Do a Belt Flip
Originally adapted from Cirque du Soleil by Natalie and Yuval, a belt flip is done in swing dancing, but you don't have to swing dance in order to do it. Two people grab onto each other's belts and flip over several times around each other. It's difficult to visualize unless you've seen it in action, so here's a brief tutorial followed by a video. Keep in mind that this is an advanced move, and there's no good way to spot for it, so don't attempt it unless you've mastered other acrobatic moves first.
Steps
- Have both partners warm up and stretch. This should not be attempted by anyone with questionable strength or flexibility.
- Stand on the thickest, softest mat you can find. The couple shown in these pictures and video fell about 70% of the time for the first 150 attempts, and most of the time it was on the leader's head or neck, so don't skimp on mats. The two people should stand facing the same direction, with one in front of the other. The leader is in the back, follower in front. This flip can be performed by any combination of genders, but for ease of description (and because this is a swing dance move) we'll refer to the leader as male and the follower as female.
- Leader: Hoist the follower up at the waist so that she can grab on with her legs. If she's tall, she'll need to be higher at your waist so that she doesn't hit her head on the ground.
- Follower: Swing your head down between the leader's legs and grab tightly onto his belt. Leader: Grab onto her belt. Follower: Then loosen your grip on his waist slightly in preparation for planting your feet on the ground when the flipping begins.
- Leader: Check with your partner to make sure she's ready to flip ("Ready?" "Yes"). Roll up onto your toes and lean back at the waist farther than is comfortable and beyond what you can recover from. You just have to trust your partner; this is very difficult to do in this position. Keep your feet on the ground until hers are planted. Her feet should be just a few inches behind yours.
Note: The whole move depends on the timing and momentum from the first flip. Despite the probability of falling on your head, the leader MUST go back with enough momentum to complete the cycle. This move does not work at half or 3/4 speed, it's all or nothing. - Follower: Right before you go backwards, bend slightly at the waist, pushing your feet toward the ground. You will need it for momentum. Roll up onto your toes and lean back at the waist farther than is comfortable and beyond what you can recover from. Keep your feet on the ground until his are planted.
- Take turns, repeating the last two steps, until you're finished flipping.
Video: Performance
The belt flip is done towards the end of the performance (2 minutes in).
Tips
- Talk while you do it, for both timing and safety.
- Don't be discouraged if you can't get it. Even very talented dancers can take several months to complete a full flip.
- Keep tension on the belt throughout the whole move (both of you). Use it to keep your bodies tightly together.
- 90% of the time you will fall on the leader.
- Determine beforehand how many times you're going to flip so that you both stop at the same time.
- This is easier to do if both people are the same height so that one person doesn't hit his or her head on the ground.
Warnings
- If you do get it down and take it to a dance floor, make completely certain that you have room and nobody will get in your way. You don't want to get bumped part way through, it will be tragic.
- Make sure your belts are secure.
- This is a very advanced move. Only attempt it if you have mastered several other aerials.
Related Articles
- Lift Someone over Your Head With One Hand
- Run up a Wall and Flip
- Perform a Swing Basic (6 Count)
Sources and Citations
- Japatras - Source of video, images, and first-hand advice. Shared with permission.
