How to Be a Flyer for Cheerleading Stunts

Get lean. Flyers have to be lightweight to be held and thrown around. That doesn't mean that you stop eating but your body needs to be tight and lean. You still have to be strong and have great core (ab) muscles to hold yourself. Also, take gymnastics lessons to learn to tumble. Gymnastics will teach you how to flip and, most importantly, how to fall.

Take ballet classes. Ballet will teach you balance and control. Being a flyer, you are often balancing on a person's hand or shoulders and you need to learn how to keep your balance even in the most difficult of circumstances. Ballet will also teach you flexibility. Ballet is all about stretch and control and these will benefit you greatly when you're on top of a pyramid or flying through the air.

Watch experienced flyers do their tricks. Watch them do each trick several times to get the timing and small preparatory movements down such as a plie' or twist of the hips. Get to know your support team, or those who will be holding you. You need to be able to trust them. The best form of trust is friendship so, hopefully, you can develop friendships with each of them.

Practice stunts on the ground first. Go through the arm movements and think through the twists and flips. Being mentally prepared is a big part of being able to do stunts well. You have to have confidence that you can do the stunts well. Have a coach watch you go through the arms and ground prep and give you corrections.

Go up on the fly. Practice a few dry runs, where you don't do the full trick just prepare and then pretend to do it. When you're ready, and your coach and spotters say it's time to fly, go for the trick full out. Have confidence in yourself and just think of it as another run through like all the others. Have fun and you'll do great.