The Main Cheer Positions EXPLAINED! (+ Which One Is Right For You)
This post is all about the main cheer positions.
Quick answer:
Flyer: the cheerleaders who are lifted and thrown in the air.
Base: the athletes lifting and tossing the flyers.
Spotter: the ones supporting the bases during stunts.
So you’re starting your cheerleading career. Congrats!
Cheer is an amazing sport filled with fierce and talented athletes who are super passionate about cheerleading.
In order to help prepare you for your first cheerleading practice, read this blog post on the basic cheer positions.
The info I’m sharing today is essential knowledge for cheerleaders of any level and is a great place to start if you’re just beginning your cheerleading journey.
This is information you’ll learn on day one of any cheerleading team or class, so why not go into it with a head start?
So, here are the three basic cheerleading positions, what they each do, why they’re equally important, and which one might be a good fit for you!
Breaking Down Basic Cheer Positions
#1: Flyer
Source: pinterest.com
Flyers are the position that most people picture when it comes to cheerleading. Simply put, flyers are the athletes the base holds in the air (more on bases in a minute).
Flyers are typically the ones front and center and have the most face-time with the audience since they’re being lifted in the air or at the top of a pyramid.
Because of this, it’s especially important for flyers to know how to perform well, have a great stage presence, and get the crowd excited.
Being confident performers who know how to smile is an essential skill for a flyer!
On the physical side of things, flyers should have excellent flexibility and balance.
If you’re a flyer, you’ll be spending a lot of time standing on one leg, or on small “surfaces” like someone else’s hands or knees.
If you’re wobbly or have trouble balancing, you might actually make a better base or spotter. Strong upper body and core muscles are also important attributes of flyers.
This will enable you to hold challenging positions while in the air, like a heel stretch or a bow and arrow, as well as improve your balance.
Related: 18 Tailgate Outfit Ideas For College Game Day
#2: Base
Source: pinterest.com
Bases are the positions in cheerleading lifting the flyer in the air during stunts.
Bases should have strong arm and leg muscles. Their job is to throw and catch other people into the air after all!
Strong arms are especially important because if you’re a base, you might have your arms in the air for a long period of time.
Without strong arm muscles, you’ll have trouble keeping your arms lifted and supporting your flyer, which could be dangerous for everyone involved in the stunt.
Other muscles you’ll want to exercise as a base include your core, upper body, and triceps.
Related: Every Type of Cheerleading EXPLAINED And Which One is Right For You!
#3: Spotter
Source: pinterest.com
The most overlooked cheer position is the spotter.
Spotters are incredibly important because they’re the ones supporting the bases and flyers during a stunt position and keeping everyone safe and steady.
They have to be ready at all times to help catch the flyer if she falls or if something goes wrong with the stunt.
Important attributes of a spotter are strong arms, triceps, and upper body muscles.
You’ll be doing a lot of lifting, holding your arms over your head, and supporting, so developing and strengthening these muscles will help you perform your best.
Bases and spotters are responsible for supporting the flyer while in the air and when coming out of a stunt, so they’re essential for any successful cheerleading routine.
Outro & Closing Thoughts
Today, I talked about the main cheerleading positions and their roles.
I talked about why each position is important and how they each contribute to a safe and successful cheerleading stunt.
Thanks for reading my blog post “The Main Cheer Positions EXPLAINED! (+ Which One Is Right For You).”
Check out this post next, where I break down every cheerleading motion a beginner needs to know:
Ultimate Beginner Cheerleading Terms Glossary | 40 Essential Terms To Know!
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