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Group Gymnastics: Full of Impact! A Showcase of Spectacular Large-Group Stunts

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Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

Group gymnastics, where teammates work together to create a single performance, always bring extra excitement to sports festivals.

Among them, techniques performed by large groups not only amaze and move the audience, but also give the performers themselves the greatest sense of accomplishment.

In this article, we introduce group gymnastics techniques that can be performed by five or more people.

We’ve gathered a selection of powerful moves, including classics like the pyramid and the fan.

Please be very careful to avoid injuries, and give them a try!

Group Gymnastics: Full of Impact! A Showcase of Big, Large-Group Stunts (11–20)

Cactus Wall

Challenge the elementary school PE body-building exercise group gymnastics skill 'Cactus Wall'! Everyone can do it!

Cactus Wall

A big move adapted from the Cassiopeia and Cactus formations in group gymnastics: the “Cactus Wall.” The key point of this move is that it’s a team technique for five or more people.

With five people, three form the base and two stand on top.

The two on top join hands, and the two people at the ends of the base extend their arms sideways to complete the shape.

If you have more than five people, adjust the number in the base accordingly.

This technique values horizontal connection more than height like a pyramid, letting you feel the bond with your teammates.

Try incorporating it into your group gymnastics routine.

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Niagara Falls

Let me introduce a group gymnastics move called “Niagara Falls.” It looks incredibly dynamic with many participants, but the structure is very simple.

In pairs, make a wheelbarrow shape; once you’re holding your partner’s legs, place them on your shoulders.

Line up many pairs side by side and you’re done.

Even senior kindergarteners can do it, so it’s great for sports day.

It’s simple, but to make it look powerful, the key points are keeping balance to the signal, moving quickly, and holding your partner securely so they don’t fall.

Practice is important to synchronize everyone, but it becomes a spectacular, crowd-pleasing move—so definitely try adding it to your group gymnastics routine.

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Cassiopeia

A technique inspired by Cassiopeia, one of the constellations that shines in the night sky.

The move is based on how Cassiopeia looks like an M or a W: two people on the top row perch on the knees of three people on the bottom row, with the bottom row providing solid support.

Even with just the top row mounted, it can resemble an M, but there are variations that emphasize the constellation by adjusting the angles of the top row’s hands.

While it’s typically performed by five people for conceptual balance, its simple structure means you can also extend it horizontally to create a longer sequence, which would likely energize the crowd.

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Brocken

Group gymnastics in threes and fives

Brocken

A recommended big move for the climax of group gymnastics is the “Brocken.” It’s perfect for five or more people! In this formation, the bottom row is on all fours, and the middle row places their hands on the waists of the bottom row and bends at the hips.

Arrange two people in the middle so that their hips touch, positioning the four in a symmetrical layout.

Then one more person stands on top and strikes a pose.

Because the middle row must support the person above with their hips, it’s important to place sturdier individuals there.

The base is stable, and unlike a pyramid, the risk level isn’t as high, so even younger children may be able to try it.

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hairpin bends

Recommended for small-group acrobatics! Introducing “Tsuzuraori.” The pose is beautifully formed, and its structural elegance gives it outstanding visual impact.

The structure is very simple: one person first takes a “horse” position.

The second person places their hands on the first person’s shoulders, and the third person climbs onto the first person’s back and places their hands on the second person’s shoulders.

Finally, the second and third raise one leg, and it’s complete.

It’s a move that looks impressive even with a small group.

Because the shape can change with balance, the three performers need to synchronize their timing.

Be sure to try incorporating it into your acrobatic routine.

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Biwako Ohashi (Lake Biwa Bridge)

Also recommended for the climax of a group gymnastics routine! Let us introduce “Biwako Ohashi” (Lake Biwa Bridge).

Because it’s performed by many people, it looks very striking.

The basic rule is to support the feet at each position, moving from left to right and right to left.

Starting from the person on the end, you connect like a bridge.

It’s a highly impressive, showy move.

Because the shape can change depending on balance, the positions of the people in the middle are important.

Since it involves a large number of participants, everyone needs to synchronize their timing.

Try adapting it creatively to suit the size of your group.

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[Group Gymnastics] Full of Impact! A Roundup of Big, Large-Group Moves (21–30)

tower

Human pyramid

tower

The tower is an iconic skill often used as a highlight in group gymnastics routines.

Like a pyramid, it involves building upward, but it is often performed in a standing position, which allows for greater height.

This makes balance more difficult, so it’s important to plan formations with safety as the top priority.

The appeal isn’t just in stacking many tiers; even a two-tier tower can convey height, so we recommend compositions that emphasize thoughtful placement and formation.

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