CHEER SKILLS, DEFINITIONS & VIDEOS
International Cheer Union
Cheer Skills and Videos
Backward Roll: A non-aerial tumbling skill where the athlete rotates backward into/or through an inverted position by lifting the hips over the head and shoulders while curving the spine (a tucked position) to create a motion similar to a ball “rolling” across the floor.
Ball - X: A body position (usually during a toss) where the top person goes from a tucked position to a straddle/x-position with the arms and legs or just the legs.
Barrel Roll: See LOG ROLL
Base: A person who is in direct weight-bearing contact with the performance surface who provides support for another person. The person(s) that holds, lifts or tosses a top person into a stunt. (See also: “New Base” and/or “Original Base”). If there is only 1 person under a top person’s foot, regardless of hand placement, that person is considered a base.
Basket Toss
Basket Toss: A toss involving 2 or 3 bases and a spotter - 2 of the bases use their hands to interlock wrists.
Block: A tumbling term referring to the increase in height created by using one’s hand(s) and upper body power to push off the performing surface during a tumbling skill.
Block Cartwheel: A momentarily airborne cartwheel created by the tumbler blocking through the shoulders against the performing surface during the execution of the skill.
Brace: A physical connection that helps to provide stability from one top person to another top person. A top person’s hair and/or uniform is not an appropriate or legal body part to use while bracing a pyramid or pyramid transition.
Braced Flip: A stunt in which a top person performs a hip-over-head rotation while in constant physical contact with another top person(s)
Bracer : A person in direct contact with a top person that helps to provide stability to the top person. This person is separate from a base or spotter.
Cartwheel: A non-aerial tumbling skill where the athlete supports the weight of their body with their arm(s) while rotating sideways through an inverted position landing on one foot at a time.
Catcher: Person(s) responsible for the safe landing of a top person during a stunt/dismount/toss/release.
All catchers:
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Must be attentive
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Must not be involved in other choreography
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Must make physical contact with the top person upon catching
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Must be on the performing surface when the skill is initiated
Chair: A prep level stunt in which the base(s) supports the ankle of the top person with one hand and underneath the seat of the top person with the other hand. The supported leg must be in a vertical position underneath the torso of the top person.
Coed Style Toss: A single base grabs the top person at the waist and tosses the top person from ground level.
Cradle: A dismount in which the top person is caught in a cradle position.
Cradle Position: Base(s) supporting a top person by placing arms wrapped under the back and under the legs of the top person. The top person must land in a “V”/pike/hollow body position (face up, legs straight and together) below prep level.
Cupie: A stunt where a top person is in an upright (standing) position and has both feet together in the hand(s) of the base(s). Also referred to as an "Awesome."
Dismount: The ending movement from a stunt or pyramid to a cradle or the performing surface.
Movements are only considered “Dismounts” if released to a cradle or released and assisted to the performing surface. Movement from a cradle to the ground is not considered a “Dismount”. When/if performing a skill from the cradle to the ground the skill will follow stunt rules (twisting, transitions, etc.)
Dive Roll: An airborne tumbling skill with a forward roll where the athlete’s feet leave the ground before the athlete’s hands reach the ground.
Double Cartwheel : An inverted stunt with partnered or paired cartwheel with hand/ankle or arm/thigh connection done simultaneously.
Double-Leg Stunt:
Downward Inversion: A stunt or pyramid in which an inverted person’s center of gravity is moving towards the performing surface.
Drop: Dropping to the knee, thigh, seat, front, back or split position onto the performing surface from an airborne position or inverted position without first bearing most of the weight on the hands/feet which breaks the impact of the drop.
Extended Arm Level: The highest point of a base’s arm(s)(not spotter’s arms) when standing upright with the arm(s) fully extended over the head. Extended arms do not necessarily define an “extended stunt”. See “Extended Stunt” for further clarification.
Extended Position: A top person, in an upright position, supported by a base(s) with the base(s) arms fully extended. Extended arms do not necessarily define an “extended stunt”. See “Extended Stunt” for further clarification.
