The Drop Knee Mermaid on Aerial Hoop is a relatively new addition to our curriculum, inspired by our shared interest in rock climbing and bouldering. The term “drop knee” comes directly from climbing, and the concept translates beautifully to aerial movement. Students love how dramatic the skill feels in their bodies, and how simple it is to learn. That is always a winning combination for a joyful experience on the hoop. As teachers, we love that it’s easy to adapt for a wide variety of movers.
This tutorial covers entrances from three different starting positions, along with adjustments for students with less hip mobility. Even though the skill is relatively simple, it offers surprising depth. There is a lot to explore when it comes to body mechanics, movement choices, and relationship with the hoop.
Become an Aerial Fit Online member to access the video for Mermaid: Drop Knee. This in-depth video will explain how to properly train this skill. It also includes cross references to the most important Building Blocks, Common Mistakes, Related Drills, Ground Drills, Variations, Next Steps and Sequences.
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Some of the most important aerial hoop skills, related movements, and prerequisites from our aerial video tutorial library that students should be very comfortable doing to succeed at Mermaid: Drop Knee.
These are the most common mistakes we see with students when they are learning how to do the aerial hoop skill Mermaid: Drop Knee and detailed directions on how to fix these problems to make the skill look and feel easy.
These similar aerial hoop skills and aerial drills are helpful to troubleshoot and help with problems. Students don't need to have mastered the Mermaid: Drop Knee to work on these related skills and drills. These drills may help your students make important connections and answer the question "What am I doing wrong?".
These are some of our favorite ground drills for aerialists for Mermaid: Drop Knee. They can be used as part of the ground warm up or as part of the aerial class teaching progression.
These are different variations of Mermaid: Drop Knee. Students should be very comfortable with the current skill before working on these different or more advanced variations. They can be used for further exploration, managing students with different levels and adding variety to aerial hoop choreography.
These are the next steps we teach to our aerial hoop students after they’re comfortable with Mermaid: Drop Knee. The next steps can be started right away and they lead toward specific future goals which are often the most advanced aerial hoop skills.
These are some of the more advanced hoop skills that build on the strength and control taught in Mermaid: Drop Knee. They are not the next immediate steps, but rather long term planning goals.
These are aerial hoop sequences, transitions, and combinations that include the aerial skill Mermaid: Drop Knee. They are fun, creative, and challenging sequences from our aerial video tutorial library.
