Coach Bible · Chapter 08 · Stunt Grips & Base Mechanics

Base Stacking

The principle of organising a base's feet, knees, hips, torso, shoulders and arms beneath the stunt's load. Strong stacking reduces unnecessary leverage, makes stunts easier to control and allows athletes to use their legs and skeletal alignment rather than relying on arm strength alone.

Base Fundamentals Structural Alignment Load Management Leg Drive Efficiency Comparative Technique

Foundation Feet

Power Legs & Hips

Support Torso & Arms

Next Guide Base Footwork

Pain is not evidence that a base is “working hard enough.” Repeated wrist, shoulder, back, hip or knee pain can indicate poor alignment, poor load placement, inappropriate athlete grouping or excessive training volume. Stop, assess and correct the cause rather than coaching athletes to tolerate pain.

Base Definition

What Is Base Stacking?

Positioning the body's supporting joints beneath the stunt so force can travel efficiently into the floor.

The exact alignment changes with the stunt, but the principle is consistent: the base should avoid unnecessarily holding weight far outside their own supporting structure.

The feet create the foundation, the legs manage force, the torso connects the structure and the arms maintain the platform.

Good stacking makes a base more efficient. It does not simply make them look technically cleaner.

Think column, not arm wrestle. The closer the stunt is to a strong supporting line, the less unnecessary leverage the base must fight.

Structural Alignment

Build from the Floor Up

Feet

Create the Foundation

A stable stance allows the base to resist movement without constantly stepping.

Knees

Track with the Feet

Avoid uncontrolled inward collapse during loading, dipping or catching.

Hips & Torso

Stay Under the Load

Do not allow the stunt to pull the base into a dramatic lean unless the skill deliberately requires a different position.

Arms

Finish the Structure

Arms maintain the foot platform but should remain connected to the supporting body beneath them.

Height Changes

Stacking Through Prep & Extension

Load-In

Stay Close

The platform should begin near enough to the base's body to prepare for an efficient vertical drive.

Prep

Support at Shoulder Height

Avoid letting the flyer sit dramatically in front of or behind the bases' centre.

Extension

Move the Platform Overhead

The overhead platform should remain connected to the base's supporting line instead of drifting away at full height.

Visual Diagnosis

Strong vs Weak Base Stacking

✓ Strong

Feet remain stable.
Knees track under control.
Hips remain beneath load.
Torso stays organised.
Platform stays close to centre.
Legs contribute to dips and drives.
Minimal unnecessary stepping.
Base can communicate during stunt.

✕ Weak

Feet constantly shuffle.
Knees collapse inward.
Hips move away from load.
Torso folds excessively.
Arms hold stunt far away.
Base relies mainly on upper body.
Back arches heavily overhead.
Position deteriorates immediately under load.

Base Sequence

Stack the Stunt

1 Feet Stable base

2 Knees Track well

3 Hips Under centre

4 Torso Stay organised

5 Shoulders Support platform

6 Hands Maintain foot

Athlete Language

Coaching Cues

“Stay underneath.” “Feet still.” “Knees track.” “Hips under.” “Chest organised.” “Use your legs.” “Platform close.” “Build the column.”

Diagnostic Coaching

Common Problems & Fixes

What You See	Likely Cause	Check First	Training Direction
Base constantly steps	Load outside centre	Foot and hip position	Rebuild stable stance.
Knees collapse inward	Alignment or strength limitation	Knee over foot	Reduce load and reinforce lower-body control.
Base folds forward	Stunt positioned too far forward	Platform location	Move structure underneath.
Base arches at Extension	Hands behind supporting line	Overhead stack	Return to Prep and rebuild.
Arms fatigue immediately	Upper body carrying too much load	Leg and torso contribution	Train whole-body drive.
One shoulder lower	Uneven platform or stance	Starting setup	Reset before loading.
Base cannot hold without pain	Position or load inappropriate	Stop activity	Assess technique and athlete compatibility.

2026–27 Comparative Scoring

Base Stacking & the Score Sheet

Stunt Difficulty 15 Points

Stunt Technique 15 Points

Technique Focus Stability

Difficulty Factor Minimal Bases

Technique

Good Stacking Creates Cleaner Execution

Stable feet, controlled platforms and consistent base positions directly support execution, stability, uniformity and synchronisation.

When bases are fighting poor leverage, visible stunt movement usually increases.

Difficulty

Minimal Bases Is a Comparative Consideration

The scoring system may consider minimal use of bases when comparing difficulty between teams.

That should never be interpreted as permission to remove required support or use a construction the athletes cannot control safely.

Better mechanics create room for greater difficulty. Strong stacking allows a group to progress load-ins, transitions and combinations without every increase in difficulty producing a major technical breakdown.

Safety and legality come first. Number of bases, spotters and required contacts must comply with the current rule document regardless of comparative scoring considerations.

Hotshots Coaching Standard

Is the Base Position Ready?

GREEN · Ready

Pain-free.
Feet remain stable.
Knees remain aligned.
Hips stay under load.
Torso remains organised.
Legs contribute to drive.
Minimal unnecessary movement.
Position repeats under load.

AMBER · Developing

Small foot adjustment.
Minor torso lean.
Short holds only.
Upper body works too hard.
Stack changes under fatigue.

RED · Regress

Pain.
Continuous stepping.
Knees collapse significantly.
Heavy forward or backward lean.
Base cannot keep platform near centre.
Position repeatedly collapses.