Quick answer: the flyer is the athlete lifted, held or thrown at the top of a stunt, while the base is one of the athletes who lifts and supports the flyer from below. They're the two ends of the same stunt, each with distinct physical demands and responsibilities.
| Flyer | Base | |
|---|---|---|
| Position in the stunt | Top of the stunt | Bottom of the stunt |
| Primary job | Hold clean, controlled body positions at height | Generate and control the lift |
| Key physical demands | Core strength, body control, confidence at height | Lower-body and shoulder strength, coordination |
| Typical count per stunt | One | Two (main base and side base) |
The Core Difference
A flyer and a base sit at opposite ends of the same stunt: the flyer is held up, the base does the holding. Neither role works without the other - a stunt is only as good as the coordination between them.
What Each Role Focuses On
The flyer's job is about control and stillness at height - holding a tight, correct body position and staying calm and centred, even while being lifted or thrown. The base's job is about generating and controlling force - lifting the flyer smoothly, holding a stable platform, and reacting quickly to small shifts in balance.
Physical Demands
Flying generally demands core strength, flexibility and body awareness. Basing generally demands lower-body and shoulder strength, along with the coordination to move in sync with a partner base. Neither set of demands is "easier" - they're simply different.
Can an Athlete Do Both?
Yes. It's common for athletes to base in some stunts and fly in others, particularly earlier in their development, with coaches assigning roles based on size, strength, flexibility and stunt-specific skill.
Related Roles
See Back Spot for the third core role in most stunts, and Stunt Group for how flyer, bases and back spot work together as a unit.