If you’re thinking about getting into cheer, there are things you should consider before trying out for a squad. You’ll need to do more than just learn the basic motions, stances, jumps, and chants to prepare for cheer tryouts! We recommend that, in addition to developing strength and flexibility, you consider various cheerleading stunt positions as part of your training and preparation.
“Stunt positions” refer to the specific roles each cheerleader takes on during a stunt, such as bases, flyers, and spotters. Each position has a dedicated role in the stunt group, from flying in the air to being at the foundation of the stunt: catching, lifting, and spotting the flyer. Today, you’ll learn about the various cheer stunt group positions and the responsibility they have in the stunt group. Then, about some of the myths related to these positions, when you follow along with the experts from Omni Cheer.
Main Positions
The three main cheerleading stunt positions include bases, flyers, and spotters. These three positions are included in every group of cheerleaders planning to do a stunt. Here’s an overview of what each position does and where they stand.
Bases
This cheer stunt group position includes lifting, holding, throwing, and catching the flyer while ensuring they remain as stable as possible throughout the stunt. There is always at least one base in any stunt, but the majority of the time, there is an additional base to support the stunt group.
In one-base stunts (often called single-base or partner stunts), the base is positioned directly under the flyer’s foot, especially in one-legged stunts. They grip the toe and heel to provide maximum balance and support. In two-base stunts, each base supports one of the flyer’s feet, with hands placed carefully under the sole. Precise hand placement is crucial in both types of stunts, as additional positions, such as back spots or side bases, often place their hands nearby to help stabilize and protect the flyer throughout the stunt.
Flyers
The flyer cheerleading stunt position is the person performing jumps, twists, tosses, etc. As a flyer, you should work on strengthening your core, perfecting your balance, and, depending on your skill level, practicing a variety of different stunts in the air, including flips, twists, toe-touches, motions, and more. Flyers need to be flexible, strong, and balanced in order to perform a stunt safely.
Spotters
The final cheer stunt group position is the spotter. Their main role is to support the stunt group with extra lift power and stability, and provide extra protection for the flyer from the front or back of the stunt during tosses and dismounts. Typically, there are one or two spotters in a stunt group, but the number of spotters can increase based on the complexity and difficulty of the stunt itself. The main spotter will typically stand in the front or back (sometimes there are spotters in both areas), with supporting spotters positioned to the sides or surrounding the stunt group.
Like the name suggests, back spotters stand directly behind the base(s) and the flyer. Back spotters will typically hold onto the flyer’s waist to help load them into the stunt, and then will support the flyer’s ankles during the stunt. When dismounting, the back spotter will assist the bases with catching the flyer safely.
The front spotter cheerleading stunt position is relatively rare to see because the rules do not require it. However, some coaches prefer the added safety of a front spotter for complicated stunts, placing them in front of the team supporting the flyer. The front spotter offers crucial support in catching the flyer, especially in stunts like a basket toss.
Common Myths
There are tons of movies and shows about cheerleading that inspire young students to join a squad. However, they get a lot of things wrong about cheer stunt group positions. We’re here to set the record straight about the most common cheerleading myths.
You Get to Choose Your Position
You might get to request a specific position, but your coach is always the one who determines which role you’re best suited to perform. They need the team to be as balanced as possible, so if someone else has better skills for the position you want, they might have your dream spot. You can enhance certain skills for a specific cheerleading stunt position, but trust that your coach has the team’s best interests in mind when they choose your spot.
Body Type Determines Your Position
False! You don’t need to look a certain way to get different positions on the squad. Cheerleading stunt positions are determined by skills and abilities, as opposed to body type. Not every flyer is the thinnest, shortest member on the team, and not every base is a buff bodybuilder.
Gender Determines Your Position
Just like body type, gender doesn’t have anything to do with the skills you have to offer a certain position. Your skills are the most important consideration in a stunt position.
If You’re Flexible, You’ll Be A Flyer
While flexibility is pretty important for flyers, it’s not the only skill they need to succeed. Flyers must be well-rounded athletes with great strength, balance, and control in addition to their flexibility. Focus on developing all of these skills if flying is your dream position.
Different Cheerleading Stunts
There are tons of different stunts you may perform as a member of the cheerleading team, ranging from tosses, one-leg stunts, and two-leg stunts. Check out a few of the most popular ones to discover what you can expect from your training.
Thigh Stand
This is one of the most basic stunts, and likely the one you’ll learn first if you’re in one of the cheerleading stunt positions. The bases and spotters will kneel or lunge on one knee with their legs in the perfect position for the flyer to stand with one foot on each thigh. Ideally, your cheerleading shoes have enough grip to stabilize you in this position, but the base and spotter will need to support you with a hand on your ankle or calf.
Extension
An extension involves the base holding both of the flyer’s feet one-handed above their heads. Flyers must maintain their balance while shaking pom-poms over their own heads or posing with their arms raised. Sometimes, an Extension is done with one hand under each foot.
Teddy Sit
For this stunt, the flyer sits in a straddle or split position while the base or bases lift them up in the air. With a single base, this stunt is performed with one hand under each thigh. However, this stunt is more commonly performed with multiple bases, where one or two bases support each leg of the flyer as they sit in the split.
Enhance Your Cheerleading Skills
Now that you understand a little bit more about cheerleading stunt positions, you’re better equipped to start training to join your team. Once you’re successfully on the squad, they’ll teach you about their favorite cheer warmups and carry-all bags, as well as the uniform you’ll be expected to wear as part of the team. While some schools subsidize all the equipment and clothing you need for your cheer squad, others require parents and students to contribute.
Ensure you’re ready for everything the cheer life has to throw at you when you check out our article about the costs of cheerleading and keep up with the newest training techniques on our blog. Make Omni Cheer your number-one resource for all things cheerleading and stay prepared!
