Expert: Nicole - 5/18/2009

Question
Why don't cheer coaches / cheer teams let boys be flyers ? I'm a boy and I'm way
more flexible then most of these girls on our varsity team. I'm only 115lbs ( Is
That To Heavy? ) and im tall, 5'8 but i know how to hold my weight. I can do
almost all of the stretches except bow and arrow ( im working on that ) and i
have to fix my scorpion a little. Also two girls on the varsity team put me in
the air with no problem. I Don't know what the big deal is. I think having a boy
flyer would get the crowd going.



Some One Help !!



-Salvatoreee.


Answer
Hey Salvatore,
To be honest, I agree with you, most crowds would be far more interested seeing a boy fly mainly because it is unfortunately so uncommon. Male flyers would be fantastic for many reasons. Boys tend to have less fear about some physically dangerous things than some girls, and are also strong enough to hold up their own weight with strong bases. Most male cheerleaders are bases and backs, however, for two reasons. First, boys are generally naturally stronger than girls, and make very strong, powerful bases. On the other hand too, strong bases are needed to lift most male cheerleaders' muscular body type. You are NOT too heavy, there are many female flyers with your weight or heavier, and I think with your flexibility and enthusiasm you could excel as a flyer! My advice is to practice with a few strong bases and go into a practice and show your coach how fantastic your group works out. Make sure to try basket tosses as well, a male kick single or double would REALLY wow the crowd!

Cheers! Nicole