Back hip circles begin from a regular cast when the gymnast leans the shoulder back off support. When the body is coming back to the bar, but before it makes contact, the gymnast’s aim is to complete the skill with a straight or hollow body that moves around in a single unit. After the shrugged-shoulder straight-arms cast, the gymnast moves her shoulders off support to begin the single unit circle around.

Once the gymnasts are performing fair back hip circles by themselves, they can work on increasing their cast amplitude. Gymnasts should continue polishing the hollow body shape and minimize piking while circling.