Decoding the Sparkly Chaos for Confused Dads
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Hey, cheer dads! So, you’ve found yourself at a competition, surrounded by glitter, deafening music, and kids flipping through the air like it’s no big deal—meanwhile, you’re just trying to figure out if “flyer” means your kid’s about to board a plane. Don’t worry, CheerDad911 is here to rescue you from the cheer-speak jungle. This glossary breaks down 100 key terms into bite-sized, dad-friendly chunks, grouped into categories like stunts, tumbling, and jumps. Whether your kid’s soaring above the mat or you’re just hoping the snack bar opens soon, we’ve got you covered with definitions and a little humor to keep your sanity intact. Let’s dive into the wild world of cheer—grab your coffee and let’s go!
Stunts: When Your Kid Defies Gravity (and Your Nerves)
These are the moves where cheerleaders lift, toss, or balance each other in ways that make you proud—and a little queasy. Here’s what’s happening up there:
Arabesque: A stunt where the flyer extends one leg straight back while balancing on the other, held by bases. Basically, a flamingo pose, but in midair.
Basket Toss: A stunt where the bases toss the flyer into the air, often with spins or flips, before catching them. Yes, they’re throwing your kid like a football. Yes, it’s supposed to happen.
Cradle: A catch where the bases safely bring the flyer back down after a stunt or toss, usually into their arms. The part where you can breathe again.
Dismount: The way a flyer comes down from a stunt—could be a cradle, pop-off, or step-down. How your kid lands without you needing a stretcher.
Extension: A stunt where the bases hold the flyer high above their heads with arms fully extended. When you realize your kid’s braver than you’ll ever be.
Full-Up: A stunt where the flyer does a full 360-degree spin while being lifted by the bases. Your kid’s twirling like a top—don’t blink.
Heel Stretch: A stunt where the flyer grabs one foot and pulls it high above their head while balancing on the other leg. Like a splits in the sky—don’t try this at home, Dad.
High V: A stunt or motion where arms are raised in a V-shape above the head, often part of a pyramid. Looks like a victory pose—hope it means they’re winning.
Hitch: A small adjustment in a stunt where the flyer hooks one leg around the base’s arm or shoulder. A little cheat code to stay steady up there.
Liberty (Lib): A stunt where the flyer stands on one leg (usually with the other bent) while bases hold them up. Statue of Liberty, but smaller and sparklier.
Needle: A stunt where the flyer grabs one foot behind their head and straightens it upward, like a needle. Your kid’s flexibility just called you old.
One-Man: A stunt where a single base lifts the flyer overhead, no extra help. One guy, one flyer, one heart attack for you.
Pop-Off: A dismount where the flyer jumps off the stunt into the arms of the bases or spotters. Like a trust fall with extra flair.
Prep: A lower-level stunt where bases hold the flyer at chest or shoulder height before pushing higher. The warm-up before they yeet your kid skyward.
Pyramid: A multi-person stunt formation where cheerleaders stack or connect stunts, often with flyers at the top. Like a human Jenga tower—don’t sneeze nearby.
Reload: A move where bases dip and reset to lift the flyer back into a stunt. The do-over button when the first try wobbles.
Scale: A stunt where the flyer balances on one leg while holding the other high and to the side, like a scale. Your kid’s a living art piece up there.
Scorpion: A stunt where the flyer grabs one foot behind their head with both hands, arching their back. Your kid’s a human pretzel—cheer edition.
Show-and-Go: A quick stunt that’s performed and immediately dismounted, no holding. Blink and you’ll miss it—pay attention, Dad.
Shoulder Sit: A basic stunt where the flyer sits on the base’s shoulders. The chill version—your kid’s just hitching a ride.
Sponge: A transition where bases bend their knees to “load” the flyer before lifting. The squat before the launch—don’t skip leg day, bases.
Stag: A stunt or pose where one leg is bent and the other extended, often in pyramids. Like a deer caught mid-leap, but sparkly.
Stunt: Any move where cheerleaders lift or toss another into the air—think lifts, extensions, or tosses. The part that makes you proud and panicked at the same time.
Switch-Up: A stunt where the flyer switches legs mid-air while being held by bases. Your kid’s swapping poses like a pro gymnast.
Tick-Tock: A stunt where the flyer switches feet in mid-air, bases tossing one leg to catch the other. A high-stakes game of hot potato with your kid’s legs.
Twist Cradle: A dismount where the flyer spins or twists before landing in the cradle. Your kid’s adding a spin cycle to the landing.
Two-High: A pyramid or stunt with two levels of flyers stacked vertically. Double the height, double the “oh crap” moment.
Up-and-Over: A stunt where the flyer is tossed over a base or group to land on the other side. Like a hurdle race, but with humans.
