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.

Popularity: 38% [?]

Cheerleading is not only fun and active but also demanding on all parts of the body. But the feet are the ones taking most of the abuse. With tumbling, stunting, and dancing, cheerleading requires a supportive yet flexible shoe made tough enough to withstand constant motion.

Important factors to consider when choosing a cheerleading shoe include price and budget, comfort and support, as well as quality and durability. As with most things, you get what you pay for. Investing in a quality pair of cheer shoes will save money on upkeep and replacement in the long run. Once you have determined your budget, choose a shoe at the upper end of your range that will offer a higher level of quality.

Cheerleading shoes must be comfortable and well cushioned for jumping and tumbling. Stunting requires finger grips or heel grooves with flexible support for adequate safety. Scalloped arches and ankle support are other additional features. A recommended 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.

For those who are in pom squads or squads that don’t stunt, dancing shoes must be lightweight with breathable support reinforced at the heel and ball of the foot. They also need to be flexible and supportive. Rebok’s Sis Boom Rah 2 is lightweight with all the dance essentials and is a very high quality shoe. Nike’s Sideline Cheer has good arch support at a medium price point, and for a few dollars less, Chasse Rocket’s have excellent heal and ball cushioning. Make sure that the shoes have a proper fit for each member of the squad. Allow each member to walk and move around in the shoe. Inquire about the return policy for the shoes you choose.

To determine which functions and aspects of a shoe are most important, it will be necessary to evaluate the activities of your squad. A squad that focuses primarily on tumbling or stunting should prioritize supportive and flexible shoes. If dancing is your main emphasis, shop for more lightweight and breathable shoes. Determining the needs of your squad based on activities will help you choose the right shoe.

Style is another important factor to consider. If your squad is involved in many activities, it may be wise to choose a white shoe with interchangeable color insertions. Kaepa carries cheer shoes that have inserts for two colors and gives you an entire pack of color options including metallics to choose from. They also have a variety of styles and price points available with the color kit.

Permanently colored shoes can also create a bold and sharp look for competitive cheer squads. Try to find a shoe that is easily cleaned and maintained. You’ll want a shoe that can hold up for the entirety of the cheer season.

Popularity: 53% [?]

Do you have what it takes to be a cheerleading flyer? A cheerleading flyer is the person at the top of the list for stunt performers. You have seen her in her cheerleading uniform. It is the girl who gets raised and thrown high into the air. It may be one of the most marvelous positions in cheerleading along with one of the more dangerous ones. It offers a sensational and electrifying feeling of flying through the air.

Cheerleading is a team sport. Each person on the squad is important. In order for a flyer to be successful, she must have great spotters. Weight and height do play a major role in whether you can be a flyer or not. However, if you have the awesome ability and the proper skills you could have what it takes to be a flyer.

An accomplished cheerleader should have what it takes to fill any job on her squad. Part of being a team player means doing the position your team needs you to do. Don’t set limitations by assuming you can only do one thing. You can do anything you set your mind to. However, there are skills and abilities that you will need to obtain to be a great flyer.

First of all, you need to be confident. Attitude can be everything in cheerleading. You must know in your heart that you can do it. If you think you can’t do something, you will sell yourself short in the long run. You must trust yourself and your teammates. You must know that if you fall, they will catch you. Knowing that your teammates won’t let you fall and that you won’t get hurt will help you to concentrate on getting the job done.
You must keep your hips and thighs stable. Don’t ever jolt your legs. You must be able to maintain your own weight. You have to be able to raise yourself with your arms. Maintaining your balance is very important. You must stay very stiff. Use your bases to keep yourself from wiggling. Timing is everything! You have to know what to do and when it needs to be done. Your job is to know when the correct level has been achieved to hit the stunt. You cannot have a fear of heights in order to be a flyer. It is important to keep eye contact with your audience. You will be the crowd motivator. Make sure to show the audience your beautiful smile!

As a flyer, remember to keep your legs tucked in so your feet are off the ground. When this drill is mastered, you will be able to move into stunting. During each stunt, it is important for the flyer to remember to stand up as fast as possible, stay tight, and keep those legs straight!

You need comfortable clothes in cheerleading. When practicing, you should wear cheer shorts, cheer t-shirts, cheer stretch pants, and cheer sneakers. During performances cheerleaders will wear their team’s cheerleading uniforms. It is a good idea to wear a sports bra. If you have long hair you should put it in ponytail. Headbands are good if you have short hair. It is a good idea to have a cheer bag with clothes to change into after a game or the competition. Pom-poms are a great accessory for cheerleaders and are pretty much mandatory.

If you want to be a flyer, you should know that it would take hard work and dedication. It takes a special individual to truly trust your teammates when they are throwing you up in the air. Being a cheerleader is no walk in the park. Cheerleading is not considered to be a sideline activity anymore. This sport involves intense competition, dedication, hard work and a true love for the sport.

Popularity: 97% [?]

