Stunts Mania
Stunt Mania. Perform enough stunts within the given time to unlock the next level
1. Stunts
Stunts are defined as building performances displaying a person skill or dexterity. Stunting in cheerleading has been previously referred to as building pyramids. Stunts range from basic two legged stunts to one legged extended stunts and high flying basket tosses. There are numerous variations of each stunt, multiple entries and dismounts out of the stunt. Stunts vary at each level (level 1 6 according to the USASF). Each level increases the difficulty of the stunt. There are few recognized styles of stunting, coed, all girl and hybrid. Cheerleading teams are restricted to specific stunt rules based on the guidelines of certain associations and organizations. Therefore, some stunts can be a permitted in certain divisions but illegal in others due to the different stunt regulations. The level of difficulty depends on where the teams stunt and practice as well as the organization they are apart of since cheer associations want to maintain the safety of the cheerleaders by restricting them to try stunts that are too advanced for their level.
2. Flyer
This is the person that is in the air during a stunt. The flyer can also be referred to as the top.The flyer must control their own weight by keeping their abdominal muscles tight to stabilize the spinal column while in the air. In addition, they need to use their shoulders and their upper bodies to pull their weight off their bases underneath them. They also need to lock out their legs. If they do not stay tight, there is a greater risk of them becoming off of their center of balance and falling. They must keep a steady focus on what they are doing. A strong core and good sense of balance are key qualities for a flyer to possess. Flyers may be extremely flexible and have a good sense of balance. In order to do accomplish more advanced skills flyers need to be flexible so they can maintain their balance and position on one leg while pulling other tricks with the other leg. Therefore, the more flexibility a flyer has the more successful their stunts will be. Flyers are typically the shorter and leaner people on the team, but other members can act as a flyer depending on their exceptional abilities. The flyers must always look up and never down. Flyers tend to look out, whether it is into the crowd, or staring at a point on the wall but looking straight ahead will help keep them balanced. If flyers feel like they are going to fall because they cannot hold their balance, be sure to stay tight by keeping legs and arms tight next to the body so they do not hit or hurt the cheerleaders under the flyer holding them in the air.
3. Bases and spotters
Bases are the athletes that hold the flyer or top in the air during the stunt. They are responsible for keeping their flyer in the air, as well as making sure she is safe at all times. Bases are very strong and are usually assigned together based on height to create level platform for the flyer to perform an action. There are few recognized styles of stunting coed, all girl, and hybrid. There are no gender requirements for a base, both males and females can be bases. Bases have the responsibility of carrying out the stunt and keeping the flyer in the air. The bottom person needs to complete every stunt to the exact way it is supposed to be performed in order for it to work every single time, especially when it needs to count the most in a sports game or a competition. Their most important tool is their legs because they use it too extend cradles and basket tosses higher. Both bases at all times, should be looking at their flyer in the air because it is their responsibility to hold them up and keep them safe. If at any time the flyer is falling, both bases should actively try to stop the flyer from touching the floor so they do not get seriously injured. Spotters should stand behind the stunt with their hands together and ready to catch if the stunt for some reason must come down.
4. Main base
This base has the majority of the flyer foot and the majority of her weight. The main base will be almost directly under the stunt until it is cradled or brought down. In a one leg extension stunt, the main base will lift the toe and heel of the foot to increase stability from moving forwards or backwards. With single base extensions the main base with grip onto the heel of the flyers foot having a nice and stable transition. The main base is the powerhouse of one legged stunts because she/he holds a majority of the weight but keeps their arms somewhat towards the center of the stunt to share the rest of the weight with the secondary base. The main base cups the flyers foot from toe to heel, creating a floor for the flyers foot and stability.
5. Secondary base
The term second base only applies when doing a one legged stunt, this position can also be considered a side base. The secondary bases help lift the flyer up into the air and support the flyer foot. The hand position for the side base can vary depending on preference. The more common placement, which is also more reliable and sturdy, is to have one hand under the middle of the foot and the other hand pushing up on the wrist of the main base to lift from underneath. The other approach is to have one hand under the middle of the foot and the other hand on top of the foot for stability. The problem with keeping the hand on top of the stunt is that the side base can tend to push down on the stunt instead of pulling up because they might not be as tall as the rest of the stunt to get their hand on top enough, which can create extra weight for the other cheerleaders on the bottom of the stunt. The second base hand positioning functions to lift and to stabilize the flyer foot from shifting from side to side.
6. Back Spot
The back spot is also called a third . This is the person actively stabilizing the stunt from the back. They help to position the flyer in the bases hands upon entry. They support most of the weight of the flyer. They do so by using their hands to support the flyer buttocks and ankles, and then push her up into the air. Once in the air, they will hold the flyer ankles with both hands, pulling the ankles up to loosen the weight of the flyer for the bases and providing support. When the flyer cradles, they catch her under the arms to support the upper back and neck area. Since the center of gravity for a flyer is their hips, the back spot will always look at the hips while the stunt is happening. The back spot can determine the stability of the stunt by watching the flyer hips. If the back spot follows the hips with her eyes, they can tell where the rest of the body will follow that is why they must make sure that the hips are centered between the shoulders and ankles. If the flyer falls backwards, it is crucial for the back to attempt to catch the head and shoulders to prevent head/spinal injury. Due to the back responsibilities, they are generally the tallest members of the team.
7. Front spot
This is the person standing in front of the stunt facing the back base preventing the flyer from falling forward. The front spot often provides extra support to wrists of the bases in higher stunts such as extensions. The front spot has somewhat of the job of the back spot. Though the front spot is there, a flyer should never fall forward, rather backwards. There is not always a front spot in a stunt, and many squads only use front spots for basket tosses because it helps to throw straight upwards and gives the stunt more height. Front spots are typically the smaller, weaker people of the squad, who have not been trained or are not flexible enough to fly, and are also not at the right height and strength to side or back. Front spots increase the stability of a stunt.
8. Additional hands off spotter
This person does not actually touch the stunt unless something goes wrong. The free standing spot can stand behind, in front, or beside the stunt. Eyes stay on the stunt at all times even though the stunt is not touched unless the flyer is falling. If spotter must touch a stunt, points are deducted.
9. Prep or Extension Prep
A stunt in which the flyer stands on two bases hands and is risen up to chin length height. The flyer may put her arms up. The prep is also called an elevator double base mini or half in some regions. verification needed To enter into this skill, the bases should dip together. The most common way that this is done is with the back spot to count, One, two, down, up. The bases dip together on the down count and push through the legs and arms on the up count. An extension prep is the same thing as a prep but now the bases and back spots arms are fully extended straight up. Keep in mind that for the flyer to be comfortable and stable in this stunt the bases should be spaced fairly close to together in order for the flyer s legs to be shoulder with apart.
10. Cupie or Platform
The Cupie is almost identical to the full extension except that the flyer feet are together, in one hand of a single base or with one foot each in the hands of two bases. In a partner stunt the difference between a cupie and an awesome has to do with what the male is doing with his free hand. If the free hand is on the hip then it is a cupie, if the free hand is in a high V then it is an awesome.
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