Like every specialized activity, formation skydiving has developed its own vocabulary — a set of terms, phrases, and acronyms that communicate specific concepts, techniques, and procedures unique to the discipline. Understanding this terminology is essential for anyone who wants to participate in formation skydiving, and it is fascinating cultural knowledge for anyone interested in the sport more broadly. This guide covers the core vocabulary of formation skydiving.
Formation Categories and Event Types
Formation skydiving events are categorized by the number of skydivers in the formation and the format of the competition. The most common categories are 2-way, 4-way, and 8-way, referring to the number of skydivers in the formation team. 2-way events typically involve two skydivers building a sequence of formations, while 4-way and 8-way events involve larger teams working simultaneously.
Indoor skydiving, using wind tunnels for training, has developed its own event categories that parallel outdoor formation skydiving. The terminology is largely the same whether referring to tunnel flying or freefall formation building, and many FS competitors train extensively in wind tunnels before applying their skills to outdoor jumps.
Canopy formation — the discipline of building formations under canopy rather than in freefall — has its own terminology, much of which parallels the freefall formation terminology but with the added complexity of canopy aerodynamics and the hazards of canopy-to-canopy proximity flying.
Grip Points and Formation Geometry
The specific locations on the body where a flyer docks with a base skydiver are called grip points, and each grip point has a specific name that communicates exactly where the dock should occur. Understanding grip point terminology is essential for following formation sequences and communicating dock assignments.
Common grip points include the ankle grip (holding the base skydiver's ankle area), wrist grip (holding the forearm or wrist), elbow grip (holding the upper arm), shoulder grip (holding the shoulder area), and head grip (holding the helmet or head area). The specific location and technique for each grip must be understood by both the flyer and the base skydiver.
The overall shape of a formation is described by its geometry — how the bodies are arranged relative to each other. Star formations have skydivers arranged radially from a center point. Diamond formations have four skydivers in a diamond pattern. Catavault formations involve a skydiver holding onto the feet of another skydiver while both are in freefall. Each formation in the standard sequence has a specific geometry that must be precisely maintained for the formation to be considered complete.
Movement and Approach Terminology
The way a flyer approaches a formation to make a dock is described using specific terms. A divebombs approach involves flying toward the formation from above, using altitude as the primary approach vector. A flat approach involves approaching from the side at the same altitude as the target. A belly-to-back approach involves the flyer approaching from directly behind or in front of the base skydiver's body.
The dock itself is described by the type of contact made. A clean dock is a perfectly executed dock at the correct grip point with the correct approach angle. A sweep dock involves the flyer sweeping across the base skydiver's body to reach the grip point, which is used when the direct approach is blocked. A grip adjustment is a minor repositioning of the flyer after the initial dock to achieve the correct final grip point.
The speed of the dock is also described. A fast approach involves deliberately increasing closing speed to complete the dock more quickly, typically used in timed competition rounds. A slow dock is a deliberate, controlled approach that prioritizes accuracy and formation quality over speed.
Scoring and Competition Terms
In formation skydiving competition, formations are scored by judges who evaluate each formation based on its completeness, the accuracy of grip points, and the stability of the formation at the moment it is photographed or called. The judge's eye captures a formation at a specific moment, and the scoring reflects how closely the captured formation matches the ideal geometry.
Clean formations receive a perfect score for that formation. A no-grip formation — where the dock was attempted but the grip was not achieved — receives a zero for that formation. Intermediate scores reflect partial completions of the formation, where some but not all grip points were achieved.
The time window — the period during which formations are scored — is strictly defined. In 4-way competition, the standard time window is 35 seconds from the exit of the first skydiver. In 8-way competition, the time window extends to 50 seconds or more. All formations must be built and documented within the time window, and no formations begun after the window closes are counted.
Safety and Procedure Terms
The break-off altitude and procedure is a critical safety term in formation skydiving. At a predetermined altitude — typically communicated during the pre-jump briefing — all skydivers in the formation simultaneously release their grips and track away from each other to establish safe separation before deployment. The break-off must be coordinated and complete, with no skydivers remaining in formation below the break-off altitude.
The formation organizer — the most experienced skydiver in the group — is responsible for calling the formations, managing the sequence, and ensuring safety throughout the jump. In competition, the organizer is typically the fourth skydiver in a 4-way team, who flies at the back of the formation and has the best overall view of the formation and the environment.
Jumpers are assigned positions in a formation — 1, 2, 3, and so on — based on their role in the formation sequence. Each position has specific responsibilities and specific formations they will be building. Understanding your position assignment and your role in the sequence is essential for participating effectively in any formation skydiving jump.