When making any major purchasing decision, be it a personal or cheer team purchase, it is pivotal to understand the constraints of a properly calculated budget. This is undeniably true regarding cheer gear and cheerleading uniform purchases for athletic teams. After calculating a budget, the next step in the purchasing process is deciding where to purchase the cheerleading uniforms. The items may be purchased entirely from one retailer or wholesaler, or they may be purchased from several different sellers. The decision of where to purchase cheerleading uniforms should be guided principally by the aforementioned budget.

After tallying a budget and researching various suppliers for the desired cheerleading gear, it is necessary to decide which items, if any, should be name brand, while the remaining items required to complete the purchase will be generic. Name brand gear can usually be purchased for an entire team at a discount by buying from a wholesaler or directly through the cheerleading apparel and gear company itself. Purchasing all of the necessary items (i.e., cheerleading uniforms, shoes, pom poms, etc.) from the same company can also result in further discounts, as dictated by economies of scale and the supplier’s willingness to create a strong seller/buyer bond, or even an exclusive purchasing agreement, with the team. If a price quote for desired name brand cheerleading gear falls within the delineated budget, and the need to purchase name brand equipment is rather strong, then name brand gear is probably a good purchasing decision. However, it is imperative to avoid stretching the budget too thin in the pursuit of more expensive gear, as future replacement, repair, and unforeseen cost considerations must be considered.

It is the expected and unexpected future costs that lend deference to the idea of purchasing generic cheerleading gear as opposed to name brand gear. Generic gear will not only fall within the parameters of more budgets than name brand gear, it can also give a similar air of authenticity without undermining the functionality of the gear itself. It is the opportunity cost of price versus durable functionality that truly highlights the importance of researching the products and the reputation of the suppliers when purchasing generic gear. As opposed to name brand gear, which is generally presumed to incorporate higher levels of quality into its products in order to preserve brand equity, generic gear can come at a lower price but a higher replacement cost. Therefore, product research is vital when choosing appropriate generic gear.

A compromise between name brand and generic alternatives is another way to proceed with purchasing cheerleading uniforms. For instance, a specific team might find it desirable to wear uniforms that bear a brand name logo. On the other hand, the same team may want to cut total costs by purchasing functionally sound gear that happens to be generic. Conversely, if logo-emblazoned uniforms are not a necessity, it might be more appropriate for a team to purchase generic cheerleading uniforms while investing in specific cheer shoes and other more expensive gear that are tailored to the specific type of cheerleading routine that the team performs at athletic events and competitions. For example, shoes with arches and soles that are designed for greater impacts would be necessary for routines that employ a lot of acrobatic jumps and leaps from high positions.

In conclusion, understanding the needs and funds that are available to a singular cheerleader or an entire team, and consequently creating a customized budget that accounts for future necessary expenditures, is the most necessary way to determine whether to buy brand name or generic cheerleading gear. Such a purchasing decision is independently relative to each scenario, therefore no single methodology described above can be universally correct. Understanding individual needs, and the best way in which to satisfy them within the confines of a proper budget, is the underlying bedrock of any major purchase.

Popularity: 83% [?]

Campus Team Wear is now offering exclusive deal and sales on Twitter! Check our Twitter page daily and you can see ongoing sales and great prices on cheerleading uniforms, cheer shoes, cheer socks, camp wear, cheerleading shorts and skirts.

Just go to our twitter page: http://www.twitter.com/omnicheer. With great deals every week on our cheerleading apparel, you can’t miss with Campus Team Wear.

Twitter is the newest micro-blogging tool that allows you to keep track of the latest cheerleading uniforms and apparel promotions.

Popularity: 94% [?]

Cheerleading shorts are essential for cheerleading practice and cheerleading camp. There are many cute styles that are perfect for cheerleading, and here a few of my favorite shorts styles:

1) Soffe Novelty Print Cheer Shorts - These adorable camouflage shorts are available in classic green and in pink (for a cute twist on the original camo)  These jersey knit cheerleading shorts are made by Soffe and feature the same classic cheerleader cut with a v-notch and elastic waistband, but now with a fun novelty print. Available now for $8.95

2) Bermuda Cheer Shorts with 2 Imprints - These comfy jersey knit shorts feature the word “cheerleader” with two White Glitter Imprints on the legs and a drawstring waistband. Available now for only $8.95.

3) V-Band Cheer Shorts - These cheer shorts are perfect to pair with your printed cheerleading t-shirts and cheerleading shoes.

Rather wear a skirt when you are practicing? Check out the Lycra Cheerleading Skirt With Built In Short.

And don’t forget to look for the newest styles of cheerleading uniforms for your squad!

Popularity: 83% [?]

Cheerleading shoes are extremely important to ensure that you your feet are well supported during cheerleading jumps and choreography.  Finding quality cheer shoes that look great with your cheerleading uniform can be difficult, but you can definitely find shoes that fit your needs in your price range. Whether you are looking for cheerleading shoes with all the bells and whistles or affordable shoes that provide good support, I have some great options for you below:

1) Chassé Flip Cheer Shoes - Specifically designed for cheerleading, this popular shoe style is only $17.95 and has stylish colored inserts. These cheer shoes are also composed of lightweight, supportive leather/synthetic upper and feature a compression molded EVA midsole for light weight cushioning. The scalloped arch and heel for stunt control is a major bonus!

