STUNTS

Great Stunts are what many cheerleading squads strive for. Stunts add flair to a cheerleading routine. Stunts can be used to help lead the crowd with a cheer. They can also be used during music segments to build excitement or difficulty in a competition routine.

Safety Tips

1. ALWAYS have an advisor, coach or adult watching at all times.
2. If anyone feels uncomfortable or unsure about a stunt, don't do it.
3. Always be serious about what you are doing. If someone can't stop laughing, take a break.
4. Spotters and bases- never take your eyes off the flyer, they are trusting you.
5. Flyers- be sure that you have complete trust in your bases and spotters.
6. Be sure your on a good surface. (Don't build on concrete, ouch!)
 

Skills, Abilities and Tips on Basing

• Trust - You must trust your squad members and them you.
• Confidence -Be confident and have a good attitude.
• Use Your Legs and Arms - Lift with your legs, that is where the majority of your strength should come from. It should progress from your legs to your shoulders and then your arms.
• Keep Your Back Straight - Bending your back or leaning will cause you to use your back to lift and may cause injuries to it.
• Timing - Bases must be in time with each other, they have to know when to dip, when to step and when to lock. Practice this without a flyer actually going up to avoid injuries. Synchronize your moves and make sure everyone knows what to do and when to do it.
• Foot Placement - Keep your feet shoulder-width apart to stabilize yourself and the stunt.
• Placement of Bases - Bases should stand no further than the flyer's shoulder width apart from each other.
• Don't talk during a stunt. Only the coach or person calling the stunt should talk.
• Know how to catch your flyer. Although this is technically the spotters job, a good base should be capable of catching the flyer and assisting. The flyer should never fall and hit the ground.
• Be prepared and alert at all times. Maintain good eye contact on the stunt and don't become distracted. Stay focused regardless of what is going on around you.
• Practice good safety guidelines. Safety should be your top priority.
• Smile and have fun.

Skills and Abilities Needed To Fly

• Confidence - Attitude is everything. Know you can do it, because if you don't think you can, you probably won't.
• Trust - You must trust your teammates and them you. If you trust them totally, you know that if were to fall, someone will be there to catch you. With that out of the way, you can concentrate on what needs to be done.
• Stay Tight - Keep your hips and thighs tight (pinch a penny). Don't push out with your legs, this could spread your bases apart.
• Use your arms - You should be able to hold your own weight. Lift yourself with your arms and help your bases.
• Balance - It's much harder to hold someone up when they are wiggling around. Stay as stiff as you can and let your bases help balance you.
• Timing - Everyone in a stunt should know what to do and when to do it. All stunting should be done to a count. The flyer should know when the proper level has been reached to stick, hit, or pull the stunt.
• No fear of heights. A respect for heights is okay, but you can't be afraid of them.
• Keep eye contact with the crowd. When the flyer is up she/he should motivate and involve the crowd.
• Smile. Have fun and let everyone know it.

Skills, Abilities and Tips on Spotting

• Attentive - A spotter has to pay attention to what is going on. They should not be easily distracted or lose their concentration.
• Fast Thinking - A spotter must be able to react quickly to any situation.
• Teaching - A spotter can help in teaching the flyer by building up their confidence and trust. If the flyer knows she will be caught, she can focus more on her flying technique.
• Timing - As with all positions in stunting, the timing of the spotter has to be perfect.
• Saving - Spotters have to know how to save a stunt and not be afraid to do so.
• Fearless - A spotter can not have any fear of catching the flyer or of being hurt by doing so. If anyone is to hit the ground, it should be the spotter.
• Keep Your Eyes on the Flyer - Unless a spotter has to check a grip, their eyes should be on the flyer at all times.
• Maintain Contact with Flyer - Whenever possible the spotter should keep in contact with the flyer. This not only helps balance the stunt, but it will make the flyer feel more confident and secure.
• Know How to Catch - If the flyer should happen to fall, the spotter should know how to catch her head and neck first. By catching the head and neck, the spotter can prevent the most serious of injuries. The spotter (and bases) should also catch the flyer at the highest point possible. This helps slow her descent.