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Stunting and Safety Guidelines
Rules for Stunting
Practice stunting area should be matted and free of obstructions
Ceiling needs to be high enough for stunts and tosses
All students must have a current physical on file and accident insurance coverage before participating in any element of cheerleading
All cheerleaders must complete an emergency treatment release form
Cheerleaders must wear proper clothing and shoes for the activity
Cheerleaders must be physically able to participate in the activity of the day. If ill or injured, they must notify the coach immediately.
An emergency plan is posted on the cheer bulletin board with emergency phone number, facility phone number and address with the name of the cross street
All cheerleaders must learn the rules and pass a written test before doing any stunting
No one can stunt unless the coach is present and carefully monitoring the building of stunts and pyramids
All cheerleaders will follow the stunt progression, starting with the basics and mastering each stunt before moving on to the more advanced levels. (A written chart will be kept on each cheerleader. Both the coach and cheerleader initial the chart when a stunt is successful performed 5 times in a row.)
Everyone must learn proper spotting technique before stunting
All cheerleaders will only perform legal stunts at practices, games, assemblies, performances and competitions according to the National Federation of High School Spirit Rules.
The coach needs to approve all stunts performed at games and other public activities
The cheering surface at games must be checked before performing perfected stunts to be sure it is dry, safe and free of obstructions
These rules will be strictly enforced throughout the season. Failure to follow these rules will cause suspension of the cheerleader from the squad.
Basic Rules for Stunting
Cheerleaders need to learn in progression to understand the basics of stunting, starting with the easiest movements and advancing step by step through each level.
Cheerleaders learn basic climbing techniques, body awareness, strength and balance in order to perfect a stunt and maintain safety.
Trust needs to be developed between the bases and flyers of each stunt group.
Coaches need to evaluate and determine the proper ability level of each cheerleader and therefore set a standard of care. Each coach and cheerleader should use a stunt progression chart.
No one should talk while stunting except the coach or the third base.
While stunting, the third base calls out everything – the stunt that is being performed, when to start, when to break, when to cradle, etc.
Every stunt should be done to a count so that everyone has the same timing.
Everyone should know when to bend and when to lock.
Everyone should know what position she has and what her job will be during the stunt. Each position is important. Be sure cheerleaders know that stunting is a team effort.
Stunts should be smooth and controlled. Every person in the stunt should be working together in one synchronized movement. Timing is as important to proper stunting as strength.
Parts of a Stunt
Bases
Base should know how to catch before attempting any stunting.
Two bases should stand no further apart than the width of the flyer’s shoulders
Base needs to control her hips in order to maintain stability and balance
Base bends her knees and distributes her weight evenly over the knees, ankles, toes and keeps her back straight
Base should not lean forward when the flyer loads into her hands
Base needs to know that the primary power is centered in her legs
Base starts with legs approximately shoulder-width apart. As the flyer loads into the hands of the bases, the power explodes from the legs first, through the shoulders, and up through the arms, which lock out at the top of the stunt. Legs and arms should lock out together at the top of the stunt.
Bases should not back up while stunting.
Base should feel no weight in the transition from the load-in until the stunts hits the top. arms of the bases should be kept close to the body. Thrust should be carried from the legs, through the shoulders and up through the arms. Make sure that at the top of the stunt, the bases’ arms are completely locked out and the bases are looking up at the flyer.
When cradling, the bases use their legs, bending at the knees, and pop through the shoulders, flicking their hands and fingers, to propel the flyer upward.
As the bases are cradling, their arms stay extended to catch the flyer. When the flyer lands, the bases’ arms immediately tighten to resist the downward movement of the flyer.
When catching a cradle, base needs to absorb in her legs, not her back
A good beginning drill for the bases is simulating the stunt without the flyer. Often, the back spotter can be the “pretend flyer” by using her hands in the place of the flyer and pressing downward.
Flyers
Flyer should know how to fall
Flyer should never permit her feet to more than shoulder-width apart
A good beginning drill for a flyer is step/lock
Loading into a stunt, the flyer must be aware of the initial weight distribution. Flyer must know when, where and how to place her hands, feet, and other body parts on the base and she must be able to maintain balance.
Flyer should hold her weight in her arms as she loads into a stunt. She should not bend her arms and let her bottom drop as she places her feet in the bases’ hands. As bases dip, she must straighten and lock her body as the bases elevate her into the stunt. It is must easier for the bases to control a tight flyer than a loose, out-of-control body.
As progression occurs, flyer needs to understand and master body alignment. Flyers should always keep their shoulders and hips square as though their body is in a cylinder or column. This concept prevents the body from falling out of alignment.
Flyer must trust her bases. Her primary job is to maintain a tight, controlled, squared body.
Back Spotter
Back sp otter is the most important person of the stunt. She is the one that controls the start and finish of the stunt. Most often, this cheerleader is the tallest person in the stunt group.
Back spotter must watch the flyer’s hips since they are the center of gravity for a flyer.
Back spotter needs to be aggressive and have quick reflexes.
Back spotter protects the flyer’s head, neck and shoulders while cradling
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