Extended Stunt: When the entire body of the top person is extended in an upright position over the base(s). Examples of “Extended Stunts”: Extension, Extended Liberty, Extended Cupie. Examples of stunts that are not considered “Extended Stunts”: Chairs, torches, flat backs, arm-n-arms and straddle lifts. (These are stunts where the base(s) arm(s) are extended overhead, but are NOT considered “Extended Stunts” since the height of the body of the top person is similar to a shoulder/prep level stunt.)
Extension Prep: see Prep
Flat Back: A stunt in which the top person is lying horizontal, face-up, and is usually supported by two or more bases.
Flip (Tumbling) : A tumbling skill that involves hip-over-head rotation without contact with the performing surface as the body passes through the inverted position.
Flip ( stunting): A stunting skill that involves hip-over-head rotation without contact with the performing surface or base(s) as the body passes through the inverted position.
Floor Stunt: Base lying on performance surface on their back with arm(s) extended. A “Floor Stunt” is a waist level stunt.
Flyer: See "Top Person".
Forward Roll: A non-airborne tumbling skill where one rotates forward through an inverted position by lifting the hips over the head and shoulders while curving the spine to create a motion similar to a ball “rolling” across the floor.
Free Release Move: A release move in which the top person becomes free of contact with all bases, bracers, or the performing surface.
Free Flipping Stunt: A Stunt Release Move in which the top person passes through an inverted position without physical contact with a base, brace, or the performing surface. This does not include Release Moves that start inverted and rotate to non-inverted.
Front Limber: A non-aerial tumbling skill where one rotates forward through an inverted position to a non-inverted position by arching the legs and hips over the head and down to the performing surface landing on both feet/legs at the same time.
Front Tuck: A tumbling skill in which the athlete generates momentum upward to perform a forward flip.
Front Walkover: A non-aerial tumbling skill in which an athlete rotates forward through an inverted position to a non-inverted position by arching the legs and hips over the head and down to the performing surface landing one foot/leg at a time.
Full: A 360 degree twisting rotation. Note: This is an example of the definition in a tumbling skill
Ground Level: To be on the performance surface.
Half (Stunt):See “Prep”.
Hand/Arm Connection: The physical contact between two or more athletes using the hand(s)/arm(s). The shoulder is not considered a legal connection when hand/arm connection is required.
Handspring: An airborne tumbling skill in which an athlete starts from the feet and jumps forwards or backwards rotating through a handstand position. The athlete then blocks off the hands by putting the weight on the arms and using a push from the shoulders to land back on the feet, completing the rotation.
Handstand: A straight body inverted position where the arms of the athlete are extended straight by the head and ears.
Headspin : A skill in which a person balances on one's head while rotating on the performance surface.
Helicopter Toss (“Helicopter”): A stunt where a top person in a horizontal position is tossed to rotate around a vertical axis (like helicopter blades) before being caught by original bases.
Horizontal Axis ( twisting in Stunts): An invisible line drawn from front to back through the belly button of the top person.
Initiation/Initiating: The beginning of a skill; the point from which it originates. The point of initiation for a stunt is the bottom of the dip from which the skill originates.
Inversion: See "Inverted": it is the act of being inverted.
Inverted: When the athlete’s shoulders are below her/his waist and at least one foot is above her/his head
Jump Skill: A skill that involves a change in body position during a jump. (e.g. a toe touch, pike, etc..)
Jump Turn: Any turn that is added to a jump. A “straight jump” with a turn does not make the jump a “jump skill”.
Jump: An airborne position not involving hip-over-head rotation created by using one’s own feet and lower body power to push off the performance surface.
Kick Full: Skill, typically from a toss, which involves a kick and a 360 degree twisting rotation. A quarter turn performed by the top person during the kick portion is customary and permitted to initiate the twist.
Knee (Body) Drop: See “Drop”.
Layout: An airborne tumbling skill that involves a hip over head rotation in a stretched, hollow body position.
LeapFrog: A stunt in which a top person is transitioned from one set of bases to another, or back to the original bases, by passing over the torso and through the extended arms of the base. The top person remains upright and stays in continuous contact with the base while transitioning.
(Second Level) Leapfrog: Same as a “Leap Frog” but the top person is supported by bracer(s) instead of base(s) when traveling from one set of base(s) to another (or same) set of bases.
