Long before acrobatic competition came onto the modern scene acrobatic shows have been. Acrobatic performances have occurred in a multitude of venues. Whether it is on Muscle Beach in California, stage shows in Las Vegas, street performers in every major city, or the travelling circus, acrobatic entertainment has been a mainstay.
Shows are a vital part of developing a competition program. Shows can be used for advertising and promotion. Shows also give athletes experience in performing skills that help reduce nervousness in competition due to the additional show experience.
The founders of competition acrobatics all performed in shows. As a competitive industry, we need to keep the long term perspective. A competitive career ends in early adult hood. But acrobatic performance does not need to end until middle age. There is a prime window for a young adult to work as a professional performer. The love of performing acrobatics should not end with the competitive career. The sport industry tends to think that competition is the end instead of the means. The founders saw sport as a means of refining and increasing acrobatic ability, with the end as a professional performer.