American Cheerleader Magazine » Stunts http://www.americancheerleader.com Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:00:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Stunt School: The “Ultimate” Stunt http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/stunt-school-the-%e2%80%9cultimate%e2%80%9d-stunt/ http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/stunt-school-the-%e2%80%9cultimate%e2%80%9d-stunt/#comments Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:24:42 +0000 Staff http://www.americancheerleader.com/?p=3280 The Ultimate Athletics Large Senior Level 5 team showcases its elite stunt sequence.

By Craig Callaway; All Photos by Curtis Callaway

American Cheerleader February 2010


This stunt sequence is legal for USASF Levels 4 and up.

1. START: The team sets up in seven groups.


2. LOAD: The back group loads for a Basket Toss facing forward. The two inside groups load in facing each other, but staggered in separate rows. The last two groups load in behind them, with each top girl grabbing the ankles of the top girl in front of her. Two final groups set and wait off to the side for the end of the stunt.


3. LAUNCH: On the designated count, the back group throws a Toss kick full. The two inside groups throw their top girls up and out, while the last two groups launch their top girls up and out as well. The last groups of top girls never lose contact with the first.

4. CATCH: The inside top girls are caught by the final group of bases. The outside top girls are caught by the bases of the inside groups.

Have you tried this stunt? What’s your favorite Basket Toss? Comment below!

]]> http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/stunt-school-the-%e2%80%9cultimate%e2%80%9d-stunt/feed/ 9 Tuck Everlasting: Tuck Arch Basket http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/tuck-everlasting-tuck-arch-basket/ http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/tuck-everlasting-tuck-arch-basket/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:18:13 +0000 Staff http://www.americancheerleader.com/?p=2939 How to perform a tuck arch Basket Toss.

By Craig Callaway; All Photos by Curtis Callaway

American Cheerleader October 2009

This skill is legal for levels 3 and up.


1. START: This is a side view stunt, but the group sets facing forward, with the top girl in the middle, a base on both sides and a back spot behind her. A front spot can be placed in front of the top girl if needed.

2. SET: The bases prepare with a Basket Toss grip. The top girl places her hands on the bases shoulders and her right foot on top of their hands. The back spot grabs the top girl at the waist.

3. LOAD: As the top girl hops into the basket, the bases pivot to the right so they’re now facing the side. The back spot assists the top girl into the Basket and turns with the group.

NOTE: The top girl’s seat should not drop below her knees when she’s in the bases’ hands. If she does this, she may shoot backward on the toss or fail to get sufficient height.

4. TUCK: On the designated count, the bases boost up the top girl, the power coming through their legs and follow through with their arms. The top girl pushes off the bases’ shoulders and drives herself up into the toss. There are a variety of grips for the back spot. One option is to place her hands under the bases’ hands and follow through. At the top of the toss, the top girl hits her tuck position.

5. ARCH: Upon hitting the tuck position, the top girl immediately shoots out into the arch position with her hands tight at her sides. NOTE: In school rules, it’s illegal for the top girl to throw her head back, so keep your chin on your chest if you’re with a school squad.

6. CRADLE: The group finishes in a cradle position. Bases, make sure you keep your hands up high to slow the top girl down into the cradle. Also, keep your legs about shoulder-width apart so you don’t knee her in the back. Back spot should scoop under the top girl’s arms and make sure that she keeps her hands in fists to avoid a thumb or finger injury. The top girl should tightly grab the bases around the neck and keep her legs in a pike position when landing.

What’s your favorite stunt? For more ideas, click here!

]]> http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/tuck-everlasting-tuck-arch-basket/feed/ 18 Got Your Back: Back Half from a Cradle http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/got-your-back-back-half-from-a-cradle/ http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/got-your-back-back-half-from-a-cradle/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:07:01 +0000 Staff http://www.americancheerleader.com/?p=2930 Spirit Central Showcases a Back Half from a Cradle

By Craig Callaway; All Photos by Curtis Callaway

American Cheerleader August 2009

This stunt sequence is legal for USASF Levels 3 and up.

