Icarian Games (Risley)

The Icarian Games, also known as Risley, is a specialized acrobatic discipline where a base lying on their back uses their feet to juggle and balance a top performer. The base pushes the flyer into the air, catching them with their soles. It is one of the oldest group circus acts still performed today.

The discipline traces its roots back to ancient Greece. The name 'Risley' comes from Richard Risley Carlisle, an American gymnast who popularized the act in the United States in the mid-19th century. However, the foundational foot-juggling techniques are documented in much older historical texts.

The base uses the soles of their feet to make contact with the flyer's body, usually targeting the hips, back, or shoulders. By keeping their legs slightly bent and using their core for stabilization, they can absorb the shock of the flyer dropping. The base then extends their legs powerfully to launch the flyer into the next trick.

During training, performers rely heavily on thick crash mats to prevent serious injuries from high falls. In professional circus performances, however, the act is often executed without safety nets to maintain an unobstructed view of the danger and skill. The trust between the base and the flyer is paramount to executing flips safely.