A ground-up extension, sometimes called an express extension, is an advanced cheerleading stunt similar to a ground-up liberty. You need four cheerleaders to do this stunt: two main bases, a back base and a top person. Before attempting to do this stunt, make sure your stunt group has mastered an extension that presses up from an elevator position, at shoulder level. Try this stunt only under the supervision of a qualified coach.
Top Person
As the top person, prepare for the stunt by standing behind your main bases with your hands on their shoulders. Place your right foot in the hands of the base on your right side. Dip deeply with your left leg, pushing hard off the ground and gently placing your left foot in the hands of your left base. Ride the bounce down and then use your hands to push off the bases' shoulders, shooting yourself up into the air. Pulling your abs in toward your spine and squeezing your butt muscles together will help you balance yourself at the top of the stunt. Keep your feet hip-width apart and your legs locked out. Hit a high V motion when you reach the top.
Main Bases
Main bases start facing each other with your feet hip-width apart and your knees deeply bent. Place your hands palms up at belly-button level. Keep your elbows tightly pressed into your sides and your torso straight. The base on the right will have the top person's foot. Both bases should remain in place as the top person loads into the left base's hands. As the left base gets the top person's foot, both bases dip down deeply and explode up using first the leg and butt muscles and finally the arms to lift the top person straight up to an extension above your head. Keep your arms straight and slightly forward with your eyes on the top person. Pull your abs in toward your spine to protect your back and keep it from arching.
Back Base
As this is an extended stunt, a back base is required to make it legal. Stand behind the top person with your hands on her hips and your knees deeply bent. Assist the top person as she loads into the stunt. As the extension starts to rise, lift up on the top person's waist, helping the stunt ascend. As the top person gets too high for you to reach her waist, grab her ankles and pull them up and in a little, helping her keep her feet close together.
Spotters
At least four spotters should be used when learning this stunt. Spotters should make a circle around the stunt, keeping their arms up in the air in a ready position. Spotters must stay aware during the entire stunting process with their full attention focused on the stunt. The golden rule of spotting is, "Never let the top person hit the ground." If the stunt goes awry, spotters should do anything they can to stop the descent of the top person. However, the top person should never reach for the spotters. She should pretend they are not there.
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