pole movements rules for 2025
AAPC Pole Movement Rulings - 2025
This is an open working document, subject to change.
This is an open working document, subject to change.
Advanced Movements not allowed: Any trick considered “elite”
Artist - movements not allowed: Any trick considered above “advanced”. No extreme acro/flex.
Somersault style flips on or off the pole (IE saults, full flips off pole. EXCLUDED- Shoulder mount, Butterfly flip, Sweeper pop and Ragdoll pop over style flips allowed)
Extreme flex - Rainbow Marchenko, Spatchcock, Eagle & Inverted Eagle
Shoulder pops (up the pole. Hand over hand downwards OK), Fonji/Kamikaze
Phoenix
Bird of Paradise
Intermediate movements not allowed: Any trick considered “advanced”/extreme flex
3 points of contact must be maintained at all times while inverted
Ayesha & Handsprings – Butterfly and variations allowed
Knee grip without point of contact assist (IE One hand must remain in moves like ‘Marley’, ‘Jeanie’ and ‘Jasmine’ and ‘Trapeze’)
Drops and tumbles, Flips (basic slides OK. IE- NO Holly, Jade, Martini drop. Lowering down into movement ok, but no dynamic drops/tumbles.)
Suspended walks (while rising or lowering. IE-Shoulder mounting or staircase spin)
Elbow grips and inverted elbow tricks (other than upright spins with 2nd point of contact assist; IE vortex. Double embrace and unicorn allowed)
Suicide spins
Gargoyle, Super passe
Russian layback. Remi layback (Remi seat OK)
Caterpillar inverted climbing, Pantera climb
Parallel handstands – one arm (pole rest/twist allowed with both hands on floor – point of contact must rest against the pole at all times except entry and exit, must not perform walkovers)
Pole cartwheels (parallel to pole OR shoulder mount)
Chest Press (shoulder mounted)
Yogini, Reverse pit grips
Iron X and advanced strength; Press ups, Levers, Deadlifts, Hunter press, Flag lifts. (any holds must be less than 3 seconds)
Tulip, Bow and Arrow. Poisson only allowed with inner side foot hold, twisted not allowed.
Iguana/Darryl Hannah
Russian split
Tabletops, Back hold/support when inverted (planches, dragon tail etc)
Marion Amber/Trapped split
Broken doll/Jallegra style movements
Inverted hand near face grips (Pegasus, Football grip)
Machine gun, Janiero
Cocoon, Bui bend
Unassisted hold cupid (Hand must remain on pole or leg)
Stomach grip without hand assist/Hiplock roll to Jade
Shoulder pops (Downwards, hand over hand)
Flag hold to brass position pressup
Beginner- movements not allowed: Any trick considered “intermediate”
One hand must remain on the pole during moves with the exception of crucifix hold and twisted seat
Hips must remain level or below shoulders. No extreme acro/flex.
Ragdoll spin, Sunwheel spins, Ankle hold side spin, Flares
Superman
Hood ornament with pit grip (one hand must remain)
Elbow spins (including martini)
Pit grips and Teddy holds
Handstands (Headstands allowed)
Stomach grips/Hip grips without both hand support
Reiko split, Banana split, Vertical split on pole
Chopstix
Flag arm hold variations (pit tuck with hand and down grip only. No full side extension or side straddle. Front straddle and side passe OK)
Hip lock/Bomb drops
Stargazer release
Artist - movements not allowed: Any trick considered above “advanced”. No extreme acro/flex.
Somersault style flips on or off the pole (IE saults, full flips off pole. EXCLUDED- Shoulder mount, Butterfly flip, Sweeper pop and Ragdoll pop over style flips allowed)
Extreme flex - Rainbow Marchenko, Spatchcock, Eagle & Inverted Eagle
Shoulder pops (up the pole. Hand over hand downwards OK), Fonji/Kamikaze
Phoenix
Bird of Paradise
Intermediate movements not allowed: Any trick considered “advanced”/extreme flex
3 points of contact must be maintained at all times while inverted
Ayesha & Handsprings – Butterfly and variations allowed
Knee grip without point of contact assist (IE One hand must remain in moves like ‘Marley’, ‘Jeanie’ and ‘Jasmine’ and ‘Trapeze’)
Drops and tumbles, Flips (basic slides OK. IE- NO Holly, Jade, Martini drop. Lowering down into movement ok, but no dynamic drops/tumbles.)
Suspended walks (while rising or lowering. IE-Shoulder mounting or staircase spin)
Elbow grips and inverted elbow tricks (other than upright spins with 2nd point of contact assist; IE vortex. Double embrace and unicorn allowed)
Suicide spins
Gargoyle, Super passe
Russian layback. Remi layback (Remi seat OK)
Caterpillar inverted climbing, Pantera climb
Parallel handstands – one arm (pole rest/twist allowed with both hands on floor – point of contact must rest against the pole at all times except entry and exit, must not perform walkovers)
Pole cartwheels (parallel to pole OR shoulder mount)
Chest Press (shoulder mounted)
Yogini, Reverse pit grips
Iron X and advanced strength; Press ups, Levers, Deadlifts, Hunter press, Flag lifts. (any holds must be less than 3 seconds)
Tulip, Bow and Arrow. Poisson only allowed with inner side foot hold, twisted not allowed.
Iguana/Darryl Hannah
Russian split
Tabletops, Back hold/support when inverted (planches, dragon tail etc)
Marion Amber/Trapped split
Broken doll/Jallegra style movements
Inverted hand near face grips (Pegasus, Football grip)
Machine gun, Janiero
Cocoon, Bui bend
Unassisted hold cupid (Hand must remain on pole or leg)
Stomach grip without hand assist/Hiplock roll to Jade
Shoulder pops (Downwards, hand over hand)
Flag hold to brass position pressup
Beginner- movements not allowed: Any trick considered “intermediate”
One hand must remain on the pole during moves with the exception of crucifix hold and twisted seat
Hips must remain level or below shoulders. No extreme acro/flex.
Ragdoll spin, Sunwheel spins, Ankle hold side spin, Flares
Superman
Hood ornament with pit grip (one hand must remain)
Elbow spins (including martini)
Pit grips and Teddy holds
Handstands (Headstands allowed)
Stomach grips/Hip grips without both hand support
Reiko split, Banana split, Vertical split on pole
Chopstix
Flag arm hold variations (pit tuck with hand and down grip only. No full side extension or side straddle. Front straddle and side passe OK)
Hip lock/Bomb drops
Stargazer release
