while holding the top bar?