2) Nike Musique Cheer Shoes - Now only $40.95 at Campus Team Wear,  the Nike Musique is a an attractive cheer shoe with forefoot and heel double lasting for enhanced stability. This shoe also features double lasted phylon midsole, internal flex grooves for enhanced flexibility and a non-marking rubber outsole.

3) Asics Gel Comp 2 Cheerleading Shoes- Featuring the GEL Cushioning System in the heel which attenuates harmful shock during landing, the Asic Gel Comp 2 is a slightly more expensive shoe at $51.95. Asics is a popular brand and the Gel Comp 2 is a solid, well-made shoe.

4) Nfinity Passion Cheer Shoes - At $74.95, the higher priced Nfinity Passion has a lightweight full grain leather and sateen upper and is slip lasted for more flexiblity and control. Plus, this cheerleading shoe comes with a FREE anniversary case!

5) Kaepa Jump Cheerleading Shoes - The Kaepa Jump is a reasonably priced shoe at $31.95 and is lightweight compression molded midsole for light weight cushioning. This cheer shoes has a scalloped arch with finger notch in heal for improved stunt control and color inserts.

Popularity: 74% [?]

With the summer almost upon us, it is time to begin selecting new cheerleading uniforms for the next school year. Chassé and ZOE Cheer are offering new cheer uniform styles that are sure to excite. Check out the the stylish Chassé Double Knit Diamond Cheerleader Shell Top (only $17.95), which can be paired with either the Chassé Double-Knit Knife-Pleat Cheer Skirt ($19.95) or the Chassé Double Knit Star A-Line Cheer Skirt ($19.95).

Another new cheerleading uniform style is the ZOE Sweetheart Cheerleading Shell Top ($16.95) which works well when paired with the ZOE A-Line Panel Cheerleader Skirt (only $16.95) and the Nike Sideline Cheer ($31.95) - always an excellent cheerleading shoe choice.

A revolutionary new cheerleading uniform style is the Chassé Nylon Stretch Sequin Cheerleader Uniform Top ($29.95). This style features Ultra-lite 12.5 oz. Nylon/Spandex stretch and silver sequin V-neck design. The top is perfect when matched with the Chassé Nylon Stretch A-Line Cheerleading Skirt ($24.95) and the Metallic/Holographic Mix Pom ($8.45).

One of my favorite classic cheer uniform styles is the ZOE Cross Over Cheerleading Shell Top ($16.95)  featuring cross over striped taping. The top works great when featured with the ZOE A-Line Cheerleader Skirt ($15.95).

To check out more cheerleading uniforms, go to Campus Team Wear.

Popularity: 100% [?]

It’s time to start thinking about purchasing new cheerleading uniforms, practice wear, cheer shoes and accessories. All of your cheer wear and cheerleading activities can definitely be a huge expense, so that’s why it’s a great time to start fundraising to earn money towards your cheerleading uniforms and more.

The best cheerleading fundraising cards I could find were the FUN”D” 2 RAISE Cards. These scratch off donation cards fare a great to raise money for your team. Sponsors scratch off to reveal their donation amount, between 75¢ to $3.00. They are only $5.00 each and allow you to raise $250 dollars per card!

http://www.cheerleadingonline.com

Popularity: 66% [?]

It’s important to add style to your cheerleading uniforms to create a polished and fashionable look. Some great ways to add flair to your cheer outfits include cheer bows, totes, socks, shoes and pom poms. Here are some of the latest looks in cheer accessories:

1) 2 Color Sequined Cheer Hair Bow: This color sequined hair bow is a cute and sparkly addition that will brighten up your cheer uniform. Made by Chassé, this cheer bow features a white ribbon and metallic ribbon with sequins that is available in thirteen colors.

2) I Love Cheerleading Bag: Add this funky and fun bag to  your cheerleading outfit. The I Love Cheerleading bag features a red sequin heart with a zipper pocket and a zebra print. Perfect for carrying any of your cheer gear or personal items.

3) In-Stock Metallic/Holographic Mix Pom: Show your style and flair with some metallic/holographic poms! This pom features a metallic color with holographic silver and has a streamer length of 3/4” W X 6″. These pom poms also have Baton handles and approximately 1400 streamers per pom. Made by Chassé.

4) Cheer Shoes with Color Inserts: The Chassé Flip is the ideal cheer shoe to accessorize with your cheerleading  uniform. Featuring color inserts to match your cheer uniform, these shoes have a circular tread design rubber outsole for secure traction along with a scalloped arch and heel for stunt control.

5) Heart and Meg Flip Crew Sock: Show your cheer spirit with these fun socks! Perfect for cheerleading jumps and stunts, these cheerleading socks have a white anklet with the word cheer at the top of socks and flips down to reveal vibrant hearts in fourteen different colors and black megaphones.

Popularity: 90% [?]