Cheer stunting can be both an exhilarating and terrifying experience. Executed properly, a stunt draws gasps of amazement and awe from a crowd. But if every movement and action isn’t performed properly, it can be both dangerous and frightening.

There are two components to a stunting team, the bases and the flyers. Both members must know and be comfortable with each step of the process. All stunts should be practiced and performed on an even surface with proper spotting.

Starting from the elevator position…

Bases:

The bases should stand in a shoulder to hip width stance, squarely facing each other (see step1). They should decide on a designated count series such as one, two, down, up to ensure synchronized timing. This is called the dip and pop (see steps 1 through 3). The dip and pop must be done using the muscles of the legs and not the arms or back. At the moment of the pop (see step 3), the bases should powerfully explode in an upward motion to the point where their toes almost leave the ground. This is not a jumping motion.

Simultaneously, the bases’ arms should extend straight upward in a locked position to propel the flyer. The bases’ eyes must remain fixed on the flyer at all times. As the flyer descends, the bases catch her in an absorbing motion. To do this, it is important to catch her at the highest point possible to decelerate her landing (see step 5). The bases’ knees should bend with the catch(see step 6). After a brief pause, the bases will gently pop the flyer back into a standing position so that she lands in front of them.

Flyers:

A flyer should be comfortable with her bases and familiar with the beginning count series. During the entire stunt, the flyer should stay tight, keeping all muscles squeezed. On the pop, the flyer should pull herself upwards as she is being released from the bases’ arms. Her body should lean backwards (see steps 3 and 4), never forwards, with her back arched and belly facing the ceiling. Arm positioning is up to the flyer but must always remain tight and locked. Never pike during the stunt.

At the top of the toss, as soon as she begins to descend, the flyer should shift into a V position (see step 5), bending at the hips with her legs straight out and toes pointed. The flyer should always keep her abdominals engaged to support her back. She should catch herself on her bases, allowing them to pop her off into a sharp, finished position.

Remember that it is important for cheerleading teams that are active in stunting to have the proper shoes for support and to reduce injury. When looking for cheer shoes, it’s important to have finger grips, heel grooves, smoother traction on the bottom (flyers, your bases will be thanking you later), and flexible support. A recommended stunting shoe is the Asics Gel-Comp 2. They offer all of these features and are a good investment because they are durable. If the budget is a little tighter, the next best choice would be the Asics Cheer 5. It’s a comfortable shoe at a comfortable price, while maintaining quality.

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There is no doubt that finding an enjoyable extra curricular activity for a child is important in developing their athletic, social, and cooperation skills. Competition is important, but even more significant is the exercise and discipline a child gains through cheerleading and teamwork. It is helpful to ask a series of questions directed at coaches and your child to find a program that is well suited for the individual.

What Program is right for your daughter or son?
The first step in selecting a cheer squad and coach is to consult your son or daughter regarding where their interest lies and what they hope to gain from such a program. School sponsored cheer programs are the most popular, and through these programs, your child will be active all year around providing support for the various seasonal sports teams. Youth leagues (such as those found at the YMCA and Pop Warner Leagues) that are not affiliated with a school are another option, and this is appealing because your child will be in contact with a different set of kids. For those that are experienced in cheer or athletics, an All-Star program provides an opportunity that may involve travel.

How safe is the program?
It is critically important to address this question for the safety of your son or daughter. When looking to select a squad and coach, find out what type of certification (first aid, CPR, etc.) the coaches possess. Ask questions regarding the age and reliability of all equipment that will be used, and determine the skill level of all instructors with respect to the skills they will be teaching. Make sure that prudent steps to ensure safety have been implemented, such as the use of spotters and whether or not jewelry and sharp hair accessories are allowed.

