The Best Cheer Stunts

In the sport of cheerleading, teams often create stunts in their routines. Stunts are made up of bases, spotters and flyers. In a basic stunt, there are four cheerleader bases and one flyer, who is hoisted into the air and must perform a stunt trick in the air. Spotters are there to make sure that if the flyer falls, she will be caught. These stunts increase in complexity based on level and competition.

  1. Full Extension

    • A full extension is the stunt with which all other stunts must begin. A full extension at its most basic level is two bases holding a flyer up above their heads with their arms straight. The spotter must have her hands firmly on the flyer's ankles so as to keep the flyer steady and in position. Once the flyer is up and balanced, other stunts and tricks can be performed for the judges and the audience.

    Scorpion

    • A scorpion is an advanced stunt that is often seen in the higher levels of competitive cheerleading. A scorpion is formed when a flyer is held up in the air, shifts her weight to one leg, brings the other leg up behind her and then grabs her foot behind her head, lifting it high above her. It gives the shape of a scorpion in the air, and can be a challenging stunt for a flyer to pull off. It requires skill, flexibility and precision, as well as accuracy and support from all other members of the team.

    Torch

    • The torch stunt is another stunt that a flyer must perform for the team. After being lifted into a full extension, a flyer must thrust both of her arms into the air in a high V shape. In addition, the flyer must lift her leg up and bend her knee in, keeping in a straight line. This is a stunt that requires strength and flexibility, and all members of the team must be able to help the flyer succeed.

    Liberty Cradle

    • Another great cheerleading stunt is the Liberty Cradle stunt. This is a stunt that is often performed in higher level or college co-educational teams. In this stunt, the base is a male member of the team, and the flyer is held in the air by the base's one hand. Both her feet are firmly placed in the palm of his hand, as she raises her hands into the air in a high V formation. She must stay straight as an arrow, and he must have the strength and accuracy to keep her in the air.