How to Perform a Leg Star

The Leg Star is a simple pyramid that is visually pleasing to audiences and judges alike. The counts are done in pairs, but the motion of the movement takes place on the odd number.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cheerleading advisor or coach supervision
• A good surface, preferably matted
• Three bases
• Three flyers
• Three back spotters

1. Three bases stand in a “U” formation approximately an arm’s length apart. Two bases face each other and the middle base faces the front. It is important that they can touch because later in the stunt they will be bracing each other for support.

2. The flyers stand directly behind their respective bases and the back spots stand behind their flyers.

3. Count, 5, 6, 7, 8, 1, 2. The first four counts prepare the group for stunting. On “1,” the arms of the bases reach for each other. The left base puts her arms out palms up, the right base puts her arms out palms down and they grab each other’s wrists. The middle base puts her arms out palms up and grabs the two front wrists of the side bases. The flyers grab their bases shoulders.

4. Count 3, 4. On 3, the flyer bends her right leg for her back spot to grab. The back spot squats and wraps her hands around the ankle and the thigh.

5. Count 5, 6. On 5, the back spot pushes the bent leg up and straightens it. The back spot’s arms are extended and the flyers legs are kept together. The flyer’s head is above her base’s head and her arms are fully extended.

6. Count 7, 8. On 7, the flyer’s free leg is going to kick up to an arabesque. The illusion is a star, hence the name, Leg Star.

7. To dismount, the flyers bring the leg in the arabesque parallel to the leg the back spot is holding (like Step 5). The back spots drop the leg which is being held and grab onto the flyer’s waist to absorb the drop. The bases release the interlocking of arms. The cleaning, or dismounting, of this stunt of most effective when done to counts.

Tips & Warnings

• No one should talk while stunting except the coach or back spotter.
• The back spotter calls everything while stunting; she is in control of the stunt.
• Every stunt should be done to counts in order that everyone has the same timing. Timing is as important to proper stunting as strength and correct form.
• Everyone should know what position they are and what their job will be during the stunt. Stunting is a team effort!