A lib -- or liberty -- is a cheerleading stunt for more advanced cheerleaders. A lib requires three bases -- cheerleaders to support the stunt -- and one flyer, the person who will be held in the air. During a liberty, the flyer is held by the bases on one leg. To successfully perform a liberty, a stunt group must work together for the safety of everyone involved. When performed correctly, a lib can be incorporated into any dance or cheer for a crowd-pleasing visual.
Base Steps
Step 1
Use bases of similar heights. The bases are those who will support a majority of the flyer's weight during the lib. Stand 3 feet apart with your feet planted firmly on the ground and your knees slightly bent.
Step 2
Position your arms at waist level with your elbows touching your sides and the palm side of your hand facing the ceiling. Your hands are going to be awaiting the arrival of the flyer's foot. The stronger base should hold a majority of the flyer's weight.
Step 3
Raise the flyer into the air. As the flyer's foot makes contact with your hands, lift with your legs as you extend your arms completely overhead. Straighten your knees and keep your feet positioned shoulder-width apart. The weaker of the two bases can place her hands around the flyer's ankle to the bottom of her foot to help support the stronger base.
Back Spot
Step 1
Use a tall back spot. A back spot serves as an additional base to alleviate the weight of the flyer as well as to help propel the flyer into the air. A taller back spot will be better able to reach the bases' arms, allowing for better support.
Step 2
Hold the waist of the flyer. As the flyer jumps into the hands of the bases, place your hands around her waist and help her jump.
Step 3
Add support to the liberty. Place one hand on the ankle of the flyer and put the other hand on the wrist of the main base for support.
Flyer
Step 1
Stand with your feet positioned shoulder-width apart and your feet flat on the ground. Position your hands on the shoulders of the bases.
Step 2
Lift one foot and place it in the hands of the main base. Use the foot on which you are most comfortable when balancing.
Step 3
Instruct the back spot to count to two. On the count of one, bend your leg on the ground at the knee. On the count of two, propel yourself up into the air.
Step 4
Straighten your leg -- the leg you will be standing on -- as the bases raise you into the air. Once you are completely up in the air, bend your other leg at the knee and position your foot against your other knee. This will make a right triangle or a flamingo stance with your leg. Keep your back straight and look straight ahead to maintain your balance.
Tips and Warnings
- Have a trained cheerleading instructor available as you learn to perform a lib.
- Perform a lib on a mat for the safety of those involved in the stunt.
Things You'll Need
- Gymnastics mat
References
- Cheerleading Information Center; How to Do a Cheerleading Liberty Stunt; December 2009
- "The Ultimate Guide to Cheerleading"; Leslie Wilson; 2003
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