Leg/Foot Connection: The physical contact between two or more athletes using the leg(s)/foot (feet). Any connection from the shin to the toe is considered a legal connection when leg/foot connection is allowed.
Liberty 1
Liberty: A stunt in which the base(s) hold 1 foot of the top person while the top person’s other leg is bent, placing the bent leg next to the supporting leg knee.
Load in: A stunting position in which the top person has at least one foot in the base(s) hands. The base(s) hands are at waist level
Mount: See "Stunt”.
Multi Base Stunt: A stunt having 2 or more bases not including the spotter.
Non- Inverted Position :A body position in which either of the conditions below are met:
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The top person's shoulders are at or above their waist.
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The top person’s shoulders are below their waist and both feet are below their head.
New Base (s):Bases previously not in direct contact with the top person of a stunt.
Nugget :A body position in which an athlete is in a tucked position on their hands and knees on the performing surface. When an athlete in a nugget position is supporting a top person, they are considered a base of a waist level stunt.
Onodi: Starting from a back handspring position after pushing off, the athlete performs a 1⁄2 twist to the hands, ending the skill as a front handspring step out
Original Base(s):Base(s) that is/are in contact with the top person during the initiation of the skill/stunt.
Pancake: A downward inversion stunt in which both of the top person's legs/feet remain in the grip of a base(s) while performing a fold over/pike forward rotation to be caught on the top person's back.
Paper Dolls: Single-leg stunts bracing each other while in the single leg position. The stunts may or may not be extended.
Pike: Body bent forward at the hips with legs straight and together.
Platform Position: A single leg stunt where the top person’s non-supported leg is held straight next to the supporting leg. Also known as a “dangle” or “target position”.
Power Press: When bases bring the top person from an extended position, down to prep level or below, and then immediately re-extend the top person.
Prep ,(stunt): A multi base, two leg stunt in which the top person is being held at shoulder level by the bases in an upright position.
Prep-Level: The lowest connection between the base(s) and the top person is above waist level and below extended level (e.g. prep, shoulder level hitch, shoulder sit, etc.).
A stunt may also be considered at prep-level if the arm(s) of the base(s) are extended overhead, but are not considered “Extended Stunts” since the height of the body of the top person is similar to a shoulder/prep level stunt. (e.g. flatback, straddle lifts, chair, t-lift, etc.). Clarification: A stunt is considered below prep level if at least one foot of the top person is at waist level, as determined by the height/positioning of the base. (Exception: chair, t-lift and should sits are prep level stunts)
Primary Support: Supporting a majority of the weight of the top person.
Prone Position: A face down, flat body position.
Prop: An object that can be manipulated. Flags, banners, signs, pom pons, megaphones, and pieces of cloth are the only props allowed. Any uniform piece purposefully removed from the body and used for visual effect will be considered a prop.
Punch Front: See “Front Tuck”.
Pyramid: Two or more connected stunts.
Rebound: An airborne position not involving hip-over-head rotation created by using one’s own feet and lower body power to propel off the performance surface -- typically performed from or into a tumbling skill.
Release Move : When the top person becomes free of contact with all people on the performing surface; see “Free Release Move
Rewind : A free-flipping release move from ground level used as an entrance skill into a stunt.
Roll : A hip-over head rotation that is executed on the performing surface or in a partner stunt in which the top person is in contact with a person on the ground.
Round off : Similar to a cartwheel except the athlete lands with two feet placed together on the ground instead of one foot at a time, facing the direction from which they arrived.
Running Tumbling: Tumbling that involves a forward step or a hurdle used to gain momentum as an entry to a tumbling skill.
Second Level: Any person being supported above from the performing surface by one or more bases.
Second Level Leapfrog: Same as “Leap Frog” but the top person is supported by bracer(s) instead of base(s) when traveling from one set of base(s) to another (or same) set of bases.
Series Front or back Handsprings : Two or more front or back handsprings performed consecutively by an athlete.
Series Front or Back Handsprings 2
Single-Based Double Cupie: A single base supporting 2 top persons who each have both feet in a separate hand of the base; see "Cupie"
Single-Based Stunt : A stunt using a single base for support.
