Omni Cheer Blog

Key Takeaways

• The cheerleading elevator stunt is considered a basic move that is ideal for beginners learning how to stunt.
• For this move, you’ll need at least one spotter, two bases, and a flyer to ensure safety and cohesion.
• The most important elements of this stunt include timing (counting off), hand placement, and balance.

Elevator Cheer Stunt

The elevator is a basic stunt in cheerleading that can be performed alone to add a “WOW!” factor or used as an entry into a full extension and more complex stunts. Although this is a basic move, the elevator still requires strength, agility skills, and trust among squad members. This move should be performed only under proper, trained supervision to ensure everyone’s safety.

If you’re ready to teach your team the cheerleading elevator stunt, follow the guide below for simple, step-by-step instructions.

Set-Up for the Elevator Stunt

First, set up your stunt groups. You’ll need at least one spotter, two bases, and a flyer. Your team will also need to decide on synchronization. Each group performing the elevator cheer stunt should decide on a designated count series, such as “one, two, three, four’ or “down, up’ to ensure synchronized timing. The back spotter is the one who should be calling out the count series. This stunt can begin with “Ready, set,” where all positions bring their arms up and clap once on beat, then drop their arms and move into position.

How To Perform An Elevator Cheer Lift

Each position that’s part of the team performing the cheerleading elevator has its own responsibilities throughout the duration of the stunt. Let’s review what bases, spotters, and flyers need to do to ensure a safe, impressive elevator stunt.

Step-by-Step Elevator Cheer Stunt

This guide for the cheerleading elevator stunt will take you through the entire routine from start to finish. Follow as we call out each position and what they should be doing at every point in the stunt.

To Begin:

1. Bases: The bases should be standing in a shoulder-to-hip-width stance, facing each other so they can make eye contact. Their arms should be against their sides.
2. Flyer: The flyer should face forward, in between, and slightly behind the bases. The flyer’s arms should be against their sides.
3. Spotter: There should be at least one back spotter for the elevator stunt. A front spotter can also be used, but this guide will only cover a back spotter. The back spotter should be positioned directly behind the flyer, facing forward.

Entry:

1. Bases: On the right count, the bases should go into their half squat, keeping their backs straight and their heads apart. Each base should cup their hands, palms up, in anticipation of receiving the flyer’s foot.
2. Flyer: The flyer positions one hand on each of the base’s shoulders, keeping their arms bent and their elbows up. Simultaneously, the flyer lifts one leg to about a 90-degree angle, loading that foot inside one of their base’s cupped hands.
3. Spotter: The spotter should position their hands on the flyer’s waist. Their grip should be firm but loose enough not to restrict. The spotter is responsible for counting the moves to ensure synchronized timing during the cheerleading elevator.

Momentum

1. Bases: The bases will hold their supporting position while the flyer gains momentum for the lift.
2. Flyer: The flyer should straighten their arms to lift their free foot slightly off the ground. Then, the flyer should bend their arms again and bring their foot back down. This should not be a bouncing motion; it should be a controlled movement that gives the lift more power.
3. Spotter: The spotter will hold their supporting position while the flyer gains momentum for the cheer lift, and continue the count series.

Time for the Lift

1. Bases: As the flyer brings their foot back down on count, the bases should dip down (following the prompts from the spotters count off). After the flyer loads their free foot into the other base’s palms, the bases will begin to straighten their legs and extend their arms upwards to lift the flyer. The lift is not a jumping motion. The bases should lift from their legs, using the momentum of their squat to propel the flyer upwards, and support the flyer on their palms. For a cheerleading elevator, the bases should stop lifting at the shoulder or chin level, and hold the flyer at that height.
2. Flyer: As the flyer lands their free foot, they should repeat the push off, but this time, load their free foot into the free hands of the waiting base. As they are loading their foot, they should also begin to dip with the bases. The bases will begin to rise, lifting the flyer. While the bases are rising, the flyer should begin to move into a standing position by pushing off the base’s shoulders and straightening their legs. The flyer should lock their legs and tighten their core once they are in the air and their legs are straight. Once in position, the flyer can extend their arms into a “T” or “V” position.
3. Spotter: As the flyer brings their foot back down on the spotter’s count, the spotter should keep their hands on the flyer’s waist and dip with the stunt group. The spotter will help the flyer rise and maintain stability during the lift. Once the flyer begins to stand, the spotter should release the flyer’s waist and firmly position their hands either at the tops of the flyer’s ankles or low on the flyer’s calves and help the bases lift the flyer.

Dismount

There are a few options for dismounting from a cheerleading elevator during practice, depending on your experience, skill, and comfort.

• The bases and spotters can work together to lower the flyer back onto the ground using the same count series. It would basically be a reversal of the moves, and should be done slowly and softly. If you choose to have a front spotter, they would hold the flyer’s hands as their stunt group lowers them.
• If the stunt group is ready for something a little more advanced, they can use a cradle to dismount from an elevator.

Check out the step-by-step instructions and visual guide from the Beginner’s Guide: How To Perform a Cradle article to learn more about this move.

Tips For Performing An Elevator Stunt

When performing a cheerleading elevator, safety should be everyone’s number-one concern. Take a look at these tips for performing the elevator cheer stunt and apply them during practice for the best possible results:

• Everyone’s eyes should be on the flyer at all times. This is a safety precaution, and also a requirement for many competitions.
• Bases should stand as close together as possible without restricting the flyer’s space. If the bases create too much distance, the flyer may end up with sloppy form since their legs will be in a split position, possibly straining and toppling the entire stunt.
• The flyer should always concentrate on looking straight ahead, not down. Looking down will cause a loss of balance.
• Your practice wear and uniforms need to be fitted so that no one gets tangled up in extra material.
• Remember! It’s important for cheerleaders who are active in stunting to wear appropriate shoes and attire to support them and reduce injury risk.

If you’re shopping for the right cheerleading shoes, look for styles that feature finger grips, heel grooves, smoother traction on the bottom (flyers, your bases will be thanking you later), and flexible support. The team at Omni Cheer loves the Asics Gel-Comp 2 for stunting.

Cheerleading Elevator FAQ

Is the elevator stunt safe for beginners?

Yes, this stunt is considered one of the more basic stunts in cheerleading, so it should be safe when performed under the supervision of your coach. You should also make sure you always have one or more spotters during the stunt for enhanced safety.

What skills should cheerleaders learn before attempting an elevator cheer stunt?

For a flyer, core and balance are the most important. Practice balancing on an unstable surface, such as a half-balance ball.

For bases, your core and legs are key, as well as your shoulder and back strength. You can practice squats, pushups, and chest presses with free weights to get the feel of lifting the weight of a flyer during the stunt.

Why is timing important in a cheerleading elevator stunt?

Everyone in the group is connected during the elevator stunt, meaning you must move as a unit. If one person lifts before the rest of the group is ready, you won’t be able to maximize momentum and strength. With one person calling out timing, you can ensure cohesive movement for more power and control.

What are the common mistakes when learning a cheerleading elevator stunt?

Some of the most common mistakes with this stunt include:

• Bases using their arms to lift instead of their legs
• Incorrect hand placement on the flyer’s feet
• Flyer being too loose, not holding their core
• Poor timing from people in the group that throws off momentum and rhythm

Learn More Moves

Omni Cheer loves being part of your growth as you work toward becoming the best cheer squad possible. Whether it’s guidance with the cheerleading elevator stunt or exercises to strengthen specific skills, our blog offers tons of advice and support for cheerleaders at every level.

Keep learning and improving when you check other articles that review what to expect at tryouts, how to do basic cheerleading stances, and where to find the best gear and accessories!