As with many sports, All Star Cheer comes with its own language that truly is a collection of various terminology, sayings, etc. that for the non-cheer community may cause quite inquisitive looks upon hearing them.
The term ‘Lib’ falls right into this category.
If one was to listen in on any random practice at any All Star Cheer gym in the country, particularly as the “Levels” get higher, this term may be frequently heard.
So what exactly is a ‘Lib’?
“Lib” is short for “Liberty”, which is a common stunt where a flyer balances on one foot while being held up in the air by their bases. The other leg is bent at the knee, with the foot tucked against the supporting leg’s knee or ankle. This stunt is used in many cheer routines because it looks impressive and can be built into more advanced skills.
It is called a “Liberty” because of the way the flyer stands on one leg while lifting the other, creating a strong and balanced position that looks like a symbol of freedom or independence—similar to the Statue of Liberty.
Many skill names in cheer describe how they look or what they represent. Since the “Liberty” skill features a flyer standing tall and proud on one foot, just like Lady Liberty holds her torch high, the name “Liberty” makes sense. Over time, athletes started calling it a “Lib” for short because it’s easier and faster to say during routines and practices.
To understand a Lib, let’s take a look at the different roles in cheer stunts:
Flyer
The person lifted into the air. In a Lib, the flyer stands on one foot while keeping their body tight.
Bases
The athletes on the ground who hold up the flyer. A Lib is usually done with two bases, one holding each side of the flyer’s foot.
Back Spot
A person standing behind the stunt who helps support the flyer’s ankle and back to keep them steady.
Front Spot (optional)
A person in front of the stunt who helps with balance and control.
How to Perform a Lib
Starting Position: The flyer stands on the bases’ hands with both feet while the back spot helps stabilize them.
Lifting UP: The bases push the flyer into the air, and the flyer shifts all their weight onto one foot.
Hitting the Lib Position: The flyer bends the free leg at the knee and lifts it up, balancing on the standing foot. Their arms can be in a high “V” shape or on their hips.
Holding the Stunt: The bases stay steady while the flyer keeps their core tight to stay balanced. The back spot continues supporting for safety.
Dismounting: The flyer safely comes down by stepping onto both feet or doing a cradle (where the bases catch them).
Why Is a Lib Important?
A Lib is one of the most important stunts in cheerleading because it is the foundation for many harder skills. Once a team masters a basic Lib, they can build on it to create more advanced stunts like:
Heel Stretch: The flyer holds their lifted foot with their hand.
Arabesque: The flyer extends their back leg straight behind them.
Scorpion: The flyer pulls their lifted foot behind their head.
Bow and Arrow: The flyer holds their lifted foot and pulls it up while stretching the other arm forward.
These stunts help teams score higher in competitions and make their routines look exciting.
What Makes a Good Lib?
A great Lib requires:
Balance: The flyer must stay steady on one foot.
Tight Core: Keeping stomach muscles strong helps maintain control.
Strong Bases: The bases must hold the stunt high and steady.
Teamwork: Every athlete in the stunt group has an important job.
Mastering a Lib takes practice, strength, and teamwork, but it is one of the most important skills in all of All Star Cheer because of how so much else is built off it!
