What Is an Arabesque in Cheerleading?

Quick answer: an arabesque is a single-leg stunt position, borrowed from ballet terminology, in which the flyer leans forward with the free leg extended straight up and back - very closely related to a scale, with the two names sometimes used interchangeably.

What Does It Look Like?

Like a scale, the flyer balances on one leg with the torso tilted forward and the free leg extended up and behind the body. The name comes from ballet, where an arabesque describes a similar standing position with one leg extended behind.

Who Is Involved?

An arabesque is built by a stunt group - a flyer, a main base supporting the standing leg, an assisting base, and a back spot.

Where It Fits in a Routine

Arabesques commonly appear as a stand-alone stunt or as one position within a sequence of single-leg skills, often shown alongside a scale.

How the Term Is Used

"Arabesque" and "scale" are used somewhat interchangeably in many gyms, though some coaches distinguish between them by exact arm or leg positioning. If your team uses one term specifically, that usage is likely tied to your gym or governing body's own convention.

Related Skills

The arabesque is closely related to the scale, and both are typically built from a liberty or extension.

Level / Division Context

Under the USASF All Star rules (2026–27), an arabesque - like any single-leg stunt - is allowed at prep level from Level 2 and at extended height from Level 3. (Level 1 only allows single-leg stunts at waist level, or at prep level with an extra bracing base.) In practice teams usually add arabesques after they are confident with libertys and scales.

What Judges Look For Conceptually

Judges are generally looking for a stable single-leg base, a controlled forward lean, and a clean overall line held with visible control.