Cheerleading Stunts

Most of us have watched some truly amazing cheerleading stunts either on TV or at a competition. They can make some very tricky moves look stylish and easy. However, hours of work are involved to ensure even the most talented individuals are able to complete such routines without injury to themselves or others.

The first variation from simple chants and basic moves for cheerleading involved the building of a pyramid. This involves quickly building a human pyramid with one or two individuals on the very top who are then able to acrobatically land on the ground or even be thrown into the air before coming back down. Many junior and senior high schools do this stunt for the crowd during half time of a game.

With the introduction of the various cheerleading competitions out there, cheerleading stunt have evolved into something much more complex. They involve gymnastics, dance moves, spins, and more to keep the crowd and the judges pleased with what they are watching. Of course with the harder, more complicated routines comes more risk of injuries. This has lead to cheerleading being considered a high risk sport. Parents, cheerleaders, and those teaching the stunts have to be responsible and do their part to help keep injuries from taking place.

The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA) was founded to help reduce the amount of risk involved in cheerleading stunts. They offer training and certification for those who want to coach cheerleading stunts. This coach has to be present at all cheerleading practice sessions. They also have restrictions in place for all the various stunts including the equipment that can be used for each, the height restrictions, and the number of individuals who have to be present during a stunt.

With so many great athletes being part of the various cheerleading squads around the Nation, those who learn the best stunts have an edge over the competition. However, the first priority is the safety of each member of the squad. This starts with proper training to learn the moves as well as being disciplined to learn your part as each element must be done correctly for the stunt to be performed well.