Shoulder Level: A stunt in which the connection between the base(s) and top person is at shoulder height of the base(s).
Shoulder Sit: A stunt in which a top person sits on the shoulder(s) of a base(s). This is considered a prep level stunt.
Shoulder Stand : A top person stands on a base's shoulders
Shoulder Stand: A stunt in which an athlete stands on the shoulder(s) of a base(s).
Shushunova: A straddle jump (toe touch) landing on the performing surface in a prone/push-up position.
Single-Leg Stunt: See "Stunt".
Split Catch: A stunt with a top person who is in an upright position having knees forward. The base(s) is holding both inner thighs as the top person typically performs a high "V" motion, creating an "X" with the body.
Sponge Toss: A stunt similar to a basket toss in which the top person is tossed from the “Load In” position. The top person has both feet in the bases’ hands prior to the toss.
Spotter : A person whose primary responsibility is to prevent injuries by protecting the head, neck, back and shoulders area of a top person during the performance of a stunt, pyramid or toss. All “Spotters” must be trained in proper spotting techniques.
The spotter:
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must be standing to the side or the back of the stunt, pyramid or toss.
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must be in direct contact with the performing surface.
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must be attentive to the stunt being performed.
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must be able to touch the base of the stunt in which they are spotting, but does not have to be in direct physical contact with the stunt.
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cannot stand so that their torso is under a stunt.
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may grab the wrist(s) of the base(s), other parts of the base(s) arms, the top person(s) legs/ankles, or does not have to touch the stunt at all.
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may not have both hands under the sole of the top person’s foot/feet or under the hands of the bases.
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may not be considered both a base and the required spotter at the same time. If there is only 1 person under a top person’s foot, regardless of hand placement, that person is considered a base. Example: In a two leg stunt, the base of one of the legs is not allowed to also be considered the required spotter (regardless of the grip).
NOTE: If the spotter’s hand is under the top person’s foot it must be their front hand, the spotter’s back hand MUST be placed at the back of the ankle/leg of the top person or on the back side of the back wrist of the base.
Standing Tumbling: A tumbling skill (series of skills) performed from a standing position without any previous forward momentum. Any number of steps backward prior to execution of tumbling skill(s) is still defined as "standing tumbling."
Step Out: A tumbling skill that lands on 1 foot at a time as opposed to landing on both feet simultaneously.
Straight Cradle: A release move/dismount from a stunt to a cradle position where the top person keeps their body in a “Straight Ride” position -- no skill (i.e. turn, kick, twist, pretty girl, etc.) is performed.
Straight Ride: The body position of a top person performing a toss or dismount that doesn’t involve any trick in the air. It is a straight line position that teaches the top to reach and to obtain maximum height on toss.
Stunt: Any skill in which a top person is supported above the performance surface by one or more persons. A stunt is determined to be "One Leg" or "Two Leg" by the number of feet that the top person has been supported by a base(s). If the top person is not supported under any foot then the skill will be considered a “Two Leg” stunt.
Suspended Roll: A stunt skill that involves hip overhead rotation from the top person while connected with hand/wrist to hand/wrist of the base(s) that is on the performing surface. The base(s) will have their arms extended during the rotation of the skill. The rotation of the top person is limited to either forward or backward.
Suspended Backward Roll: A suspended roll that rotates in a backward rotation. See “Suspended Roll”.
T lift: A stunt in which a top person with arms in a t-motion is supported on either side by two bases that connects with each of the hands and under the arms of the top person. The top person remains in a non-inverted, vertical position while being supported in the stunt.
Tension Roll/Drop: A pyramid/stunt in which the base(s) and top(s) lean forward in unison until the top person(s) leaves the base(s) without assistance. Traditionally the top person(s) and/or base(s) perform a forward roll after becoming free from contact from each other.
Tic-Tock: A stunt that is held in a static position on one leg, base(s) dip and release the top person in an upward fashion, as the top person switches their weight to the other leg and lands in a static position on their opposite leg.
Toe/Leg Pitch: A single or multi-based stunt in which the base(s) toss upward traditionally using a single foot or leg of the top person to increase the top person’s height.
Top Person: The athlete(s) being supported above the performance surface in a stunt, pyramid or toss.
