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Spotting a Doublebase Stunt When spotting a double base elevator or extended elevator, the spot should stand behind the stunt with her hands up on the thighs (in an elevator) or ankles (in an extended elevator) of the partner. If the spot can't reach the ankles of the partner, she should hold the wrists of the bases. Often, spots are told to reach as high as possible, but it is important that the spot not reach too high and remain behind the flyer. Standing behind the flyer is essential: if the spot steps under the stunt she becomes a base, and the stunt becomes illegal because there is no longer a spot. This is illegal because in the event of a fall the flyer will travel too far from the center of the stunt for the "back spot" to be able to catch. The spot should assist on the cradle by catching under the arms. In the event of a fall, the spot should "hook" under the arms of the flyer while turning the head slightly to the side to avoid being injured (in the face) herself. Spotting a Partner Stunt (at a game or performance): Spotting a partner stunt at a game is similar to spotting a partner stunt in the gym. However, because game-ready stunts are more solid there is no need to have two spots. Having too many spots on one stunt at a game gives the audience the impression that the stunt is not mastered and it reduces the number of cheerleaders that can perform elsewhere on the floor. Most squads prefer that spots keep their arms at their sides instead of in the air for a cleaner polished look. This is safe as long as the stunt is "game-ready." Although the unified collegiate safety rules do not require spots on partner stunts--unless the flyer's head is positioned below the hips, the stunt is one arm and one leg is away from the body, or the stunt twists--it is still prudent to have one spot. If the stunt is one that requires a spot under the 2004 unified safety rules, the spot must assist on the cradle. Spotting Pyramids: Pyramids are comprised of several smaller stunts, so spots are normally already a part of the smaller stunts groups. However, it is generally prudent to have an extra spot for each flyer. Most often, these extra spots should be placed in front of the pyramid because there are already spots on the backside and pyramids become more likely to fall forward than single stunts. Spotting an inverted stunt: Spots on inverted stunts should be aggressive and experienced to prevent traumatic head and neck injuries. Usually, when an inverted flyer begins falling she should try to position her body to be at least be parallel with the ground so that she can be caught in a cradle-like (or swan-dive cradle-like) position. Generally this happens naturally when inverted stunts begin to fall and the supporting base continues to hold the upper body. In the event of a direct head first fall, the spots should hug the flyer around the chest and abdomen, protecting the head and shoulders from the ground. The hug should be tight to prevent the flyer from sliding through the hug. If it is possible to reach the flyer during the stunt, the spot can hold the flyer's arm and shoulder through the rotation to keep the head and shoulders safe from the ground. This is particularly useful when a flyer is learning an inverted stunt.
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Spotting a Partner Stunt (while either partner is learning): If either partner in a partner stunt is learning a new skill, partner stunts should have two spots. One stands to the right and slightly behind the base. The second stands to the left and slightly in front of the base. If a cradle is involved, the partner on the right assists on the cradle. Both spots should keep their hands up in the air and remain close to the base. If the stunt falls, the spotters should catch the flyer around the torso and pull her into a tight "hug" around the midsection or hips. Ideally, the spots will catch the flyer before her feet land (preventing rolled ankles) and gently set the flyer on the ground. Spotting Basket or Step-n-Go Tosses: Back spotting a toss is similar to spotting a double base stunt. The back spot gets the best "grip" on the falling flyer and should always be a veteran cheerleader that is respected for his or her spotting skills. Whenever any member of a basket toss group is learning the toss, extra spots should stand at the "corners" of the toss group. These spots can become catchers if any of the bases is pushed away from the stunt, if any of the bases loses footing, if the flyer travels, or if the flyer gets lost in the air and falls in awkward position. After the members of the toss become comfortable with the trick, it is still prudent to keep an emergency spot who stands about 4-6 feet behind the back spot in case the stunt travels backwards (particularly in backward rotating tricks such as backtucks). The front thrower must clear from the stunt to avoid being kicked during the cradle, however, the front thrower should continue to spot the stunt and step in for any throwers that might become incapable of catching.
