What Is a Full-Up in Cheerleading?

Quick answer: a full-up is a stunt transition in which the flyer performs a full 360-degree twist while being loaded directly up into a higher stunt position, such as an extension, rather than passing through a lower position first.

What Does It Look Like?

Instead of loading step by step through a prep or waist-level position, the flyer twists a full rotation while the bases lift them directly to a higher position such as an extension, arriving at height already facing the same direction they started.

Who Is Involved?

A full-up is performed by a stunt group - the flyer executes the twisting load while the bases and back spot time the lift precisely to match the rotation.

Where It Fits in a Routine

Full-ups are typically used at the start of a stunt sequence, adding difficulty to the load-in itself rather than to a later transition between positions.

How the Term Is Used

"Full-up" describes this specific twisting-load technique; the name reflects both the "full" twist and the fact that the flyer goes straight "up" to height rather than stopping at a lower position first.

Related Skills

The full-up is related to other ground-level entrance skills such as the switch-up and rewind, all of which add difficulty to how the flyer arrives at height rather than to a later transition between positions.

Level / Division Context

Under the USASF All Star rules (2026–27), a full twist up to an extended two-leg stunt is allowed from Level 3, and a full twist up to an extended single-leg stunt (such as a full-up liberty) from Level 4. Level 3 only allows up to a half twist into an extended single-leg stunt.

What Judges Look For Conceptually

Judges are generally looking for a controlled, well-timed twist during the load, a stable landing into the final position, and no visible hesitation or wobble on arrival.