One of the easiest ways to achieve more opportunities is by being a well-rounded cheerleader. By learning different stunting positions, you can become an asset to any team as a strong and versatile stunter.

Alex Birch is a world champion from GymTyme Gold and a national champ from the University of Louisville! Alex has competed as a flyer, backspot, main base, and side base! Out of all four positions, main basing is her favorite! She loves to have control over the stunt.

I find that perfecting the technique that is required in many of the stunts we do is the most rewarding part of cheering.

Learn how Alex has become a versatile stunter!

Why do you think it is important to try different positions?
Trying different positions helps you get a better understanding of what the other people in your group are focusing on and feeling. If you know how to fly, it's going to help you realize, as a base, what needs to be done to make your flyer feel as comfortable as possible in the air. It can also help with timing. If you know what you want from your bases as a flyer, you can make sure to be that base that every flyer needs. Overall, having a good understanding of each part of the stunt can make for a more cohesive group.

Left: Alex flying in a coed hand-in-hand. Right: Basing an all girl hand-in-hand.

Was there a time where being able to switch into multiple stunting positions helped you achieve an opportunity?
Being versatile has always given me an advantage when trying out for new teams. Being able to tell your coach that you can do every position and do it well makes you a much more valuable athlete. It also made me a successful level 6 athlete because mid-layering was something I learned quickly. Even though I don't fly or even mid-layer much anymore, it has helped me tremendously in the coaching aspect too, since I can confidently say what needs to be fixed in a stunt in many positions.

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What is your best advice for someone who is having a hard time transitioning out of their comfort zone?
Making the initial switch can be very discomforting at first, because you're so used to doing that part for so long. As you start learning and grow in that new role, it becomes rewarding. If you have that dream team you're looking to make, or just want to be the best athlete you can be on the team you are now, keeping an open mind and becoming a versatile stunter will give you the upper hand as you continue your cheerleading career. You may learn that the position you were dreading, ends up being the one you fall in love with. Before my freshman year, I never would have thought to try main basing, but once I was pushed into it, I never looked back.

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One of the best tips Alex can give you is to not get frustrated!

Learning a new spot isn't going to click right away, but as long as there is 100% effort going into it, it can be done.

Alex mid-layering a pyramid at a college football game.

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