Torso: The midsection/waist area of an athlete’s body.
Toss: An airborne stunt where base(s) execute a throwing motion initiated from waist level to increase the height of the top person. The top person becomes free from all contact of bases, bracers and/or other top persons. The top person is free from the performance surface when toss is initiated (ex: basket toss or sponge toss). Note: Toss to hands, toss to extended stunts and toss chair are NOT included in this category. (See “Release Moves”)
Tower Pyramid: A stunt on top of a waist level stunt.
Transitional Pyramid: A top person moving from one position to another in a pyramid. The transition may involve changing bases provided at least one athlete at prep level or below maintains constant contact with the top person.
Transitional Stunt: Top person or top persons moving from one stunt position to another thereby changing the configuration of the beginning stunt. Each point of initiation is used in determining the beginning of a transition. The end of a transition is defined as a new point of initiation, a stop of movement, and/or the top person making contact with the performance surface.
Tuck Position: A position in which the body is bent at the waist/hips with the knees drawn into the torso.
Tumbling: Any hip over head skill that is not supported by a base that begins and ends on the performing surface.
Twist: An athlete performing a rotation around their body’s vertical axis. (vertical axis=head to toe axis)
Twisting Partner stunt
Full up Ext pop off Video
Twisting Stunt: Any twisting transition involving a top person and a base(s). The degree of twist is generally determined by the total continuous rotation(s) of the top person’s hips in relation to the performance surface. Twisting will be measured by using both the “Vertical Axis” (head-to-toe) and “Horizontal Axis” (through the belly button in a non-upright position). Simultaneous rotation on the Vertical and Horizontal axes should be considered separately, not cumulatively, when determining the degree of twist. A dip by the bases and/or change in direction of the twist/rotation, starts a new transition.
Full Twisting Toss: A toss in which the athlete rotates around their body’s “Vertical Axis”
Twisting Tumbling: A tumbling skill involving hip overhead rotation in which an athlete rotates around their body’s “Vertical Axis”.
Two – High Pyramid: A pyramid in which all top persons are primarily supported by a base(s) who is in direct weight- bearing contact with the performing surface. Any time a top person is released from their base(s) in a “Pyramid Release Move”, regardless of the height of the release, this top person would be considered “passing above two persons high”. “Passing above two persons high” does not relate to the actual height of the top person but to the number of layers to which they are connected.
Upright: A body position of a top person in which the athlete is in a standing position on at least one foot while being supported by a base(s).
V Sit: A top person’s body position when sitting in a stunt with straight legs parallel to the performing surface in a “V” position.
Vertical Axis (Twisting in Stunts or Tumbling): An invisible line drawn from head to toe through the body of the tumbling athlete or top person.
Waist Level1: A stunt in which the lowest connection between the base(s) and the top person is above ground level and below prep level and/or at least one foot of the top person is below prep level, as determined by the height/positioning of the base. Examples of stunts that are considered waist level: All 4s position based stunts, a nugget-based stunt. A chair and a shoulder sit are considered prep level stunts, based on the point of connection to the base(s), and is not considered a Waist Level stunt.
Walkover: A non-aerial tumbling skill involving hip-over-head rotation in which a person rotates forward/backward (usually performed with the legs in a split position) with support from one or both hands.