1. START: The team starts in 5 stunt groups with the top girl facing the back. Each group consists of a top girl, two bases and a back spot.

2. SET: TOP GIRL: Hold up your left hand for the left base, lift your left leg for the front spot, and place your right hand in a tabletop position. SPOT: Grab the top girl’s left leg above and below the knee. LEFT BASE: Place your left hand under the top girl’s left leg and grab her left hand with your right hand in a handshake grip. RIGHT BASE: Place your right hand behind the top girl’s right leg and your left arm behind the top girl’s back.

3. LOAD: The groups load the top girls into a flat-back position while the left base holds the top girl’s hand at her chest.

4. TOSS HALF: The groups toss the top girls, legs first, up and over and into a half twist. NOTE: During this part of the transition, the left base does not let go of the top girl’s hand and remains in contact at all times.

5. CATCH: The sequence finishes in a cradle facing forward.

For more great stunts, click here!

]]> http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/got-your-back-back-half-from-a-cradle/feed/ 12 Polished Pyramid: You’ll “flip” for it! http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/polished-pyramid-youll-flip-for-it/ http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/polished-pyramid-youll-flip-for-it/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:56:13 +0000 Staff http://www.americancheerleader.com/?p=2922 The Connecticut Spirit All-Stars Level 5 Senior Diamonds from Hamden, CT, demo a sequence from an award-winning routine.

By Craig Callaway; All photos by Curtis Callaway

American Cheerleader February 2009

This pyramid sequence is legal for USASF Levels 5 and up, but illegal for school teams.


1. LOAD: Three groups load into Preps while two more groups load into Basket Tosses in front of the two outside Preps. The top girls in the outside Preps grab one arm of the top girls in front of them.

2. TUCKS: On the designated count, the front tops perform back tuck while connected to the Preps behind them.

3. RECATCH: After flipping, the top girls are caught again by the same group in a Sponge position, while the Preps remain connected.

4. HOP OVER: Immediately after catching the flips, the groups toss the top girls up and over to the inside of the Preps. The bases move with them and catch them in a Sponge again.

5. INSIDE STRETCHES: After catching in a sponge, the groups put the top girls into inside Liberty Heel Stretches, connecting to the Preps.

Watch our stunt videos here!

]]> http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/polished-pyramid-youll-flip-for-it/feed/ 11 Being Flexible: Try this Stretch-Bow-N-Arrow-Scorp combo http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/being-flexible-try-this-stretch-bow-n-arrow-scorp-combo/ http://www.americancheerleader.com/2010/02/being-flexible-try-this-stretch-bow-n-arrow-scorp-combo/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:46:15 +0000 Staff http://www.americancheerleader.com/?p=2910 Bishop Dwenger HS cheerleaders demo a multi-stunt combo.

By Craig Callaway; All Photos by Curtis Callaway

American Cheerleader April 2009

This stunt sequence is legal for school teams and for USASF Level 3 & up with a straight cradle, Level 4 & up with a single-twist cradle and Level 5 & up with a double-twisting cradle.


1. SET: On counts 5, 6 , 7, 8, the group loads in for a Liberty.


2. STRETCH: Dipping on counts 1, 2, the bases lift the top girl into a Liberty. The top girl kicks up to a Heel Stretch on 5.


3. BOW-N-ARROW: On 1, the top girl transitions into a Bow-N-Arrow.

4. SPONGE: Dipping on counts 5, 6, the group brings the top girl back down to a Sponge position.

5. KICK: The group takes a double bounce in the Sponge, while turning the stunt to the side. The group performs to a Show-N-Go, kicking on 4…


6. SPLITS:…and coming back down in a split position on 5, 6.

7. SCORPION: The group takes an extra bounce on counts 7, 8, and then lifts the top girl back up to a Scorpion on 5.

8. TWIST: On counts 1, 2, the bases dip and pop the top girl into a twisting cradle…

9. CRADLE:…and catch her on count 5.

What’s your fave stunt? Comment below!

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