Twisted Sisters
These all-stars from Pro Spirit, Inc. bring a new spin to stunting, by demonstrating a half-up Liberty.
Photos by Curtis Callaway
Article by Craig Callaway
Competition companies have started awarding points for more creative ins and outs of stunts. Here is a simple variation to a straight up Liberty. Just make sure that your focus is on the toss up more than the twist and you'll master this stunt in no time.
Step 1: Set
FLYER: Start in ready position, with your back to the crowd. Your hands should be on the shoulders of your bases and your right foot should be in the hands of the right base.
RIGHT BASE: Start in ready position with your legs slightly bent. Grab the flyer's load-in foot with your outside hand under the heel and your other hand under the ball of her foot.
LEFT BASE: Start in ready position with your legs slightly bent. You should be level with the right base and waiting for the flyer to give you her left foot.
BACK SPOT: Start in ready position and grab the flyer's right calf with your left hand. Keep your right hand out of the way until she jumps into the stunt.
Step 2: Sponge
FLYER: On the designated count, jump up and place your left foot into the hands of the left base. Make sure that all of your weight is on both bases' shoulders.
RIGHT BASE: As the flyer jumps in, keep your back straight so that she can hold herself up as she jumps into the stunt. Continue to grip the flyer's foot tightly.
LEFT BASE: As the flyer jumps into the stunt, grab her left foot with both of your hands underneath the foot. Make sure to keep your back straight so that she can hold herself up as she jumps into the stunt.
BACK SPOT: As the flyer jumps into the stunt, reach your right hand around and grab the back of her upper right leg.
Step 3: Half Twist Up
FLYER: As the bases toss you up into the air, stand up with your chest up and body tight, and perform a half twist at the top of the toss. Keep your arms at your sides and your legs together. It's important to make a four point turn (head, shoulders, hips and toes) when performing the half twist.
RIGHT BASE: As the flyer begins to stand up into the half twist, give her a slight toss into the air. As the flyer begins to twist, release your left hand, and follow the flyer's foot around with your right hand. LEFT BASE: As the flyer begins to stand up into the half twist, wait for her to complete the half turn and then reach in to grab her right foot. BACK SPOT: As the flyer begins to stand up into the half twist, give her a slight toss up into the air to help her initiate the twist. Your left hand should remain in constant contact with the flyer throughout her twist.
Step 4: Liberty
FLYER: Stay tight until the bases have stabilized the stunt. Once you feel comfortable, pull your leg into the Liberty position.
RIGHT BASE: After the flyer has completed her twist, grab her right foot with your left hand. Make sure that you get at least your thumb under her foot.
LEFT BASE: After the flyer has completed her twist, reach in and grab her right foot at the toe and heel.
BACK SPOT: Reach as high as you can to help stabilize the stunt as the bases regrip the flyer's foot. NOTE: If you place both hands under the foot of the flyer, you will be considered a base, which would make the stunt illegal without another spotter. Either grip the flyer's ankle or the bases wrists to support the stunt.
This stunt can also be performed without the flyer hopping into a sponge first. After your group masters this stunt, have your flyer kick up into a Stretch. From there, the bases can add a quarter turn to the right on the way up for an Arabesque, Scale or Scorpion.