Whip : A non-twisting, backward-traveling, aerial tumbling skill in which the athlete’s feet rotate over their head and body, while the body remains in a stretched upper back position. A “Whip” has the look of a back handspring without the hands contacting the ground
https://usacheer.org/safety/rules/cheer-dance-rules-videos
Invert Hand Foot Release – Bent Leg
Invert Release Pump and Go
D.4 Braced Rolls Braced Roll with Leg Connection
3.3.6 Inverted Stunts and Dismounts,
3.3.6.a Shoulder Inversion Release to Tap Down
3.3.6.a Shoulder Inversion Release to Cradle
3.3.6.a Back handspring to extension
3.3.6.c Inversion from the Ground with Release
3.3.6.c Load to inversion at shoulder level
https://usacheer.org/aiovg_videos/vault-over-thigh-stand
STOMP SKILLS
1) Tri-Jump and Stomp in Stunt
2) Tumbling in Stomp
3) Shoulder sit to prep stomp
4)Patty cake middle drop
5) 3 beat in action, formation change speed beat
6) 3 Beat in action & High Kick
7) Pattycake and Single jumper
Stomp Vocal Dynamics
Stomp Rhythm & Beat Training Video
INSTRUCTIONAL STUNT VIDEOS
(You tube @cheeriq631)
Assisted single base hands to extension
Assisted single base Stunt pop off
Back-handspring up for partner stunts
Extension Fall Back to Three Catchers
Full around for partner stunts
Full down from extended liberty
Crossed grip full up instructional video
Hand in Hands5 Tips for Learning Hand in Hands
Handstand inversion at prep to extension
Handstand pop through (prep level)
How to full up and full around- Drill-How to full up and full around- Drill
Partner stunt: Walk to hands & pop off
Prep (half, elevator) stunt Prep
Ruby slipper full up to liberty
Straight ride (pencil) basket toss
Switch up to prep level Liberty
Walk Hands| Partner Stunt Tutorial
Walk in Reverse hands & half around
1.25 Twist Front Roll from Shoulder Sit
2023-2024
NFHS SPIRIT RULES
RULE 1 Definitions
Airborne : A state in which a person is free of contact from a person or the performing surface.
Base : A person in direct weight-bearing contact with the performing surface who provides primary support for another person. A prop that provides primary support for a person is also considered a base.
Base of Support : Weight bearing point or points between the top persons and base(s).
Braced Flip : A Pyramid in which a Braced top person performs a hip-over -head rotation while being released from all persons on the performance floor.
Braced Inversion : A Pyramid in which a braced top person is in an inverted position.
Braced Roll : A pyramid in which a braced top person performs a hip- overhead rotation while remaining in contact with a person on the performing surface.
Bracer : A top person who is connected to another top person.
Chorus-line-Flip : A Stunt in which a participant on the performing surface performs a backward flip while being supported by the connected arms of other participants.
Cradle : A dismount from a partner stunt, pyramid or toss in which the catch is completed below shoulder height by a base or bases with the top person in a face-up open pike position.
Cradle Position : A face-up open-pike position.
Cupie/Awesome : A stunt in which both feet of the top person are in one hand of a base.
Dismount : Ending a stunt by releasing a top person from all personnel to the performing surface or to a cradle.
Dive Roll : An airborne forward roll where the feet of the performer are at or above the performer's waist prior to the hands making contact with the performing surface.
Drop : Landing on the performing surface from an airborne position.
Elevator/Sponge Toss : A person holds a prep/elevator loading position and is tossed by multiple bases.
Extended Stunt Position: The supporting hand (s) of the base (s) is/are above the head.
Extension : An extended stunt in which the top person has both feet in the hands of a base(s).
Flatback : A Stunt in which a top person is in a face-up or face-down position, with the hips and shoulders in alignment.
Flip : An airborne skill involving hip-over head rotation in a tuck, pike or layout position.
Foldover Stunt : An inverted stunt in which the top person bends at the waist and is caught by catchers while one or both of the top person's ankles/feet remain in the grip of the base (s) ( e.g. yo-yo, pancake)
Handstand : A skill in which a person balances on one's hand (s) on the performing surface.
Hanging Stunt : A stunt in which a top person (s) is suspended by another top person (s) who is/are in a shoulder stand.
Headspring : A tumbling skill in which a person places both hands and head on the performing surface, pushes off with the hands while flipping the legs over head and landing on the feet. It is non- airborne in approach but airborne in descent following the inversion.
Headstand : A skill in which a person balances on one's head on the performing surface.
Helicopter : A person in a horizontal position is popped then rotates like helicopter blades in a horizontal plane before being caught by the original bases.
Inverted Position : Shoulders are below the waist.
Layout Position : A straight- body position.
Leapfrog : A Stunt in which the top person moves over a front or back post while maintaining hands-to-hands contact with the post, or, a skill in which a participant on the floor places hands on the back of another person on the floor, vaults over the person's back in a straddle and returns to the floor.
Liberty : A One leg stunt ( usually extended) that may include variations such as hitch, a torch, a heel stretch, an arabesque, a scorpion, etc.
