Oh The Many Stunts You Can See!

Now that I have explained the job of all the members of the stunt group, I will now talk about all the many different stunts that cheerleaders perform. This blog post will have a series of videos attached so that my audience will be able to visualize the stunts that I talk about.

First, I will talk about the different skills that can be performed at the half extended level. Half extended stunts are typically what you see in youth cheerleading, it is a safer level for them to perform at. Higher-level cheerleaders use half extended stunts as support stunt groups for pyramids, or as connecting or transition stunts. Connecting and transition stunts are stunts typical used when connecting a row of stunts, or when in transitioning between one stunt to another. These stunts usually are used in the pyramid and cheer portion of a routine. Stunts performed at the half extended level are less difficult, but this doesn’t mean that they can’t be transformed into a more interesting stunt. Here are a few half extended stunts with a little added skill.

This is a half twist up to a half: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk5uvGzBXcw

This is a full twist up to a half: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-fcrG0Xmr8

This a 360 to the load in position: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE991cEUVCo  (This stunt can also be done to the half extended level)

This is a 1 and a Half twist to a half: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7g113Acb3E  (can begin watching 5 minutes in to see stunt)

Next is the full extension level, this is where things get fun, and sometimes dangerous. Performing stunts at this level need to be throughly practiced on a safe surface. 

This stunt is a 360 to a full extension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S4Uw8v09XM

This is a one legged heel stretch, full extension, with a twist down pop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVy23sfxPPA (The stunt begins at 1:42)

This is a full up to a one legged heel stretch, with a double twist down pop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PoYzZJ0RyA

This a one legged stunt called an arabesque, at the full extension level with a twist down pop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsGAvcJ2AKo  (The stunt begins at 1:50)

This a one legged bow and arrow stunt at the full extension level: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NcdvMCbkz8

This is a full up to a one legged full extension stunt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3CRwBaMpBo (Stunt begin at 3 minutes in)

This is a one legged liberty tic toc at the full extension level: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6KbxqeaO9s

This is a full extension full around: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQUHPCoPuDg (Stunt begins at 3:30)

Next is the basket toss category. These stunts involve five members: two bases, a back spot, a front spot or spotter, and a flyer. These are automatic release stunts, which means the flyers are thrown in the air from the load in position, performs a skill, and then is caught by his or her bases.

This is one of the most common basket tosses for more advanced levels, it is a single kick twist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6DFtHx8tyA

This is a double kick twist basket toss: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgBQ3yRQeJw

This is a tuck toss basket toss, this stunt is only allowed in college cheerleading and higher levels of all start cheerleading: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKlr1aPHEZc

These are all just a few of the many stunts one can witness being in the audience of numerous cheerleading competitions. These are the skills that cheerleaders work for, together as a team. They work together to put on an exciting performance for their audiences. Cheerleaders deserve more recognition then they currently receive.