Twist-ups are an exciting variation to add to the beginning of many of your cheerleading stunts. In a twist-up, the flyer starts with her back facing the crowd and executes a 180-degree twist to end up facing the crowd. Using safe progressions, master twist-ups with your elevators prior to adding them to any extended stunts. Once mastered, twist-ups can also be added to an extension, liberty or other extended stunt.
Main Bases
Step 1
Face each other with feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent, keeping your torsos straight with your shoulders over your hips. Cross your right hand over your left and hold your hands level with your belly button.
Step 2
Start by having the base who is on the right side of the back base grab the flier's right toe with her right hand and right heel with her left. Note that the flier starts with her feet crossed. The left base does the opposite. On the designated count, dip down, bending with your knees and shooting up with the legs and arms. As the flier ascends above your head, twist her foot by uncrossing your hands, turning her 180 degrees to face the front. Do not lose contact with the flier's foot at any point. Keeping your hands firmly on the toe and heel, simply turn her foot to face forward instead of backward. The flier's foot should be above your head when she finishes the twist.
Step 3
Settle the flier into an elevator position, with her foot at your shoulder level. Resist the urge to rest her foot on your chest. In this ending position, your legs should be locked with your feet about hip-width apart.
Back Base
Step 1
Stand at the back of the stunt with the flier facing you. Your feet should be staggered with one foot in front of the other. Squat as deep as necessary to get your shoulders even with the main bases' shoulders.
Step 2
Grab the flier's shins just below her knees. On the designated count, dip down and then shoot up, assisting the flier by pushing up on her shins to give her height for her twist. Shoot straight up, not forward or to either side.
Step 3
Grab the flier's legs as soon as she is facing forward. Initial contact should be made as high up on the flier's leg as you can reach when her feet are above the main bases' heads. Allow your hands to slide up her legs as she settles into her elevator position. End with your hands on her thighs, steadying the stunt.
Front Base
Step 1
Start at the front of the stunt with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees and point your toes out slightly.
Step 2
Grab the flier's waist before she loads into the stunt. On the designated count, dip and lift the flier up by her waist. Flick your wrists up and shoot her as high into the air as you can. Keep your eyes on her as she twists forward, grabbing her only if the stunt is going wrong.
Step 3
As soon as the flier settles into her elevator position, turn around to face the crowd. Step forward slightly, moving away from the stunt before hitting your ending pose.
Flier
Step 1
Stand in the front of the stunt with your back facing the crowd. Your hands should rest on the main bases' front shoulders.
Step 2
Place your right foot in the right base's hands. Since you are facing the back, the right base will be on your left side so you will cross your feet over to reach her. One beat before the designated count for stunting, dip down, bending your left leg and pushing off the ground. Gently place your left foot in the left base's hands, crossing your left leg behind your right. As the bases dip down on the designated stunting count, ride the bounce down and shoot up in the air, straightening your legs and pulling your ankles together as you twist to your left. You should finish your twist when your feet are above the bases' heads.
Step 3
As the bases lower you to the elevator position, keep your body tight. Squeeze your butt muscles together and pull your core muscles in to help steady yourself. Once you are in the elevator position, sharply hit the designated arm motion to finish the stunt.
Tips and Warnings
- Master a basic elevator prior to attempting a twist-in. Talk about how you will lower the flier out of the stunt before attempting the stunt. Use as many spotters as you have available. Spotters should form a circle around the stunt with their arms reaching up and their eyes on the stunt at all times. Instruct spotters that under no circumstances should they allow the flier to hit the ground.
- Do not practice this or any stunt without the supervision of a qualified coach.
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