I think that stunting is different because the skills you learn when performing different types of stunts doesn't just rely on one single person. This is done in a group effort, a stunt group that is. Now a stunt group can consist of different numbers of people depending on the stunt or pyramid being performed. Typically, the basic stunt consist of four members; they are the two bases, a main base and a secondary base which are place on the left and right sides of the stunt. Depending on the stunt these members may have to perform different tasks, but in a basic stunt they will be demonstrating the same skills. The third member is called a back spot, they are placed in the back of the stunt. Then the fourth member is called either a flyer or top. This member is the one who is being put up in the stunt, the person that everyone sees. This does not mean that most of the responsibility of the stunt is on her, even though she is being tossed in the air, she is dependent on the members underneath her. They control her, they basically give the flyer her stage for performing. Each member needs to learn how to work together, and at times of frustration learn how work through it as a team. It's like the whole cheerleading team is broken in to mini teams each time a stunt is performed. Needless to say, each member is equally important, and without one you will have none.
The bases are the main powerhouses for the stunt group. They are the two members on each side of the stunt and are in control of the flyers feet, and for higher skills foot. The main base is typically placed on the right side, this is because the majority of cheerleading teams have their flyers complete their one legged stunts on the right leg. The main base needs to have the dominant control over that foot in one legged stunts. In a two legged stunt the have equal control of the flyer with the secondary base. In two legged stunts, timing is crucial. The bases need to work in sync, they basically control the timing of the entire stunt. Having off timing can potentially mess up not only the flyer and the back spot, but it can mess up the entire stunt. By not being on time, problems can occur easily. Sometimes the entire stunt group realizes they are off timing and they fix it, other times they get to flustered and fail to put the stunt up. Timing is the most important because each member is going at a certain pace, they have practiced a stunt at a specific timing rate, and when one person is off everyone can be off and be going at different paces. if everyone is moving at different times, the stunt will not be completely smoothly. Typically stunts are wobbling due to off timing, go up late (in comparison to other stunt groups), or the stunt will go up and fall. Having a stunt fall is dangerous for each member, that is why every member in a stunt group needs to be tentative to their surroundings.
The back spot is important in a stunt group because they are sometimes needed for different things in a stunt. They can be used as an extra power house, they can be used to boost the stunt up, they can be used to control the stunt and flyer, and they also are important because back spots help the bases. Without the back spot the start of a stunt would be much more difficult. They are placed in the back of the stunt, and in loading or starting position they begin with their hands on the flyers hips for two legged stunts, and an ankle and the seat of the flyer for one legged stunts. This is how the back spots give stunts their extra boost. They are assisting mostly the flyer at this point. For two legged stunts the back spot helps the flyer up and into the hands of the bases who can then from their lift the flyer to the desired high which is either at shoulder height or at the extended level which is when the bases and back spots arms are fully extended. For one legged stunts, which back spots push the flyer to the top, there hands are positioned on one ankle and the rear of the flyer. This helps the flyer reach their designated position so they are able to get there and fully straighten out their knees. The back spot and the bases are also responsible for catching the flyer in a cradle for the dismount. After the flyer is up in the stunt the back spots main responsibility is to "pull up" (in cheerleading terms). Back spots pull up on the flyers' ankles or ankle which helps relieve weight off of the bases. Even though there is only one flyer, stunting is harder they just lifting a girl up in the air. After the skill is finished in the stunt, the final step is the dismount. Back spots and bases need to make sure they catch the flyer fully and the flyer should not land below the bases mid torso level. The bases are responsible for catching the torso and legs of the flyer by cradling them at waist and just below the rear so that the flyers legs are up. The back spot is responsible for cradling the upper portion of the flyers body and catches them underneath their armpits with their forearms.
The flyer is the main attraction in a stunt group, they are the person that the audiences' eyes are all on. It is important for the flyer to contribute to the work of the stunt group. In the loading position the flyer should be able to hold their own body weight with their arms locked out on the bases shoulders. It is important for them to do this because it makes it easier for the bases and the back spot to get under neath the flyer before suspension into the air. When a flyer is lazy, it makes the harder for everyone. Supporting their own weight also makes it easier for them to push off the bases shoulders which gives them momentum to be able to stand up straight. After the flyer is loaded into the bases hands and has pushed off their shoulder, the next step is to stand up straight. After reaching the designated level for the stunt there are a few techniques that a flyer must always keep in mind to make sure the stunt is done efficiently. The most important of those techniques is to lock their knees. Whether the flyer is on one leg or both they must keep their legs locked. Locking the knee provides stability to the flyer, especially when performing a skill in the stunt. There are only certain times where a flyer is supposed to bend their knee. When a flyer starts to unlock his or her knee the stunt tends to wobble. Wobbly stunts are not only points off from the judges, but can also lead to a stunt falling. Flyers should also focus on not "toeing" or "healing" in cheerleading terms, this is when the flyer distributes too much weight to either their toes, or their heals. When a flyer toes or heals they are making it more difficult for the bases to provide a surface of stability for the flyer. Flyers should try to remain flat footed the entire time, when a flyer begins to toe or heal the stunt tends to become wobbly which would result in points being taken off by the judges. Another technique that flyers need to remember to do is to stay straight. Most of the time when a flyer feels unbalance they begin to stick out their bottoms, this is referred to as "butting out of a stunt". When the flyer begins to "butt" out of stunt, it usually doesn't end well. Sticking your bottom out towards the back of the stunt distributes the majority of the flyers body weight to the back of the stunt, which leads to the flyer dropping backwards, resulting in a dropped stunt. All of these techniques are important because each one of them can lead to a dropped stunt which is potentially dangerous to each member of the stunt group. If every member of the stunt group focuses on their own responsibilities the stunt should flow smoothly.
Sometimes stunts are performed during while a cheer is being chatted. Typically in this situation the flyers are the ones being watched the most because they are in the air performing both the cheer and the motions that go with the cheer. Once again all eyes will be on them, therefore it is important for them to be sharp. Flyers should have tight motions, straight wrists, and good facial expressions.
Attaches are pictures of basic stunts: one at the half extended level (shoulder height), the fully extended level, and of the most basic one legged stunt which is called a liberty.
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