Chapter 7 - Acrobatic Stunts

To pep up your cheering section and entertain them as well, cheerleaders are urged to learn a few acrobatic tricks such as learning to do a flip, cartwheel, handstand, headspring, round-off, back-flip, etc. The safe way to learn to do these tricks is with the use of some sort of safety belt. Two assistants holding two towels around the waist may be used effectively as a safety belt or you can purchase a safety belt with nylon cords especially made for the purpose, for about $14. These belts are adjustable to waist size front and back.

THE THIGH STAND Two cheerleaders are used in the thigh stand. One stands directly behind the other both facing the same direction. The one in back places her hands on the front's waist. The one in front then jumps up on the other's thighs. Lead a short yell before jumping back to the ground.

THE FOOT PITCH This stunt is executed by the cheerleaders. It is one of the more colorful stunts that cheerleaders can do on the field as well as on the Pep Rally stage. The one that does the pitching places the feet about eight inches apart with one foot in front of the other (the heel of one foot should be about even with toes of other foot). He then clasps the hands and braces them on the knee of the forward leg. The one doing the flip then walks up, places his or her hands on the shoulders of the pitcher and at the same time places one foot into the braced clasped hands of the pitcher. He then pushes the leg straight and reaches up with his arms throwing the head back. The pitcher then throws the flipper as the pitcher's leg is pushing up against his hands. The flipper will then flip over executing a back flip and landing feet first.

In learning the above trick, spotters and a safety belt (or towels) must be used to catch any slip or fall. Serious injury could result if person ducks his head during the flip as he would then fall headfirst to the ground.

THE EXTRA POINT KICK

THE EXTRA POINT KICK This stunt is done by five people although three can also do it. Two cheerleaders make a goal post out of themselves by getting back to back and spreading feet wide apart. They then bend forward reach between their legs and grasp each other's hands. They then let go with one outside hand and reach up backwards with the free hand to form the uprights of the goal post, their two backs forming the cross bar and their legs the base. The other three cheerleaders line up as the players do when they kick the extra point after a touchdown. One cheerleader crunches down to resemble the ball; another places one finger on the head of the "ball" and the other stands behind as if to be getting ready to kick the "ball," over "the goal posts." The "kicker" then swings leg as if to be kicking the "ball" . . . the "ball" runs forward and does a front vaulting roll over the "goal posts."

THE SHOULDER STAND TENSION DROP Two people are required for this stunt. One mounts up on the shoulders of the other; standing feet first on the shoulders, heels together, toes out, knees bent slightly to brace shins against the base of man's head. The base man clasps the one on top just below the knees on the upper calf, and pulls down to further brace top man's legs against his head. Then tension drop is used as a dismount. The base man leans forward as does the top man, and when the top man can no longer retain balance on the shoulders he jumps off feet first and as top man hits the ground both go into a forward roll simultaneously.

ONE LEG PITCH Another back flip with assistance, is the one leg pitch. The flipper walks up to the pitcher who is standing sidewards. The pitcher grasps the ankle and high on the thighs (just under the seat), and lifts flipper as flipper goes into a back flip.

PULL - OVER STUNT Two cheerleaders are required to do this stunt. One cheerleader does a handstand against the back of another cheerleader. While in this position the cheerleader standing upright grasps the ankles of the other and pulls her over by bending forward. The cheerleader standing continues to pull and to lean forward until the hand-standing cheerleader can touch her feet back on the ground. The stunt is completed when the handstanding person goes from his hands on over the other cheerleader's, back to her feet.

DIVE FORWARD ROLL This is a stunt that can be done in many ways. A cheerleader can kneel down and the other can dive over her head, first placing hands on the ground and then doing a front roll. This may also be done diving thru the legs of a cheerleader doing a head stand.

THE FRONT HAND SPRING This stunt is done by one person running forward, placing both hands on the ground and kicking up very hard into a hand stand with force enough to carry himself completely over on to his feet again.

This stunt also requires a spotter while it is being learned as one can easily twist an ankle while doing it. Two spotters can clasp hands and kneel down and as the one doing the handspring kicks over into a handstand; they support the small of her back with their clasped arms so that the flipper cannot fall on her back. After several tries one can usually do it without a spotter.

THE DOUBLE THIGH STAND In the double thigh stand three cheerleaders are used. Two remain down on the ground and the other is swung up and onto the thighs of the two on the ground. While in this position you could lead a short yell.

DOUBLE CARTWHEEL In the double cartwheel one cheerleader stands in a straddle position and has her arms out to the side. Another cheerleader then approaches and does a cartwheel into the legs of the other cheerleader by placing her head between the legs of the standing cheerleader and circling the legs with her arms. The standing cheerleader then grasps the cartwheeling cheerleader's hips with her hands and pulls her over the cartwheel position. Upon landing one cheerleader pulls the other through a similar cartwheel and this is continued down the field.

SPLITS Best way to learn to do the front splits is by placing two chairs with seats facing each other and with sufficient room for the body to pass between. By placing the hands on the seats it will enable you to properly support yourself while lowering the body to a split position.

Other acrobatic stunts cheerleaders may learn to do easily are:

Cartwheels                               Front Flips
Forward Rolls                          Back Flips
Back Rolls                                Round Offs
Hand Springs                            Pyramids
Bank Hand Springs

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