Practice responsibly

Creating a safe environment is important to us

Participation in a workshop/class/convention includes practicing challenging physical tricks and poses. We would like to stress that doing acro includes a risk of injury. Although our classes are led by trained and experienced teachers and are held in reasonable conditions for training, only you know your own abilities and limitations and you have sole responsibility to act accordingly. You are not required to do any trick or pose which seems too dangerous for you or above your abilities. In addition, we recommend all those who practice acrobalance get personal insurance for sport injuries or accidents.

On arrival, you will be asked to sign this text:

I hereby declare that:

I am mentally and physically able to participate in this event.
I know that practicing acrobalance incurs a risk of physical injury.
I take personal responsibility over my body and I am committed to training with awareness and according to the instructions of the teacher/trainer.
I understand that in case of injury during the class, responsibility does not fall on "Acro-Israel", unless it has been proven that the teacher/trainer acted with gross negligence.

I am aware of the following rules:

No training without a spotter.
No training outside the designated area.
During classes/workshops please follow the teachers' instructions
No training under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Please inform the teacher at the beginning of the class if you have any physical or mental health issues
Be committed to training responsibly!
I agree to fill out an injury report if necessary for the purpose of learning and improvement

Eleven tips on safety and spotting

Making a safe(r) environment. We can’t prevent every injury. But we can minimize the chances of getting hurt by acting responsibly and collaboratively.
Being responsible means working together. Working safely is BOTH a personal responsibility and a community effort. The culture and habits we promote as a group will ultimately affect everyone. Therefore, while in a jam, follow the guidelines and play safe. If that seems unreasonable to you, go practice on your own where nobody will tell you what to do.
Who needs spotting? Not every trick needs spotting, nor can a spotter help make everything perfectly safe. Here are a few guidelines to understand when you DO need spotting:

- When you or your partner are beginners in acro. There are simply so many things that you don't know and could be dangerous. Work in groups of 3 or 4 people - its more fun that way.
- When you or your partner haven't done this trick/skill before. You just don't know how it can go wrong
- Dynamic tricks. If its not working 100% of the time (yet), and sometimes falls awkwardly...
- Almost any trick with the flyer's head downwards. Unless you are very proficient and have done it many times safely.
- Any time the flyer feels uncomfortable. Bases, don't try to convince them its not necessary – its their neck they're risking! Building confidence takes time.

Three types of spotting: which does your partnership need right now?
1. Helping: Assisting the trick during the learning phase
2. Securing: Hands on but not helping, making sure its safe
3. Standby: Hands off, but ready to catch if necessary.

Do you understand? Make sure you are all on the same page, speaking the same language and everyone knows what the trick is and what the exit/dismount is.
Is the spotter qualified? Check that he/she is tall enough and/or large enough and/or has the skill to spot you safely. If they say 'sorry, I don't feel comfortable spotting this', find someone else.
Where is the danger? Assess together where you think the trick may fall and be dangerous. This could well change during a dynamic trick, so the spotter needs to know the various positions to be in, from start to finish. If the trick could fall badly in more than one direction – you need more than one spotter!
Which part to spot? Agree on the body-part that the spotter is going to spot – usually hips, shoulders, upper arms (rarely legs).
Stay over center! The base is the first spotter and should always be prepared to catch and break a fall. Its usually a good idea for the spotter to keep the flyer over the base's center.
Catch what you can! When things go wrong, just do your best to save the day, even if its not the classic hold. With time you will make better and better choices, even in split second decisions.
Spotting is not everything. Preventing injuries is not all about spotting. Training safely is influenced just as much by the following:
1. Warm up before practice - stretch and do dynamic movement
2. Be clear-headed while practising. Stop if you are tired, unwell or fuzzy
3. Train at the appropriate level for you AS A COUPLE
4. Break down complicated tricks into small doable steps
5. Do the progressions before the actual trick
6. Use common sense when attempting to base someone larger than yourself
7. Know your boundaries! (put your Ego aside)
8. Your mental and emotional health are also important, be mindful!

We support a culture of consent and strongly denounce harassment or coercion of any kind

We encourage all participants to practice acro responsibly - to know their boundaries and to choose suitable partners to practice with. Please DO communicate your boundaries. You are not obliged to do anything you do not want to do, with anybody you don't want to work with.

Acro and other classes usually involve physical contact and require everyone involved to be responsible for their own body. We are AcroIsrael will not tolerate any harassment or harmful conduct of any kind and we will respond firmly, sensitively and appropriately to every case brought to our attention.

If you experienced crossing of boundaries - physically or otherwise - please let us know as soon as possible!

You are welcome to contact Meital Midori at: 00972-58-5058530

058-5058530