Quick answer: bases stand underneath the stunt and lift, hold and catch the flyer by the feet. The back spot stands behind, supporting the flyer (often at the ankles or legs), protecting their head and shoulders on the way down, and usually calling the counts that keep the stunt group in time.
| Base | Back Spot | |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Underneath, holding the flyer's feet | Behind the stunt |
| Primary job | Lift, hold and catch the flyer | Support, protect the flyer's head and shoulders, and call timing |
| Typical number per stunt | Two (main base and side base) | One |
| Usually the required spotter? | No | Yes, in a standard stunt group |
| In a basket toss | Two bases interlock wrists to throw | Also throws, from behind |
The Core Difference
Bases and the back spot both support the flyer, but from different positions and with different main jobs. The bases are directly underneath, generating the lift and holding the platform the flyer stands on. The back spot is behind, adding a third point of support and taking responsibility for safety and timing.
What Each Role Focuses On
Bases focus on generating and holding a stable, level lift: driving up together on the count, locking out at the right height and catching the flyer in a cradle or as they come down.
The back spot focuses on stability, safety and communication: supporting the flyer from behind, keeping a hand ready to protect the flyer's head, neck and shoulders, and counting the group through every load, transition and dismount.
The Back Spot and the Spotting Rules
Under USASF All Star rules, stunts above prep level need a spotter at every level - and at Level 1, stunts at prep level and above do too. The rulebook defines a spotter as someone whose main job is protecting the flyer's head, neck, back and shoulders, who stands to the side or behind, can touch the base of the stunt, and isn't doing anything else at the same time. In a standard stunt group, the back spot fills this role. See What Is a Spotter?.
Why Timing Usually Falls to the Back Spot
From behind, the back spot can see the flyer, both bases and the whole shape of the stunt at once, so they're best placed to call the timing. Many back spots count out loud through every skill ("down, up!"), so the whole group moves on the same beat.
Basket Tosses
Both roles throw in a basket toss. Under USASF rules, a toss uses three or four tossing bases, one of whom must be behind the flyer - typically the back spot - and at least three of the original bases must catch the flyer in a cradle, one of them at the flyer's head and shoulders.
Can an Athlete Do Both?
Yes. Many athletes base and back spot at different points, and experienced athletes often move between the roles depending on the stunt and the team's needs.
Related Roles
See Flyer, Front Spot and Stunt Group.