The various flips, twists, turns and lifts performed by the cheer squad are called stunts or tricks. The squad members on the floor doing the lifting and catching are known as the base while the squad members who stand behind the base are called spotters. The people in the air performing the stunts are called flyers. Transitions are the point in which one specific skill moves into another or when the flyer moves from the floor to being supported by the base, or vice versa. Each lift and trick also has their own terms. Common ones include the basket catch, which is when the base catches the flyer with interlocking hands behind her waist and thighs so it appears as if the flyer is seated. Another common lift is the extension, which occurs when the base is holding the feet of the flyer near the chin level of the base members and the flyer has her hands extended in a Y shape above her head.
Basing requires strength, timing and focus. Those who serve as the base need to remember safety tips such as lifting with their knees and keeping their backs straight to avoid injuring themselves. Bases need to work together so they're all moving in the same direction at the same time. This coordination allows the flyer to move up and down evenly. Bases need to practice their skills without a flyer to perfect their timing.
Flyers are the squad members who do the ariel tricks. Flyers stand on the base and jump at the same time they're being lifted by the base. This creates the momentum that allows the flyer to fly high enough to perform the twists and turns that make up cheer stunts. Flyers need to trust their base members and their spotter completely. That trust allows the flyer to fully concentrate on the stunt rather than the consequences of a mistake or fall. Flyers need to know how to maintain their balance and hold themselves still so their base can support them. They need to perfect their timing with their base so all are moving in the same direction at the same time. Flyers need to maintain eye contact with the crowd and make sure their audience is involved in the music and the stunts.
Spotters are the people who stand behind the base and keep their eyes on the flyer. Spotters are there to help flyers when they're jumping on and off of the base and they're there to catch the flyer in the event of a cheer stunt that goes wrong. Spotters need to be very focused and keep their eyes on their flyer with almost no regard for what is happening around them. They need to be strong enough to catch the flyer and fearless enough to step in and do just that. Spotters need to be trained on how to catch the flyer, protecting the neck and head and helping slow the speed of the descent to help prevent serious injury during falls.