A main base is one of the most important people in a stunt group. A stunt group is made up of four main roles: the flyer, the main base, the side base, and the back spot. Each of these roles has a special job that helps the team perform difficult and exciting stunts safely and smoothly.
The main base has the biggest responsibility when it comes to holding up the flyer. The flyer is the cheerleader who gets lifted or tossed into the air. The main base supports most of the flyer’s weight and helps keep them balanced while they are in the air. Because of this, the main base needs to be strong, focused, and have great technique.
What Does a Main Base Do?
The main base usually stands on the left side of the stunt group (from the group’s point of view). They place their hands under the flyer’s foot and lift them up using strength from their legs, arms, and core muscles. During a stunt, the main base keeps their arms locked and eyes on the flyer to make sure everything stays steady.
Main bases have to work very closely with the side base. Together, they share the load of the flyer and help keep the stunt balanced. But the main base is often the one doing a little more of the lifting and stabilizing. That’s why it’s so important for the main base to have good timing and strong technique. If the main base is even a little off, the whole stunt can become shaky or even fall.
Skills a Main Base Needs
Being a main base is not just about being strong. It’s also about being smart and working well with your teammates. A main base has to be:
- Strong: They need upper body strength to lift the flyer and lower body strength to stay steady and support the stunt.
- Focused: A main base must pay close attention to the flyer and the other bases to keep everything working together.
- Quick to react: If something goes wrong during a stunt, the main base has to act fast to catch the flyer or fix the stunt safely.
- A good communicator: Talking and working with the side base, back spot, and flyer is important. Everyone has to be on the same page.
- Consistent: A good main base performs the same way every time, so their teammates know what to expect and can trust them.
Common Stunts and the Main Base’s Role
Here are a few stunts where the main base plays a big part:
Prep: In this basic stunt, the main base and side base lift the flyer to shoulder height. The main base helps hold one foot and keep the flyer steady.
Extension: This is when the flyer is lifted all the way above the bases’ heads. The main base helps push the flyer up and lock their arms to keep the stunt high and safe.
Liberty (or “Lib”): In this stunt, the flyer stands on one foot. The main base has to be extra strong and focused to help keep the flyer balanced on one leg.
Basket toss: Even though this is more of a team stunt, the main base helps throw the flyer into the air and then gets ready to catch them safely.
Why the Main Base Is Important
Without a strong main base, a stunt can fall apart. They are the foundation of the stunt, kind of like the bottom of a pyramid. If the base is solid and steady, everything else can be strong and successful. If the base is shaky, the flyer might feel unsafe or lose balance.
Main bases also help keep the flyer safe. They are often the first ones to catch the flyer if something goes wrong. That’s why cheerleaders who are main bases take their jobs very seriously. They work hard to build strength, learn correct techniques, and support their team.
In the world of cheer, every role matters—but the main base is truly the backbone of every stunt. They lift, balance, and protect the flyer while working closely with the rest of the stunt group.
Without a great main base, there can’t be a great stunt!
