How to count points of contact

Here are some examples of how to count points of contact! A point of contact is anywhere that your body touches the pole.

Some examples are:

• Hand

• Elbow

• Inner thigh

• Back of the knee

• Waist

• Neck

• Shoulder

For Levels 2 and 3, any move where you are

1. Inverted AND

2. Your entire body weight is supported by the pole

must have at least 3 points of contact. Let’s give some examples a try.

Example - Butterfly

Yep, she’s inverted, and yep, her entire body weight is on the pole, so the 3 points of contact rule would apply. This photo has 2 hands and 1 foot as the points of contact. This move would be allowed in Levels 2 and 3.

Example 2 - handspring

Yes, she is inverted and her entire body is being supported by the pole. This move has 2 hands as the points of contact. This move would only be allowed in Level 4 and up.

Example 3 - climb

This move is not inverted, so the rules for points of contact would not apply.

Example - floor/pole handstand

This move does not have the entire body weight supported by the pole, there’s weight in the bottom hand on the floor. The 3 points of contact rule would not apply. This move is ok for Levels 2 and 3.