Built to Base

You don't need to be the incredible hulk to be an amazing base. You don't need bulging muscles or ripped legs. To be a base you need to have strength in not only your body but also your mind. It also helps to have good technique to avoid getting injured or having the stunt fall. A few tips on good technique for basing is just below!

Picture from Google Image Search



#1 Height

It's really important to be paired up with another base who is similar height as you. If you're two inches taller or less then it's fine. You definitely don't want to a base that 5'3'' when you're 5'7'' because it would just never work. To avoid height issues with your paired base even when it's only a few inches off spread your legs apart if you're taller or have her do it if she is. You want to have equal height because it needs to be even level and stable for your flyer.

 

#2 Wrist Together

When basing a lot of people get sloppy during a long and hard stunt sequence and they start to let they wrist come apart so that they're only holding the flyer's toe and heel. Think about it this way when you're holding her like that the middle of her foot is dropping down and adding more pressure and weight on you. If you just get your wrist together or even an inch or two apart if the flyer has bigger feet then you should be able to help her keep stable.

 

#3 Comfort Zone

During a long stunt sequence you could lose a lot of your energy and when it comes time to stunt you might be out of breath and have no strength. Make sure that if you know you can't hit that extension to tell your back spot right before you push up. Just say "half" and she'll understand because if you're not comfortable enough to do it, it'll be better then dropping the stunt. Always keep to your comfort zone and don't let anyone in your stunt group, or even your coach push you too hard because that's when injuries happen.

 

#4 Good Posture

When performing a stunt is very important to have good posture and keep your back straight because you don't want to lift with your back instead of your legs. Lifting with your back could cause injuries or back problems later on. Instead of leaning over for a stunt, keep your back straight and bend your knees to get lower and closer to the other base or the flyer's foot.

 

#5 Timing

In stunting having counts for each skill is important but it's even more important be hit those counts with your other base. Timing is the key to every stunt hitting or missing. You could have the best stunt group in the world but if they never know how to time their stunts right they'll drop every stunt.

 

#6 Be Alert

Literally anything can happen when your flyer is in the air, and it's your job to be alert and maybe sure when she falls she doesn't hit the group. When stunting be sure to keep your eyes on her the whole time, and make sure not to be talking. When stunt groups aren't paying attention is when accidents happen.

 

 

I hope all of these basing techniques are useful to you or your stunt group!

 

Love,

A Cheerleader