How to Train Safely for the Smooth Criminal Anti-Gravity Lean
(Professional Perspective by Matt Walsh)
Disclaimer
This article is for educational and professional insight only.
I’m a trained performer with years of conditioning, coaching, and technical support from certified dance and fitness professionals. I work under strict supervision using custom footwear, engineered staging, and safety protocols.
Do not attempt this stunt without professional training, proper rigging, and expert supervision. Injury can occur if attempted independently.
The Origins of the Lean
The legendary “anti-gravity lean” seen in Smooth Criminal has roots in classic Hollywood choreography. The visual concept can best be traced to a Bob Fosse 1953 musical film, Give A Girl A Break, in which Kurt Kasznar performed a 45-degree, gravity-defying forward lean that later inspired Michael Jackson’s creative direction.
Michael also drew wardrobe and movement cues from Fred Astaire’s 1953 number The Girl Hunt Ballet from The Band Wagon. The suit, hat, and silhouette were tributes to Astaire’s suave stage persona — but Michael’s goal was to turn cinematic illusion into a live concert reality.
How It Was Done on Film
In the Smooth Criminal short film, the effect was achieved the traditional Hollywood way — with concealed support wires and sound-stage rigging. If you watch the restored 4K footage closely, you can faintly see tension lines supporting Michael and his dancers during the extreme tilt sequence.
That system, however, is not portable or safe for live performance. When Michael attempted a manual lean onstage during the Bad World Tour in 1988, he relied solely on timing and balance—a modest attempt that didn't elicit the visceral reaction he'd hoped for.
Engineering the Impossible
According to designer Michael Bush, it was his creative partner, Dennis Tompkins, who developed the early-stage prototype that would later be patented as U.S. Patent No. 5,255,452 (granted in 1993).
The design combined:
- A modified loafer resembling Michael’s signature Florsheim-style stage shoe.
- A steel shank insert with a V-shaped cutout in the heel.
- A metal peg mechanism mounted in the stage floor that could rise and lock into the heel slot.
When engaged, the peg and shank created a temporary anchor point strong enough to let the performer lean forward beyond their natural center of gravity. Once the move ended, the mechanism retracted seamlessly back into the stage.
The Physical Training Behind the Illusion
Even with mechanical support, the lean demands enormous core strength, hamstring flexibility, ankle stability, and balance control.
In my case, my regimen includes:
- Targeted core conditioning and isometric holds for lower-back endurance.
- Controlled hamstring stretches supervised by our dance coaches.
- Slow-motion lean drills wearing non-rigged shoes to maintain natural muscle recruitment.
- Strength work for the ankles and calves to manage controlled descent and return.
Again, these are professional-grade training elements, designed to condition the body for performance safety — not an instructional guide for replication.
Why Safety Is Non-Negotiable
The anti-gravity lean is equal parts engineering and discipline. Even with proper rigging, the smallest alignment error can cause severe strain or falls. That’s why our team always rehearses the stunt:
- On verified stage hardware only.
- Under supervision from multiple dance coaches.
- With redundant safety checks before each show.
The illusion is powerful precisely because it’s controlled — not because it flirts with danger.
Experience It Live
Witness the stunt performed safely and authentically during
MATT WALSH Presents: The Michael Jackson Tribute Show
Tour dates and booking information: https://mattwalshco.com