In aerial silks, a Belay is a loop of fabric created by one tail of fabric wrapping around and over the other tail of fabric. This module of our aerial silks instructor workshop series will take you through a range of skills from a basic Belay through a variety of entry options, to a range of tricks that use a Belay as the base move.
Online Course Cost: £175
Questions about the course? Click on the headings below for more information, or contact us.
Course requirements and Pre-requisites
You will need:
- to hold a Spin City Spin City Foundation Aerial Silks Instructor Course certificate, or equivalent certificate
- access to the internet via a PC, laptop, or mobile device
- access to at least 1 set of aerial silks
- a minimum of 2 hours’ study/training time per week (to complete the course within the 1-year deadline)
- a device to film videos on (mobile phones are allowed)
Course moves List
INTRODUCTION TO BELAYS
- Tying a Standard Belay
- Removing a Standard Belay
- Alternative Belay Dismounts
- Remove the body
- Climb over exit
- Pull up exit
BELAY ENTRIES
- Basic Belay
- No Invert Cross Back Belay
- Roll-In Belay
- Cross Back Straddle Belay
- Nina’s Trick Belay
- Russian Candycane Belay
- Front Cross Pull Over Belay
- Catchers Belay
- Flying Belay
BELAY SKILLS
- Belay Hand Loop Poses
- Parachute
- Inverted Shapes in Belay
- Miracle Splits
- Belay Switch
- Big Belay
- Belay Star
- Goddess Climb Over with Layback
- Tick Tock Drop
- Triple Belay
Core moves
Compulsory moves required for technical assessment
- Basic Belay
- Cross Back Straddle Belay
- Nina’s Trick Superman
- Hand Loop
- Inverted Shapes
- Goddess Climb Over
Course ASSESSMENT
This course has two main parts to the assessment; a theory assessment and a practical assessment.
| Theory Assessment | Practical Assessment |
| Answer theory questions related to each unit of the course. Questions are multiple choice, or short answers. | Part 1: Combination of Moves. Film a continuous combination of 5 moves from the course syllabus. The entry and exit from the moves can count towards the total number – we will be looking for a minimum of three belay-specific skills within your video. Part 2: Core Moves Technique and Execution. Film each of the core course moves. |
Course Description
Belays can be used for a wide range of purposes such as a pretty rest pose all the way up to the base for stacked drops.
UNIT 1 – INTRODUCTION TO BELAYS
This unit will cover the theory behind a Belay including foundation skills, safety factors and emergency exit strategies.
UNIT 2 – BELAY ENTRIES
There are many different ways to get into a Belay. As we have described in the introduction, wherever you have a cross in the fabrics you could create a Belay. We have included the most common and accessible entries here in this unit.
UNIT 3 – BELAY SKILLS
Belay entrances themselves can be challenging enough for some students, but others will want to know what they can do once they get there. The skills in this unit are arranged by difficulty and range from being suitable for beginners up to some early Belay drops.
UNIT 4 – COMBINATIONS AND CREATIVITY
Belays are one of the most natural skills to include in a combination. You can get into a Belay from a huge variety of entrance points, and use some really innovative skills, poses and transitions when you get there. In this unit we have included some of our favourite Belay combinations for you and your students to try
UNIT 5 – BELAY SAFETY
The final unit of the course covers Belay-specific health and safety considerations and provides and overview of the health and safety fundamental, covered in our Foundation Silks Instructor Course, including concepts such as public liability insurance and risk assessments.