Stretch Your Imagination
Prepare to be wowed by this single-based Heel Stretch power press to Scorpion performed by Mackinzy, Margeaux, Angie and Carrie from Woodinville HS in Washington.
Photos by Curtis Callaway
Article by Craig Callaway
Check with your state cheer organization to make sure this stunt is legal at the high school level.
STEP 1: Set
Flyer: Stand with your left leg on the ground and your right foot in the hands of the right base. Place your hands firmly on the bases' shoulders and center yourself into the stunt with your chest over your right foot.
Right Base: Set as if you are going to load a Prep, with your legs in a double lunge position and both hands at your belly button. Tip: Keep your back straight and don't stick your butt out.
Left Base: Set with your legs in a double lunge position and place your right hand under the flyer's right foot. Firmly grasp the flyer's upper right shin with your left hand. Tip: Keep your back straight and don't stick your butt out.
Back Spot: Begin in a crouched position, with your left hand under the flyer's seat and your right hand gripping her right ankle. Make sure you're positioned close to the stunt and that your left shoulder is below the flyer's seat.
STEP 2: Throw
Flyer: On the designated count, jump off the ground with your standing foot and push hard off the bases' shoulders as you step up into the stunt. Keep your weight on the right foot as you stand up and travel to the top of the stunt. Once you've reached the top, keep your chest up, feet together and hands at your sides.
Right Base: Using primarily your legs, lift the flyer straight up on the designated count, following through with your arms until they are locked out overhead. Tip: Make sure that you are not leaning forward and throwing with your back. This will cause back injuries in the long run.
Left Base: Using primarily your legs, lift the flyer straight up on the designated count, with your right hand under the foot and your left hand on the shin. Make sure to follow through your toss until the right arm is locked out overhead. Release your left hand at the top of the stunt and move into a Liberty grip as you step your right foot underneath the stunt. Once the stunt is stable, square off and face forward.
Back Spot: On the designated count, push the flyer straight up as hard as you can, using primarily your legs and left arm. As the flyer is propelled upward, follow through with your right hand on her ankle. At the top of the stunt, grasp the flyer's right ankle with your left hand as high as you can to add support to the stunt.
STEP 3: Heel Stretch
Flyer: Keep your legs together in a Post position. Wait until the bases have completely locked out their arms and have control of the stunt, before hitting your Heel Stretch position. Tip: If you have a weak ankle, flex the toes of your right foot apart and touch them to the top of your shoe. This will lock out your ankle and keep it from wiggling.
Right Base: Hold the stunt like you would a double-based Extension. Your hands should be under the flyer's right toe and heel for balance and support as the flyer pulls her Heel Stretch. Tip: The flyer's weight should now be primarily over the left base. Keep your eyes on the flyer at all times.
Left Base: Facing front and not the left base, make sure you are completely underneath the stunt. Keep your arms and back straight as the flyer pulls her Heel Stretch. Tip: Once the stunt is stable and the flyer has pulled her Heel Stretch, you may choose to release your left arm from the stunt. Keep your eyes on the flyer at all times!
Back Spot: Keep your hands on the flyer's right ankle for added support. If you can't reach the flyer's ankles, then you should grasp the base's wrists or arms. Tip: Be careful—if you touch the bottom of the flyer's feet, then you are considered a base and this stunt will be illegal!
STEP 4: Power Press
Flyer: Hold your Heel Stretch position throughout the power press. Be sure to keep your body as tight as possible and keep your chest up as your bases dip you and then return you to an extended position.
Right Base: On the designated count, dip with your legs and shrug your shoulders to give the flyer a slight pop up into the air. Keep the flyer's foot close to your body and follow her momentum downward. Slow the flyer's downward motion once you hit the sponge position, then lift her back up to an extended position. Tip: Keep your legs in place and don't dance your feet around! The best thing you can do for this stunt is to give the flyer your shoulder to grab onto to slow herself down.
Left Base: On the designated count, dip with your legs and shrug your shoulders to give the flyer a slight pop up into the air. Release your left hand from the flyer's foot and reach for the shin of her right leg. Keep her foot close to your body and follow her momentum downward. Your right foot should step out from under the stunt, so that you can face the left base. Once the stunt has moved into the sponge position, push the flyer back up into an extended position. Tip: Keep your legs in place and don't dance your feet around! The best thing you can do for this stunt is to give the flyer your shoulder to grab onto to help slow herself down.
Back Spot: On the designated count, keep your right hand on the flyer's ankle and reach with your left hand towards her seat. Help the bases slow the flyer's momentum as she moves into the sponge position and then help push her back up into an extended position. Regrip the bases' wrists or the flyer's ankle to secure the stunt at the top.
STEP 5: Rotation
Flyer: Once you return to the extended Heel Stretch position, wait for the designated count and then bring your extended leg back down to the Post position. Remain tight as your bases pivot you to face to the right. Keep your chest up and your dangling leg close to your standing leg.
Right Base: Once the flyer has hit her extended Heel Stretch and the stunt is secure, wait for the flyer to bring her foot down to the Post position. Stay tight and shift your weight backward with the stunt as it turns to the right. Tip: The only thing that should move is your body position, as you make the quarter-turn to the right. You may take a slight step behind the left base in order to keep the stunt stable.
Left Base: Once the flyer has hit her extended Heel Stretch and the stunt is secure, wait for the flyer to bring her foot down to the Post position. Stay tight and turn your wrist to the right, while keeping your body facing the front. The stunt should now be facing to the right.
Back Spot: Once the flyer has hit her extended Heel Stretch and the stunt is secure, wait for the flyer to bring her foot down to the Post position. Tightly onto the base's wrists or the flyer's ankle as you shift with the stunt and it turns to the right.
STEP 6: Scorpion
Flyer: Once the stunt has shifted and you are facing right, pull your dangling leg into the Scorpion position. Keep your chest up and extend your arms and legs overhead.
Right & Left Bases: Hold tightly to the flyer's foot as she moves into her Scorpion. Your eyes should remain on the flyer at all times. Tip: If the Scorpion is secure, the left base may choose to release her left arm and place on hip or in a high V.
Back Spot: Hold tightly to the bases' wrists or the flyer's ankle as she moves into the Scorpion position. Your eyes should remain on the flyer at all times.