How is the program conducted?
Learning the ins and outs of how a program is conducted will help make for a positive cheerleading experience for your child. Determine if the tryout procedure is fair and thoroughly explained, and make sure that all practices fit into everyone’s schedule. Discipline for negative behavior can be dealt with in many ways, so be sure it is in line with your personal philosophy. Finally, determining the finances of a program when you select a squad or coach will ensure that your child does not suffer because of inappropriate handling of funds. Do they supply cheerleading uniforms and travel costs? Do they participate in fund raising or are the funds privately handled?

What more can be done?
Be sure and talk to anyone you can, from coaches to parents to current squad members, and determine their level of satisfaction. Attend a few practices and talk to your child about their expectations and commitment level.

Once you and your child have selected a cheerleading team, remember that it is important to prep them before joining. Before tryouts, it may be necessary to enroll them into tumbling and dance classes. You might also want to invest in practice cheer gear. A good pair of cheerleading shoes are a must and will help prevent injury. Trusted brands that offer great support and longevity are Nike, Asics, Power, Keapa, and Chasse. Chasse also offers great practice wear like their Lycra skirts with built in shorts and matching tops. They also offer cute tees and cheer shorts that show cheer spirit.

Once you and your child have been prepped, and you have taken the analytical approach when you select a squad and coach, you can ensure that your child gets the most out of the experience. Good luck!

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When you’re trying out for cheerleading, it’s important to know how you should look, act, and perform. These tips will prepare you for your cheerleading audition from the night before to the very end of tryouts.

The night before your tryout, make sure you get in plenty of restful sleep. Staying up late can break your concentration. Make sure you’re eating a well-rounded diet with plenty of protein, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid dieting to lose weight, as you’ll quickly become lethargic. The day of your tryout it’s important to look your best. Wear your hair in a pony tail or pinned securely in a bun. If your hair is too short for this, slick it back with a secure elastic headband that won’t fall off during your routine. Remember that hair ribbons and headbands with your school colors show school spirit!

Also, wear clothes that fit you well and are easy to move in. Avoid baggy pants and oversized tee shirts as they move around too much and can obstruct the judges’ view of your motions. Practice shorts and a fitted t-shirt are good choices. As listed in our previous article, Soffe shorts are great for tryouts because they come in a variety colors. If you really want to look the part, Chasse makes cute lycra cheer skirts that come with built in shorts-perfect for stunting, jumping, and kicking. Remember to wear light weight tennis shoes that offer support. Some good basic cheer shoes to have in your arsenal of practice gear are Nike’s Sideline Cheer, and for those on a budget, Chasse Rocket’s are the perfect fit. Also keep in mind that this is not the time to be thinking about being over-the-top stylish or piling on the glamour. Stay away from jewelry, glitter, excess makeup, and long fingernails.

Before the tryout beings, prevent injuries by making sure you warm up thoroughly. Even if you’re feeling nervous and stressed out, put on a positive, self-confident attitude before you walk through the door. Remember that cheerleading is a team sport, and tell each girl good luck. Avoid a catty or competitive attitude. Be enthusiastic and smile, but remember to keep it real and natural. A fake smile and overacting is easily detected by everyone. As you’re trying out, make sure you speak with a loud, clear voice and say each word clearly - pronounce each T and R, and don’t slur. Use plenty of vigor and expression- nobody wants to listen to a robot! If you’re asked to do something you aren’t sure about, feel free to ask the judges for clarification. If you happen to make a mistake, keep on smiling and performing as though nothing had happened. By continuing your routine, often the judges won’t even pick up on what happened. If you happen to flub a certain movement, ask for a retry-not all judges will allow this, but it never hurts to ask. Once you’ve finished, make sure you thank the judges and coach, and then leave with a smile on your face.

While nothing can guarantee you a spot on the cheer squad other than the judges and coach, these tips should help you out. No matter what the result, remember you did your best and be proud of your efforts!

Stay tuned for our next article on making sure you accomplish your cheer goals by learning how to choose a cheerleading squad and coach that is a perfect fit for you.

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