Coach Bible · Chapter 08 · Stunt Grips & Base Mechanics

Cupie Support

The compact support platform used when both of the flyer's feet are held together on one base platform. Cupie mechanics demand excellent foot placement, ankle control, flyer body tension and a supporting structure that stays directly beneath the combined centre of the two feet.

Two Feet Together Cupie / Awesome Compact Platform Flyer Balance Base Stacking Comparative Difficulty

Supported Feet Two Together

Platform Compact

Main Goal One Centre

Next Guide Basket Toss Grip

Cupie support requires the flyer's feet and ankles to remain organised together. If the feet split, roll or become uneven, the base platform becomes substantially harder to control. Develop the body position at an appropriate progression and check the legality of the complete stunt rather than assuming the Cupie name itself makes a construction legal.

Grip Definition

What Is Cupie Support?

A single compact platform supporting both of the flyer's feet together.

Instead of the feet being separated across two platforms, the flyer brings the feet together so they operate as one compact unit.

This reduces the width of the support and increases the need for accurate stacking, ankle stability and consistent centre control.

The supporting base should stay underneath the combined foot position rather than allowing the platform to drift away from the body.

Two feet should behave like one balanced unit. If one foot is higher, more weighted or further forward, the Cupie platform becomes asymmetric before the stunt even begins to move.

Base Mechanics

Keep the Platform Compact and Centred

Feet

Receive Together

The platform should support the combined foot position predictably rather than allowing one foot to escape an edge.

Centre

Stay Underneath

Keep the supporting structure beneath the flyer's combined centre rather than reaching outward.

Shoulder

Organise the Load

The base should avoid allowing the platform to pull the upper body into an unstable angle.

Correction

Move the Structure

When appropriate, small whole-body corrections are preferable to frantic hand movements underneath the feet.

Flyer Mechanics

Create One Strong Foot Position

Feet

Keep Them Connected

Avoid allowing one foot to drift away from the other during loading, holding or transition.

Ankles

Stay Active

The flyer should not allow the ankles to roll independently in opposite directions.

Body

Stack Over the Platform

Hips, torso and head should remain organised above the compact support rather than leaning outside it.

Visual Diagnosis

Strong vs Weak Cupie Support

✓ Strong

Feet remain together.
Both feet share the platform.
Ankles remain active.
Flyer hips stay centred.
Base remains underneath.
Platform remains compact.
Minimal re-gripping.
Stunt can hold without constant movement.

✕ Weak

Feet separate during hold.
One foot dominates the platform.
Ankles roll.
Flyer leans away.
Base holds the stunt outside centre.
Platform changes shape constantly.
Hand position continually shifts.
Stunt depends on rescue corrections.

Supporting Sequence

Cupie Support Flow

1 Set Platform ready

2 Join Feet together

3 Centre One balance point

4 Stack Base underneath

5 Hold Minimal correction

6 Exit Controlled

Athlete Language

Coaching Cues

“Feet together.” “One platform.” “Stand tall.” “Ankles active.” “Stack underneath.” “One centre.” “Small corrections.” “Freeze it.”

Diagnostic Coaching

Common Problems & Fixes

What You See	Likely Cause	Check First	Training Direction
Feet separate	Flyer tension or placement inconsistent	Foot connection	Return to lower controlled Cupie holds.
One foot sits higher	Uneven platform	Base support	Reset the combined foot position.
Flyer tips sideways	Hips outside combined centre	Hip alignment	Re-centre before increasing height.
Base wrist becomes painful	Load is poorly stacked	Platform and body position	Stop and rebuild.
Base constantly steps	Centre is moving	Flyer body line	Short stable holds.
Flyer bends knees	Leg tension insufficient	Standing posture	Reinforce active legs.
Skill only works with momentum	Static support not secure	Basic hold	Regress to controlled stationary Cupie.

2026–27 Comparative Scoring

Cupie Support & the Score Sheet

Stunt Technique 15 Points

Stunt Difficulty 15 Points

Difficulty Factor Minimal Bases

Technique Focus Stability

Technique

Compact Support Must Still Look Stable

Judges compare execution, stability, flexibility, uniformity and synchronisation across the stunt section.

Visible shaking, foot separation or repeated base movement reduces the technical quality of the picture.

Difficulty

Number of Bases Can Matter Comparatively

Minimal use of bases is one of the listed comparative difficulty considerations.

That does not mean coaches should remove support before the skill is technically and legally ready.

Difficulty is cumulative. Consider how the Cupie fits into the entire stunt sequence, including entry, transition, number of athletes performing the skill, pace and following element.

Fewer bases is not automatically better. Safety, legality and execution come first. Comparative difficulty should never be interpreted as a reason to remove required or appropriate support.

IASF Scoring Chapter → Hotshots Rules Hub →

Hotshots Coaching Standard

Is the Cupie Support Ready?

GREEN · Ready

Feet remain together.
Platform is secure.
Ankles remain active.
Flyer is centred.
No pain.
Base remains underneath.
Minimal movement.
Controlled entry and exit.

AMBER · Developing

Minor foot separation.
Small lateral movement.
Short hold only.
Occasional re-grip.
Exit needs cleaning.

RED · Regress

Pain.
Feet repeatedly split.
Ankles collapse.
Large flyer lean.
Base cannot remain underneath.
Stunt depends on continuous rescue.