List of cheerleading stunts

In the competitive athletic sport of cheerleading, stunts are defined as building performances that display a team's skill or dexterity.

Cheerleading teams are restricted to specific stunt rules based on the guidelines of certain associations, organizations, and their designated level.

Since many of the body positions a flyer can perform require a high level of flexibility, this is a desired trait for the role.

[3][4] Spotters are additional athletes whose primary responsibility is to watch the stunt and assist the flyer in the case of a fall or accident.

The safety rules for the sport of cheerleading are in place to protect the athletes from avoidable injury and encompass all aspects of any given routine.

[7] As cheerleading has evolved, a basic set of safety expectations has formed to mitigate the risk of catastrophic injury.

[8] Teams are expected to be under the supervision of a trained coach and are encouraged to only perform high-level stunts and tosses when mats are available.

[9] Stunting rules and regulations for middle and high school cheerleaders are usually created and enforced by that particular state's athletics governing organization, with many following the American Association for Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors (AACCA) guidelines or the National Federation for High School Athletics (NFHS) handbook.

[12] The standard to which these rules and regulations are enforced depends on whether each university classifies cheerleading as an official school sport, club, or some other type of activity.

This is because it is far more dangerous to stack three people on top of each other than it is two, due to the increased distance from the ground and higher likelihood of catastrophic injuries.

[5] A pyramid consists of two or more stunt groups connected by the top persons holding hands, feet, waist, or legs.

Pyramid sequences are often fast-paced, and may involve a variety of heights, mounts, transitions, release moves, and dismounts.

[14] Due to the height of this type of pyramid, this stunt is usually only performed by very experienced college or club squads as the potential for injury is very high.