Walk-In: A smooth entry into a stunt where the flyer steps up into position. No drama, just your kid strolling into the air.
Yankee: A flashy dismount where the flyer is tossed high and caught with a dramatic flair. Your kid’s going out with a bang—hold the applause.
Aerial: A cartwheel or flip with no hands touching the ground. Your kid’s defying gravity and your understanding of physics.
Back Handspring: A tumbling move where the cheerleader flips backward onto their hands, then feet, in one fluid motion. Your kid’s way of saying, “I don’t need a trampoline, Dad.”
Back Tuck: A backward flip with knees tucked to the chest. A cannonball with style—hope they stick the landing.
Cartwheel: A basic tumbling move where the cheerleader rolls sideways, hands and feet alternating. The starter move before they go full ninja.
Double Full: A tumbling pass with two full twists in the air—like a double spin flip. Your kid’s spinning faster than your head after three comps in a row.
Front Handspring: A forward flip landing on hands, then springing to feet. Like a back handspring’s cooler cousin.
Front Tuck: A forward flip with knees tucked to the chest. Your kid’s somersaulting into your proud-dad tears.
Full: A tumbling pass with a single full twist in the air during a flip. One spin, all wow—don’t try counting the rotations.
Handstand: A gymnastics move where the cheerleader balances on their hands, feet in the air. Your kid’s upside-down and loving it.
Layout: A tumbling move where the cheerleader flips backward in a straight-body position, no tuck or twist. Think Superman, but upside down and scarier.
Punch Front: A forward flip launched from a jump, tucking in mid-air. Your kid’s punching the air and landing like a boss.
Round-Off: A tumbling move that transitions from a cartwheel into a backward flip or handspring. The fancy pivot that makes dads dizzy just watching.
Running Tumbling: A series of tumbling moves done in a straight line with momentum. Your kid’s a human pinwheel—good luck keeping up.
Standing Tuck: A back tuck performed from a standstill, no run-up. Zero to flip in 0.2 seconds—your jaw’s on the floor.
Tuck: A tumbling move where the cheerleader pulls their knees to their chest while flipping in the air. Like a cannonball, but fancier and on purpose.
Tumble: Gymnastic moves like cartwheels, back handsprings, or flips performed on the mat. When they roll, flip, or bounce—and you just hope they land.
Twist: A rotation added to a tumbling move, like a full or double full. Your kid’s turning into a tornado up there.
Walkover: A tumbling move where the cheerleader rolls over hands to feet, forward or backward. Looks effortless, feels like wizardry.
Whip: A fast, no-twist backflip that links into other tumbling moves. Your kid’s whipping around like a blur—don’t blink.
X-Out: A tumbling move where the cheerleader flips with legs spread into an X shape mid-air. Your kid’s spelling victory, one flip at a time.
Double Hook: A jump where both legs are bent backward at the knees, like hooks. Your kid’s legs are doing origami mid-air.
Herkie: A jump where one leg is straight out front and the other is bent back, named after cheer pioneer Lawrence Herkimer. Looks painful, sounds like a sneeze. It’s a classic.
Hurdler: A jump where one leg extends forward and the other tucks back, like jumping a hurdle. Your kid’s leaping imaginary fences—cheer style.
Pike: A jump or stunt position where the cheerleader bends at the hips, legs straight out in front. Looks like a V—sounds like a dad groan when you try it.
Russian: A jump where the cheerleader lifts both legs straight up and out to the sides. Your kid’s doing the splits in mid-air—ouch.
Side Hurdler: A jump with one leg extended to the side, the other bent back. Half hurdler, all impressive—don’t try this on the bleachers.
Spread Eagle: A jump with legs spread wide to the sides, arms often in a T. Your kid’s a human starfish—hope they land soft.
Star Jump: A jump with arms and legs spread wide, forming a star shape mid-air. Like a snow angel, but faster and louder.
Toe Touch: A jump where the cheerleader kicks both legs out to the sides, aiming to touch their toes (or close). Proof your kid’s more flexible than you’ll ever be again.
Tuck Jump: A jump where the cheerleader pulls both knees up to their chest in mid-air. Your kid’s tucking like they’re dodging a dodgeball.
C Jump: A jump where the body curves into a C shape mid-air. Your kid’s a human parenthesis—cheer math is wild.
Double Nine: A jump where one arm and leg form a “9” shape, super tricky. Your kid’s drawing numbers in the air—extra credit!
Jump: A basic cheer move where the cheerleader leaps off the ground with a specific leg position. The part where you clap—even if you don’t get it.
Power Jump: A high, explosive jump with maximum height and energy. Your kid’s launching like a rocket—hold onto your hat.
Triple Jump: A combo of three jumps performed back-to-back. Your kid’s hopping like a pro—don’t blink or you’ll miss it.