After the introduction of women in the 1920s, cheerleading -- a previously all-male sport -- quickly gained a reputation for being for being a feminine activity. The addition of dance and motions into cheers meant that few, if any, male cheerleaders remained. This changed in the 1960s, when college teams began to push the boundaries of stunting and gymnastics to create routines that wowed the crowd with high-flying stunts. The re-entry of male cheerleaders onto teams allowed flyers to go higher and execute more complex skills in the air. Stunting requires male cheerleaders to not only be strong, but also dedicated and willing to learn.
Prepare for stunting through a fitness program that includes strength and endurance training. Coed stunting requires strong muscles to allow stunts to stabilize, or balance, as well as endurance to tumble, jump, stunt and dance through a 2.5-minute routine. Training for cheerleading -- and stunting, in particular -- should include cardio for endurance, such as jogging or jumping rope. It should also include a strength-training routine with exercises such as mountain climbers, squat jumps, lunges, pushups, curls, overhead press and triceps dips. While female cheerleaders need to condition as well, male cheerleaders are unlikely to fly or spot and therefore must possess the strength to stunt. Female cheerleaders are often chosen for their ability to fly or dance, rather than their strength.
Learn to stunt by following the instruction of a certified, experienced coach. Stunts are divided into several levels of difficulty and should be learned through progressive skills training, meaning each stunt builds on the basic principles of the one which preceded it. For example, a base must learn to lift their flyer to prep level before attempting extension. Stunts common for coed cheerleading teams include partner stunts, in which the male cheerleader, or base, lifts his flyer on his own. These kind of stunts includes toss to hands and cupie. Other types of male-driven stunts include basket tosses, where a group of three to four bases, often male, throw the flyer high into the air where she performs skills, such as a double full twist, before returning to be caught by the bases, as well as pyramid stunts, where several groups of three or four bases lift their flyers into the air and the flyers link to each other by holding hands or feet.
Follow safety guidelines, enlist the instruction of a qualified coach and use safety flooring when stunting. This is especially important when performing coed stunts. The majority of coed stunts rely solely on the male cheerleader's strength and ability instead of that of a full group. If he is unprepared for a stunt, the flyer is more likely to fall and their will be less people to catch her safely. All-Star cheerleading guidelines have been developed and published by the United States All Star Federation, while university and school teams follow the guidelines set forth by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators. Following guidelines and using the appropriate safety equipment will ensure that you and your stunt partner or group are less likely to be injured.
- Learning to stunt requires a great deal of time and training -- be patient!
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