Male flyer

[dlehmlan]

Hey, my Cheer Team (6 guys, 6 girls) is having a lot of fun trying one of my guys as a flyer in a basket toss - any suggestions for a masculine "skill" at the top?

[Kong]

I'm not sure why you would put a guy in a basket toss with such a small squad when you can optimize your strength by using the guys in groups of three to throw two basket tosses.

As far as putting guys up in a basket toss, opinions on the practice vary.  If you're looking for a "masculine skill," I suppose you could begin by defining what you mean by a "masculine skill."  From a personal perspective, I've only seen one highly impressive basket toss where a guy was the top and it was a beautiful double full...something that's illegal on every level but college.

In the meantime, if you do decide to put a guy up in a basket toss, be sure he has worked through partner stunt progressions first.  The lead up skill for a basket toss is an elevator straight up to extension with a pop cradle.  The lead up skill for a straight up extension is an elevator and you should be doing climbing skills (e.g. step up drill, L-Stand) and climbing with weight transfer skills (e.g. walk up single base shoulder stand, split from thighs) prior to even attempting an elevator.  AFTER you've gone through the progressions, you should perfect the straight ride before trying any "masculine skill" at the top and, of course, don't forget to have a coach there whenever you practice any skills.

Has your squad worked through the partner stunt progressions prior to attempting a basket toss?

Kong

[coolcoach]

Hey, my Cheer Team (6 guys, 6 girls) is having a lot of fun trying one of my guys as a flyer in a basket toss - any suggestions for a masculine "skill" at the top?

I agree with Kong. As a coach, I don't see why you'd put up a guy in place of a girl when you could have 2 AWESOME baskets (using girls) with great height using your  guys in groups of 3 to throw them.

[dlehmlan]

Thanks for your input.  Yes - we have done progression skills.  The reason behind the idea to fly one guy is this.  We are working on a stunt routine to perform at an upcoming game.  This music has great accents and we are basket tossing 3 girls.  The final accent is where we would put the guy flyer.
Just trying to surprise the crowd.

[Miss April]

I think that's a very cool idea.  I have liked seeing male fliers at comps and things like that, it is definitely a surprise, and as with females, if they have got the proper technique, why couldn't they fly?

As far as "masculine" skills, I would have all three fliers do the same.  Even a toe-touch or a kick toss.

Let us know how it goes!

[apeman54]

In our routine we have a all male back tuck basket. The crowds really like it when they see a guy flying in anything though. Don't know if they like the idea of the guy flying or the fact that its not a 100lbs girl being tossed. I think its more the awe of throwing somebody quite a bit larger than the average flyer myself. Like kong said though i would start slow and work your way up depending on what experience you have to work with. We kinda jumped right into the back tuck basket because our flyer is a dare devil and he trust us to catch him no matter what happens (mind you he has many many year tumbling experience and controls his body very well). If you decide to put a guy in the air anything is going to look masculane less of course you have him do a hair flip and knee cross at the top and the crowd will love to see the guy in the air.

just my 2 cents

Sean

[Kong]

Also, please keep in mind that some skills are not legal at your level.  For instance, if you are a high school squad, you SHOULD NOT be doing a back tuck basket toss.  All inverted skills where the body starts upright and becomes inverted are illegal on the high school level...

WHETHER IT'S AT A COMPETITION OR NOT!!!
Kong

[apeman54]

Sorry Kong should have added that. I forget being open level 6 allstar we get a lot of liberties high school squads don't.

Please stunt safely everyone and follow the rules for the division in which you fall. There will be plenty of time for learning new skills as you move up in level. Be it High School to College or on an all star squad.

[LETS GO RED!]

I suppose a mascot flyer is next, huh??? 

[apeman54]

I suppose a mascot flyer is next, huh??? 

We did that too when i was at college. To top it off the mascot was also one of the males we had on our competition squad. We only over put him in preps though (halfs) as part of a group stunt. Not a real safe idea to do much more with the big head getting in the way.

[RMCheerGirl]

At the NCA College Nationals, it's very common to have male cheerleaders fly in baskets. However, at the UCA College Nationals the only time males fly is in such pyramids like the 4-3-2 Swedish Falls where he supports the two female top flyers ankles while being supported by two male bases and the 2-1 liberty. The only time mascots fly in pyramids are in simple pyramids like the Wildcat Pyramid but they only perform these such pyramids at football and basketball games.

[Corsicab]

Is this for a basketball game?  Just a reminder that basket tosses are not allowed on the gym floor. 

[110percent]

Back to the question at hand. If you have gone through the steps needed to insure a safe basket, a "masculine skill" is harder to define. In my opinion a simple old school toe touch with alot of attitude would be best or possibly an around the world.

[ucaCHEERalum]

I'm pretty sure that there isn't a "masculine" basket toss out there.  If by masculine you mean something that a male is more prone to do than a female.

If you can find a basket toss out there that GIRLS don't do - that only guys can do - then you'll have your "masculine" toss.

Until then - throw girls.

[TopFlight Cheer]

some high school teams like to put up guys cause it really gets the crowd into it.....you dont really have to do a skill at the top.....just have him do a star or something

[pouncer the panther]

I VOLLUNTEER MYSELF AS A MASCOT FLYER!

[RPCmme]

What are the three basket tosses doing that will go before the male toss?  In looking for a top skill that is "more masculine", you don't want to do something amazing with the three females and then a watered-down, less-feminine skill for the male flyer.  Something to think about.

It's nice to see that your program is using proper progression.  There are schools out there that just attempt to "wow the crowd", and it's always refreshing to see a coach and squad that puts safety first.  Kudos

[KayPee0722]

Hey Guys, I'm a flyer at my High School and my favorite thing to do at games to get the crowed pumped is a Kick Tripple Down Basket! (:

[melpv1]

KayPee0722, AACCA rules for HS state: "22.The total number of twists in a dismount from stunts or tosses cannot be greater than two rotations."

The only exception is: "a.Side facing stunts and tosses (i.e. Arabesque, Scorpion, Kick Double Full Basket, etc.) may add a onequarter twist in order to cradle to the front." 

NFHS has the same rule.  So you can't triple out of anything at the HS level at any event.  Kick doubles with an additional quarter turn to the front (for 2 and 1/4 total rotations) are fine--just make sure you are on a mat, grass, or other approved surface!

[ucaCHEERalum]

This thread is about male flyers (are you one KayPee?) not illegal basket tosses.
 
You need to have your coach check the rules...I hate to think what else your squad is doing that they shouldn't be.

Further - I have a hard time believing that a triple would get anyone in the average crowd more excited than a double.  Typically, regular (non-cheer) folks are most impressed with a super high toe-touch.