Expert: James - 1/3/2009

Question
Hey Jim!

So, I was browsing some of your past questions and answers and was like,
"Whoa this is really helpful!" So thanks for that. Second, I noticed that a
bunch of guys on here go to U of I too and plan on trying out in April, as well.
And one guy in particular asked a question about workouts, tryouts etc. You
basically said that no workout replaces actual stunting with a partner.
So yesterday  my friend (who's was a flyer in highschool)  and I stunted
together for the first time. I was able to lift her into a chair (after several
attempts) and we also did a toss shoulders BUT I didnt exactly throw her up
and catch her with my shoulders (btw, not even sure how to do that); instead
i just squatted and had her climb on my shoulders while i held her hands
until I was able to grab her upper calves. Is that wrong?
Also,  I could not do a hands extension. I tossed her up but was not even able
to grab her feet at all. I mean it was my first attempt and hopefully it gets
better, but I am not sure exactly what we were doing wrong.  

Answer
I stand behind the statement that nothing substitutes for actual stunting. Now don't get me wrong you need to go to the weight room and suppliment that by focusing on the muscles (i.e. legs and shoulders) that you use with stunting but good job on getting out there. A toss-shoulders can be dangerous so definitely have a spot. There are a couple of ways to do a toss shoulders, the way you described is one of the ways that JV squads will do for their less experienced guys. To truly do a toss shoulders you want to toss the girl up and then step under her and reach back with your hands and grab right above her ankles. For a toss hands you need to toss and toss and toss until your toss is high enough to get under her feet. At first don't be afraid to squat a bit if she isnt high enough. Something you can do to work on your extensions before you get the toss down (i'd also recommend a spot for all of this) is put her up in a chair and then do a "chair-to-hands". With the girl in a chair, reach down with your left hand and get under her left foot, then you're going to squat, and push off her butt hard enough that she can stand up, once you push her you want to quickly take your hand off her butt and put it down for her right foot to step in.

Now all of this is contingent also on the female. I know you said she was a flyer in high school but most high school squads are all-female so if she doesnt have experience in partner stunting then she needs to do some learning as well. If she does have partner stunting experience then you're good, if she doesn't you might want to look for an experienced male or female to go stunting with you all a couple of times and give you pointers.