How to Create a Cheer Routine With Basket Tosses & Cradles

A basket toss is a cheerleading stunt in which a cheerleader is tossed into the air. A cradle is a kind of catch used to complete the toss and return the cheerleader to the ground. While in the air, the cheerleader may strike a pose, such as a spread eagle or split. Basket tosses and cradles are often incorporated into a cheer or dance routine.

Things You'll Need

  • Mat or flat surface
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a piece of music or a chant to which to perform the routine. If performing to music, choose a song with a steady beat that is easy to count.

    • 2

      Measure the beats of the song or chant in 8-counts. Choreograph the routine using 8-counts. Assign a step or move to each count in an 8-count series. Allow 16 counts for the basket toss and the cradle, including recovery from the cradle to standing position.

    • 3

      Fill the counts before a basket toss with easy moves so that energy is saved for the stunt. Avoid performing hard jumps, tumbling or other stunts immediately before the basket toss, as cheerleaders need time to catch their breath before the basket toss. If performing multiple basket tosses, space the stunts apart to allow cheerleaders to recuperate energy.

    • 4

      Fill the four counts immediately before a basket toss with clapping, which helps all the cheerleaders to coordinate beats so that everyone is counting together before executing the stunt.

    • 5

      Arrange cheerleaders into groups of four of five, depending on the number of people involved in each stunt. Basket tosses and cradles require a flier, two bases and a spotter, but it is helpful to have a fifth person serve as a second spotter. Allow sufficient space between stunt groups so that each group can safely execute the stunt.