Shoulder Block Splits on Aerial Hoop is a dramatic shape that in many ways is easier than it may look, but introducing it safely to students can be very challenging and so we always start students on very low hoops that students can simply step to the floor if needed. This skill is also the primary prerequisite for the Shoulder Squeeze Arm Block which is one of our favorite skills that we developed by our own on apparatus experimentation and play at Aerial Fit.
This tutorial includes progressions that should be first done close to the floor and then progressions for taking the skill up to a normal height. Being able to work with a student on a low hoop is crucial to reducing the risk of learning this skill. If adjusting hoop height isn’t easy for your situation, then we highly recommend that a skill like this should be reserved for a private lesson where the hoop can be set low.
There are three main reasons why we always start students on very low hoops. Foremost is that some students have zero tolerance for the hoop pressing into the part of the arms necessary for the skill and they may have to instantly step out of the skill. The awkward starting position and the possibility for intense hamstring strain are also reasons to keep the hoops low.
Become an Aerial Fit Online member to access the video for Shoulder Block Splits. 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 Shoulder Block Splits.
These are the most common mistakes we see with students when they are learning how to do the aerial hoop skill Shoulder Block Splits 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 Shoulder Block Splits 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 Shoulder Block Splits. 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 Shoulder Block Splits. 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 Shoulder Block Splits. 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 Shoulder Block Splits. 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 Shoulder Block Splits. They are fun, creative, and challenging sequences from our aerial video tutorial library.