Lift : See "stunt/partner stunt" definition.
Loading Position/Load : Bases support a non-extended top person under the foot/feet in preparation for a stunt or toss.
Log Roll : A top person in a horizontal position or cradle that is popped then twists parallel to the performing surface before being caught by the original base (s) in a horizontal position or cradle.
Non - Release Stunt : A stunt in which contact is maintained between a top person on the performing surface
Non-Release Transition : A top person is moved from one stunt to another while maintaining physical contact with the original base(s) ,new base(s) or a post.
Open- Pike Position : legs are straight and hips are bent approximately halfway between a full pike position and a full layout position.
Pike Position : Bent at the hips with legs straight and together.
Pitch Toe/Leg : A toss in which the base(s) push upward on a single foot or leg to the top person.
Pop : A controlled upward release by the base(s) to initiate a dismount or a release transition.
Post : A person in direct weight-bearing contact with the performing surface who temporarily supports a top person during the execution of a stunt.
Prep : A stunt in which the top person is standing on both feet, with weight equally distributed at approximately at shoulder level.
Prep Level : A top person's base of support is at approximately shoulder height.
Primary Support : Bearing the majority of a top person's weight during the execution of a partner stunt, pyramid, cradle dismount or the initiation of a toss.
Prone Position : Face-down straight body
Prop : Any item that is manipulated (e.g., poms, signs, etc.)
Prop as Base : Any object that primarily supports a performers weight, a single unfolded mat on the performing surface is not considered to be a base.
Pyramid : Connected partner stunts
Quick Toss : A release that begins with the top person having both feet in weight-bearing contact with the performing surface and ends in a partner stunt or pyramid.
Release Stunt : Any stunt in which the top person becomes free of contact from all personnel on the performing surface.
Release Transition/ Release pyramid transition : A top person changes from one stunt to another (including loading positions) during a temporary loss of physical contact with all personnel on the performance surface.
Roll : A hip over-head rotation that is executed either on the performance surface or in a partner stunt in which the top person is in contact with a person on the ground.
Shoulder Stand : A top person stands on a base's shoulders
Side-T-Lift : A stunt in which the base(s) extend(s) a top person overhead in a forward facing, horizontal straight body position.
Splits Position : Legs extended in opposite directions at right angles to the trunk.
Spotter : A person in direct, weight-bearing contact with the performing surface whose primary function is to protect a top person's head, neck and shoulder.
Straddle Position : Bent at the hips with the legs straight and apart.
Stunt/Partner Stunt/Lift : One or more bases support one or more top persons off the performing surface.
Suspended Roll : A stunt in which base(s) or Post(s) hold a top person's hand(s) Arm(s) while the top person performs continuous hip-over-head rotation.
Suspended Splits : A top person is supported in a split position between multiple bases.
Swedish Falls : A stunt in which the top person in a prone position supports the upper body by placing hands on the shoulder of a base while the lower body is supported by another base's extended arms.
Swing Roll Down : A stunt in which the top person's hands/arms and feet/legs are held while swinging forward and facedown in a roll where the head passes under the hips.
Swinging Stunt : A top person is suspended and swung between multiple bases
Switch up : A top person starts with one foot in a load, is released and lands in a vertical stunt on one foot or both feet.
Tick-tock : A release stunt in which a top person switches from one leg to the other.
Top person: A person who is being supported by another person(s) while off the performing surface, who has been tossed in the air or who is weight -bearing contact with a prop.
Toss : A release stunt in which the bases(s) begin underneath the top person's foot/feet and execute a throwing motion from below shoulder level to increase the height of the top person. The top person becomes free from all bases, spotters, posts or bracers.
Tuck Position : Bent at the hips and knees with knees drawn toward the torso.
Tumbling : Gymnastics skills that begin and end on the performing surface including rolls, inverted extended skills ( cartwheels, handstands, walkovers, handsprings, etc.) aerials, twists and flips.
NOTE: Jumps, leaps, and side- rolls on the performing surface are not considered to be tumbling.
Twist : An airborne skill involving rotation perpendicular or parallel to the performing surface in a straight body position.