Spots for 2 and 1/2 high pyramids should be placed strategically depending on the pyramid. Generally, catchers are already behind pyramids, so most additional spots should be placed on the front side of the pyramid or on the side of it. There should be a spot that is directly in line of the direction the flyer is coming from. That is, if the flyer is being tossed on top of the stunt from behind, the extra spot should be directly in front of the pyramid or if the spot is being tossed up from the left, then the spot should be on the right. Unified safety rules require two spots for every flyer that is at the second level (not being supported by a primary base who is on the ground). One of the spots must be on the backside of the pyramid (or wherever the flyer will cradle to). If the second spot is at the front or side of the pyramid she may walk around to assist in a cradle. While learning a new pyramid, there should always be a front spot who remains at the front throughout the entire stunt. While unified college safety rules do not require spots for middle tiers of pyramids, it is prudent to have one spot for each middle tier flyer, particularly if the middle tier is thrown from the pyramid by a falling top flyer. Spotting a rotating stunt : Spotting a rotating stunt (such as rewinds or illusions) is similar to spotting inverted stunts. However, because the stunt is moving through the inverted position, the spot should position the arms to catch the flyer through the rotation. Generally, the spot spots at the side of the stunt and crosses his or her arms so that the top arm is pressing into the direction the rotation is coming from. As the flyer rotates, the spot will follow the flyer with his or her arms and when the flyer finishes the rotation the spot's arms will be crossed in the opposite direction. Note also that in this stance the spot's arms will be open and in the best catching position when the flyer is completely upside down. If either partner is learning a rewind (which is again legal under the 2004 unified rules), two side spots should follow the flyer as well as one spot on the backside to catch a flyer who over-rotates on top of the stunt.
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A Note About Standardized Safety Rules: Safety rules vary from cheerleading organization to organization. In 2004 the UCA, USA, and NCA unified their Collegiate rules so that all three major companies have the same standards. Perhaps in the near future the same will happen for high School safety rules, although the process will be much more difficult because many individual state activities associations have their own rule sets. The unification of safety rules benefits cheerleading for several reasons: There is no confusion about rules because of contradictions in rule sets. Competitive teams do not have to alter stunts, pyramids, and routines for competitions under different organizations. There is more discussion and consensus among cheerleading experts in the legalization or prohibition of stunts. If squads are not bound to a specific set of safety rules (for instance if their high school is not a member of their state's High School Activities Association). They should choose a single set of rules to abide by. Choosing a single set of rules helps avoid confusion and ensures that squad activities are deemed safe by an outside organization. It is usually easiest to choose the rule set of a competition the squad regularly competes in or the rule set of the company that runs the summer camp they attend. If neither of these are applicable, squads should choose a rule set from one of the major cheerleading companies: NCA, UCA, or USA. |
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Advanced Spotting Techniques
When people watch competitions or cheerleaders perform at a game they clap at well executed stunts. Flyers are marveled for their grace and bravery in the air and the bases are applauded for their strength and agility, but nobody cheers for the spotter. You'll never hear the crowd say "did you see the way she spotted that stunt?" When your coach assigns you as a spotter in a stunt you know what that means: nobody will take your picture. You might even be cropped out of pictures in the school newspaper or yearbook. Despite the lack of glamour in being a spot, it is ironic that inside the cheer gym cheerleaders brag most about their spotting skills, swapping stories of that "big catch" that saved a teammate from certain injury. No, spotting is not a glamorous position but all cheerleaders know the importance of spotting. Whether you've been saved by a teammate or had a teammate thank you with a hug because of your spotting, you know that being a spot is a sacred honor.
Often squads place rookie cheerleaders in spot positions because they are not yet sure of the new members' ability to stunt. "Just catch her if she falls," they tell the new spot. That's an unfortunate line: you wouldn't tell a new flyer "just jump up there" or a new base "just toss her up." Training a new cheerleader to be a spot should take just as much time as training a flyer to fly or a base the base. But if "just catch" isn't enough training, what else is there to know? The following, while not a complete guide to spotting covers the most essential spotting techniques every cheerleader should brag about.
The Keys to good spotting:
1. Never assume a stunt can't fall: Just because you've seen a group or couple throw a stunt a million times doesn't mean that it can't fall. Becoming complacent while spotting "easy" stunts is a great danger. Always assume that a stunt will fall until the flyer is safe on the ground.
2. Do not watch the stunt like a spectator: cheerleading stunts are impressive feats of athleticism. It is enjoyable to watch a stunt and appreciate it's showmanship. However, when you are spotting it is important that you do not watch the show; instead, watch for signs of misalignment, instability, and other indications that the stunt is in danger of falling.
3. Watch the hips of the flyer: A flyer's hips are the best indicator of the direction she is moving. If her hips are in front of the rest of her body, or the base's body line, she will fall forward. In addition, if the spot is focused on the hips of the stunt, she will be watching the target catch area of the flyer. In twisting skills, focusing on the hips helps ensure that you do not lose sight of the flyer while she is twisting.
4. Catch the body, not the limbs: The head and shoulders are the most important parts of the body to save. Spotters should always catch the body. Catching the arms is often not enough to stop the flyer's fall and may result in dislocated of joints (although using arms to brace while learning is acceptable). Catching the legs causes the flyer to rotate and the upper body to hit the ground first, causing a worse injury than if there was no spotter at all.