Stunting in one of the most exciting parts of cheerleading, but if you don't approach it seriously, it can be no fun and even dangerous. Make sure you master the basics first. Understand and follow all safety regulations completely and carefully. Always use spotters when you are attempting a new stunt. Most importantly only stunt under the supervision of a qualified cheer coach.
Main Bases
Main bases are the powerhouse of any stunt. However, main bases often wrongly identify the source of their power. Many think they need strong arms to stunt. While strong arms help a stunt, they are not the power source. As a main base, your power comes from your leg and butt muscles. When you start a stunt, initiate the power with your legs and butt, later following through with your arms. Dipping deeply and exploding powerfully with your legs will make your stunts build easier and stick stronger. Do not forgot the importance of your core muscles as well. When the stunt is up, pull your abs in toward your spine to keep your back straight and strong to prevent injury.
Back Base
The purpose of a back base, often referred to as a back spot, is to protect the top person. While the stunt is going on, a back base will help it build and stand steady. Never forget your main purpose is to protect the head and neck of the top person should the stunt go awry. As a stunt builds, you should assist the top person in getting up into the stunt. When it is up, you steady the top person by grabbing one or both legs and lifting up. In a cradle, you catch the top person as high as you can. Grab under the armpits and cushion the shoulders with your chest. If the stunt goes wrong, do whatever you can to keep the top person's head from hitting the ground.
Top Person
The top person has a very active role in the stunting process. Topping a stunt is much more than being lifted in the air. As a top person, you must be in control of your body at all times. Help your bases lift you by jumping hard off the ground in your take off, pushing off the bases' shoulders, and staying tight and balanced. When the stunt is up, pull your abdominal muscles in toward your spine and squeeze your butt muscles together. Never look down while in a stunt. Cradle out of stunts with a hollow body position, catching yourself with your arms around the bases' shoulders.
Spotters
Every new stunt needs spotters. Have at least one spotter for every person in the stunt. Make a circle around the stunt, and stand with your hands up and your eyes on the stunt. Focus on the stunt the entire time it is building, and stay prepared for it to fall. No matter what happens, do not let the top person hit the ground. Find some way to stop the descent of a stunt gone wrong. Even after a stunt has been mastered, use spotters whenever they are available.
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