Technique Tip: Hands Free Secretary Drop
- Aerial Physique
- Jan 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 9
This week we’re focusing on Hands Free Secretary Drop, a variation that many aerialists find more approachable than the traditional version.
What makes it feel safer? This version includes a supportive safety wrap on the leg, instead of relying entirely on grip strength and exact timing to hook the foot. The traditional version is an open drop, this version isn't.
While the drop itself looks similar, the set-up is quite different. Watch the video breakdown below for step-by-step guidance on this intermediate level skill.
✔️THE SET-UP
Begin from Hip key
Swim the tail behind your back, grab the pole with both hands and sit up.
Turn away from the silk as you separate your legs dropping the tail off between them.
Make a big circle with your leg around the tail, then scoop and lift your leg up high to create a wrap around it.
Key over back to your Hip Key position and find the center of the poles.
Bring the top wrapped leg to meet the center of the poles.
Optional pull split.
Pass the top leg through the center between the silks.
Press the silk you’re holding forward (like a cupid), then place it behind your back and turn toward your wrapped leg side.
Arrive in your sitting 'Secretary' position
To walk it down: Pass your head and shoulders to the wrapped leg side (left in the video), grab the silk that is behind your back with both hands. Lower yourself down lifting your bottom (right) leg up and slightly to the right until it connects with the poles, extend your wrapped leg behind you. Recommended to walk it down many times until you get the hang of it!
To go for the real deal (hands free): Pass your head and shoulders to the left (wrapped leg side) as your free leg (right) lifts up and veers slightly to the right to connect your foot with the pole, the wrapped leg unhooks and extends behind you.
Arrive safely due to the safeties around your leg!
🔸TO EXIT
To exit, bend the your top leg, reach above your knee with both hands
Unwind the wrap on your leg, use your left hand (if your right knee is hooked) to pass the tail up and over your head to your right shoulder.
Grab the pole with both hands, lengthen the leg of your hooked knee, press hips forward, pull up and key over back to where you in start in Hip Key!
😰 WATCH OUT POINTS
Lifting the leg up high after your circle and scoop the tail is likely the most difficult part of the set-up. It asks for hamstring flexibility , hip flexor strength and core control.
🔥Hot tip - slippery leggings actually work in your favor here to help the wrap slide up high on your leg!
Make sure the wraps are truly up high on your leg before going for the drop, you don't want it around your knee at all.
Please walk it down a bunch before going for the real deal! Make sure you have plenty of height and factor in any stretch in your silk.
If you miss the foot to pole connection in the drop, you might bobble a little and best case reflexes kick in and you hook your knee, but you won't fall out of the wrap due to the safeties on your leg. ⚠️ As always, please practice new skills with a qualified coach present and a proper crash mat in place.
This skill, plus hundreds more, is included in Aerial Physique TV, your aerial sidekick for training and teaching. It’s our library of tutorials, live class replays, lesson plans and more, all organized so you can find what you need fast.
Instead of scrolling Instagram for “inspiration” and accidentally losing 30 minutes, you can search by skill name, level, and apparatus, save your favorites, and build playlists. Basically, it’s like Netflix, but for aerialists. 🎬
