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Here we attempt to describe the diversity of aerials. The aerials listed in this article are grouped somewhat arbitrarily into classic aerials; jumps and cannonballs; charleston jumps; lifts; something; flips; base aerials; dips; slides and spins; drags and slop; theatrics and gymnastics; and miscellaneous.
The guy is called the base, because he usually does deep knee bends and lifts. The girl is called the flyer, because she usually flies through the air.
This article is not for teaching how to do aerials, because many details are missing. We recommend coaching to learn to perform aerials. Aerials that seem easy can be hard, while aerials that seem very hard to perform can be easy. It is important to know the tricks to each aerial. It is important to work out the timing with one's partner for each aerial, which takes practice.
The first Lindy Hop aerial was performed by Frankie Manning in 1935. Frankie Manning and George Snowden competed in weekly dance contests at the Savoy Ballroom. Shorty George and Big Bea had a move, where they stood back-to-back; they locked arms; Big Bea bent over, picking Shorty George up on her back; and then she carried him off the floor, while he slowly kicked his feet. Frankie Manning wanted to outdo Shorty George, so he convinced Freda Washington, his partner, to flip over his back. This flip is considered the first Lindy aerial.
Aerials quickly caught on in Lindy Hop. In 1935, the troupe Whitey's Lindy Hoppers (Congeroos) formed and performed at private parties in New York. From 1936 to 1941, they toured the world and performed in movies and some after 1945, showing Lindy Hop and aerials to the world.
Aerials had been performed in other dances before 1935. For example, the Nicolas Brothers used leaps and flips in their tap dance routines in the early 1930s at the Cotton Club. But, Lindy was the popular break through for aerials.
These aerials stand the test of time. They were performed in the 1930s and are still performed in the 2000s.
Lindy Flip: This is the classic Lindy Hop aerial, somewhat like a swing out in the air. The flyer jumps at the base's right side, she pushes off the base's shoulder with her right hand, she swings around his head, and she lands where she started. When the flyer moves slowly, her motion is lower and more horizontal and the move may be called a helicopter. When the flyer moves quickly, her motion is higher and more vertical and the move is a true Lindy flip. Technically, this is not a flip.
Back to Back Flip: The base and flyer stand back to back, they lock arms. When the base bends over, the flyer rolls over his back and lands on her feet in front of him. This was the very first Lindy aerial.
Waterfall: From boxcars, a candlestick, a handstand flip, or leg up layout throw, the flyer goes up over the base's head, slides down the base's back head first, tucks up through the base's legs, and stands up in front of him, in one fluid motion. The base pulls the flyer up through his legs the final way. In the traditional version, the flyer's feet simply fall to the floor. In the modern version, the flyer's knees are caught mid back and she swings through and stands up in one fluid motion.
Frankie Snatch: The flyer jumps over the base's shoulder and down his back. He stops her by grabbing her bent knee with his right hand, at his shoulder. He then throws her back out with his whole body. The flyer lands where she started. Named for Frankie Manning.
Around the World: The flyer jumps into the base's arms, horizontally. The base lets go with his left hand, her feet (she) swings around his body and grabs her knees with his left hand. She now lies across his back. Then he lets go with his right hand and swing her torso around and catches her in front, where she started. This can be low (her belly at his waist) or high (his nose in her belly button). The couple can do one, or do several in a row. Also called pendulum.
These simple jumps start from closed position.
Straight: In closed position, the flyer jumps straight up. The base pushes straight up with his right hand on her back and his left hand on her right hand, to give her more height. The flyer pushes with her left hand on his shoulder and her right hand on his left hand. Rock on count 1, step on count 2, down on count 3, jump on count 4, land and sync on counts 5 and 6.
Frog: Like straight, but flyer pulls her legs up giving the illusion of more height. Base may kick between her legs while she is in the air. The flyer may arc over the base's shoulder or go straight up.
Hyper Frog: Like a frog, but flyer kicks her legs while in the air.
Cannonball: This can go either left (throw out) or right (swing out from closed). The flyer jumps straight up. The base adds height and directs her motion. When the flyer pulls her legs up in a frog position, the move looks higher. Rock on count 1, step on count 2, down on count 3, jump on count 4, land and sync on counts 5 and 6. This is like a straight or frog, but the follow moves into open position.
Shin Buster: Like a cannonball. Rock on count 1, step on count 2, down on count 3, jump up on count 4, down (land on thigh) on count 5, jump up on count 6, land and sync on counts 7 and 8. The extra thigh move adds height to the move. When the flyer pulls her legs up in a frog position on counts 6 and 7, the move looks higher.
Double Bounce: This is a cannon ball with an extra bounce for both the base and the flyer. Start in closed position. The lead jumps out on count 3, the follow makes a small cannonball jump on count 4, she lands on count 5, the lead makes a small cannonball jump on count 6 and lands on count 7, the follow makes a big cannonball jump on count 8, and lands and recovers on counts 9 and 10. So, the base turns 2 times and the flyer turns 1+1/2 times. When the flyer pulls her legs up in a frog position on counts 8 and 9, the move looks higher.