Stunting involves a great deal of strength and coordination. When one or more cheerleaders lift another in the air, there is an element of danger involved, but by mastering easier stunts prior to moving on to more difficult ones, you can make your squad's stunting experience safer. Always stunt only under the supervision of a qualified coach.
Beginner
Beginner stunts should be mastered by all cheerleaders prior to moving on to more difficult stunts. After mastery of the beginner stunts, coaches should still drill the beginner stunts to make sure cheerleaders remember all the basics of a stunt. An example of a beginner stunt is a thigh stand, in which two bases lunge and a top person stands with one foot on one of each of their thighs. A back base is not required for this stunt but will make the stunt a little safer. If used, the back base should hold the top person's waist and help to keep the stunt steady.
Intermediate
Once a few beginner stunts can be performed on a consistent basis, a stunt group is ready to move on to some intermediate stunts. Like beginner stunts, these should be drilled so that technique becomes second nature to the cheerleaders. An elevator, also called a half elevator or an extension prep, is an intermediate stunt all cheerleaders should know. It requires two main bases and a top person. Again, regulations do not require a back base unless the stunt dismounts using a cradle, but it is a good idea to use one. A top person stands with her feet held at shoulder level in the hands of two main bases. If you use a back base, she should grab the top person's calves and help lift up to steady the stunt.
Advanced
Cheerleaders should show consistent and confident mastery of a shoulder-level elevator prior to attempting this stunt. Once ready, a full elevator, also know as an extension, can be attempted. An extension is very similar to an elevator: A top person stands with her feet held by two main bases; however, in an extension the main bases' arms are extended overhead and completely straight. Because this is an extended stunt, a back base is required by safety regulations. Once the stunt is extended the back base might no longer be able to reach the top person's calves. She should grab her ankles, still lifting up to help steady the stunt.
Elite
It is impossible to overstate the importance of safe and appropriate progressions in stunting. Do not let your cheerleaders try any elite stunts until they have mastered the lead-up stunts required. Before attempting any elite one-foot stunts, cheerleaders should have solid mastery of an extension. In a one-foot stunt like a liberty, balance is vital, so the top person also should be required to show mastery of a liberty position on the ground before attempting this skill in the air. In a liberty, the top person stands on one foot with her other leg bent, its thigh parallel to the ground and its foot near the knee of her standing leg. A main base holds the top person's foot with one of her hands on the toe and the other on the heel, while a secondary base grabs the arch of the top person's foot and the back wrist of the main base. The back spot grabs the top person's ankle or calf with both hands and pulls up, steadying the stunt.
References
- American Association of Cheerleading Coaches & Administrators: 2011-12 School Cheerleading Rules
- Ms. Pineapple's Cheer Page: Beginner Stunts: Thigh Stand
- Varsity: Skills and Drills - Stunting Basics - Stunt Dictionary
- Ms. Pineapple's Cheer Page: Intermediate Stunts: Extension Prep
- Varsity: Skills and Drills - Advanced Stunts - Elevators
- Varsity: Skills and Drills - Elite Stunts - Ground-up Liberty
Member Comments