What Is an Extension in Cheerleading?

Quick answer: an extension is a stunt position in which the flyer is held above the bases' fully extended arms, standing with both feet supported. It's a step up from a prep in height and difficulty.

What Does It Look Like?

In an extension, the bases' arms are straight overhead, holding the flyer's feet, with the flyer standing tall and balanced well above head height. It requires more strength and stability from the bases than a prep, and more core control from the flyer.

Who Is Involved?

An extension is built by a full stunt group - a flyer, two bases and a back spot, with a front spot sometimes added for bigger or higher-difficulty extensions.

Where It Fits in a Routine

Extensions are used both as a stand-alone stunt and as the base position for higher-difficulty skills - many single-leg positions and toss skills load through an extension before transitioning further.

How the Term Is Used

"Extension" describes both the two-leg position itself and, more loosely, the general height category - as in a "single-leg extension" or "extension prep," referring to a single-leg stunt held at extension height.

Related Skills

The extension builds directly on the prep, and is often a launching point for single-leg positions like the liberty, or for toss skills.

Level / Division Context

Extensions are typically introduced once a team can consistently and safely perform preps, and are commonly permitted from around Level 1–2 depending on governing body - see Level 1 and Level 2 for typical context.

What Judges Look For Conceptually

Judges are generally looking for full arm extension from both bases at a matching height, a stable and centred flyer position, and clean, controlled timing on the load and dismount.