How to do an Aerial
An Aerial is an acro skill on floor exercise that gymnasts usually learn between Levels 6 and 7, once a Cartwheel and a Roundoff are solid.
Also called: aerial cartwheel, no-hand cartwheel, side aerial.
Quick facts
| Apparatus | Floor Exercise |
|---|---|
| Typical level (estimate) | Levels 6-7 |
| Difficulty (Stickd rating) | 6/10 |
| Time to learn after the prerequisite (estimate) | About 6 weeks |
| Whole progression (estimate) | About 14 weeks from a Handstand |
| Fear factor (Stickd rating) | 3/5 |
Levels, ratings and timelines are Stickd estimates for planning, not USAG requirements.
What to learn before an Aerial
Work through these skills in order. Each one is a required step toward an Aerial.
Step-by-step progression
The path to an Aerial has 4 steps. Week counts are typical estimates for regular training.
- 1
Handstand
Learn a Handstand until it is solid, usually between Levels 1 and 2. About 3 weeks (estimate).
- 2
Cartwheel
Learn a Cartwheel until it is solid, usually around Level 2. About 2 weeks (estimate).
- 3
Roundoff
Learn a Roundoff until it is solid, usually around Level 3. About 3 weeks (estimate).
- 4
Aerial
Learn an Aerial. Allow about 6 weeks once the step before it is solid (estimate).
Drills that build an Aerial
- Aerial Cartwheel Progressions
- Cartwheel Technique Drills
- Wall Handstand Holds
- Hollow Body Holds
- Leg Squeeze Conditioning
Technique focus areas: Leg separation.
Common deductions on an Aerial
| Deduction | What it means | Typically |
|---|---|---|
| Body Alignment | Body not in proper line (arch, pike, or lean) | 0.1 |
| Bent Knees | Legs not fully extended during skills requiring straight legs | 0.1 |
Typical values; judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is, and the judges' score is the official one.
Fear and confidence
Stickd rates an Aerial 3 out of 5 for fear. It involves turning over in the air with no hands down for the first time, being upside down. Feeling nervous about it is normal, and confidence usually builds step by step through the progression above.
Mental techniques that help
Box Breathing
A 4-count breathing pattern to calm your nervous system before attempting a scary skill.
Positive Self-Talk Reframe
Replace negative fear thoughts with accurate, empowering statements.
Backward Skill Visualization
Close your eyes and mentally rehearse the skill from start to finish, feeling each phase.
Watch an example
Watch an Aerial tutorial on YouTube (opens in a new tab).
Frequently asked questions
- What level do gymnasts learn an Aerial?
- Gymnasts usually learn an Aerial between Levels 6 and 7. That is a typical range, and every gymnast and gym moves at a different pace.
- How long does it take to learn an Aerial?
- About 6 weeks once a Cartwheel and a Roundoff are solid, as a rough estimate. Starting from a Handstand, the whole progression adds up to about 14 weeks. These are estimates; real timelines vary a lot from gymnast to gymnast.
- What should my gymnast learn before an Aerial?
- Cartwheel and Roundoff come directly before it. The full progression is Handstand, then Cartwheel, then Roundoff, then Aerial.
- What are the most common deductions on an Aerial?
- The ones to watch for are Body Alignment (usually about 0.1) and Bent Knees (usually about 0.1). Judges scale each deduction by how noticeable it is.
- Is an Aerial scary to learn?
- It can be. Stickd rates its fear factor 3 out of 5 because it involves turning over in the air with no hands down for the first time and being upside down. Techniques like Box Breathing and Positive Self-Talk Reframe help gymnasts build confidence.