STUNT is one of the fastest-growing sports for female athletes—and it’s creating new opportunities for gyms across the country.
If you’re a gym owner or coach looking to evolve your programming, reduce choreography costs, and give athletes another competitive path, adding STUNT is a strategic move. It’s structured, scalable, and backed by USA Cheer with growing support from high schools, colleges, and universities.
Here’s what you need to know to successfully integrate STUNT into your gym’s offerings.
What Is STUNT?
STUNT is a head-to-head competitive team sport created by USA Cheer. It separates itself from traditional cheer by removing crowd-leading elements and focusing entirely on technical execution—partner stunts, pyramids, jumps, tumbling, and full team routines.
Each game is divided into four quarters:
- Partner Stunts
- Pyramids and Tosses
- Jumps and Tumbling
- Team Routine
Teams run set routines and are scored side-by-side on synchronization, execution, and difficulty. Scoring happens immediately following each round, removing subjectivity and streamlining feedback.
Why STUNT Makes Sense for All Star Gyms
Adding STUNT can benefit your program operationally, financially, and athletically. Here’s how:
- Lower prep costs – No custom choreography or music. All material is provided by USA Cheer.
- Predictable training model – Set routines = more reps, less burnout.
- Title IX aligned – STUNT qualifies as an NCAA emerging championship sport for women.
- New revenue stream – Add classes, teams, or host exhibitions.
- More athlete opportunity – Keeps older athletes engaged and provides a new track for college-bound competitors.
- Clearer scoring and officiating – Based on technical standards, not creative interpretation.
Step-by-Step: How to Launch STUNT in Your Gym
1. Study the Sport Structure
Visit stuntthesport.org and download the official rulebook. Study how STUNT games are structured, how the quarters work, and how teams are evaluated. This isn’t like traditional all star cheer—understanding the system is key.
2. Get Staff Certified
USA Cheer provides training and certification for STUNT coaches and officials. Certification ensures your staff understands the sport, safety requirements, and judging mechanics. This is mandatory if you plan to host or compete officially.
3. Decide Your Starting Model
There are multiple ways to launch STUNT:
- A single STUNT team (18–30 athletes, can be coed or all female)
- Seasonal clinics or intro classes
- Partnership with a school to share athletes and space
Start with what fits your gym’s current capacity and grow from there.
4. Recruit Athletes
STUNT is ideal for athletes with strong:
- Stunting fundamentals
- Jumps and tumbling
- Timing and execution
You don’t need to create routines—athletes will learn the material that’s already set. Focus on building repetition, teamwork, and precision.
5. Structure Training Schedules
Since routines don’t change, your practices can focus entirely on technique, timing, and conditioning. Many gyms report more efficient practices with less stress on coaching and creative teams.
6. Host a Scrimmage or Exhibition
The fastest way to generate interest is to show what STUNT looks like in action. Invite local athletes, parents, schools, or gyms to a low-stakes scrimmage. Use this to evaluate your team and gather feedback.
7. Register with USA Cheer
To compete officially, your gym must be registered as a STUNT program through USA Cheer. This gives you access to:
- The official routine library
- Judge and coach certification portals
- Event calendars and scrimmage networks
- Insurance, forms, and updates
Promotion and Integration Tips
If you’re launching a new sport, communication matters. Parents, athletes, and even staff need to understand what STUNT is, how it works, and why your gym is offering it.
Here’s how to build momentum:
- Share clear, consistent messaging across your social channels using video highlights, rules breakdowns, and clips from STUNT games.
- Schedule in-gym interest meetings for athletes and families to explain the season structure, time commitment, and athlete expectations.
- Be specific: STUNT is not replacing all star cheer. It’s an additional opportunity focused on skill-based competition.
- Work with local school programs—especially those already involved in STUNT—to build mutually beneficial training or talent pipelines.
- Position STUNT as a structured, competitive format that gives athletes more chances to compete and stay in the sport longer.
The more you define what STUNT is and how it fits into your gym’s programming, the easier it will be to generate interest and commitment.
If you’re serious about expanding opportunities for your athletes—and ready to be part of the broader growth of cheer as a sport—STUNT belongs in your program.
Ready to lead the way? Start today at stuntthesport.org, and follow Cheer Daily and STUNT Daily for the latest updates.
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