As Amador Valley High School’s Stunt team ends its season with the NCS quarter-final game on April 27, many of the team members look forward to switching back to sideline cheer during the fall. But, what’s the difference between the two sports?
“Stunt is a game where you compete head to head with another team and you perform the same routine at the same time. Whoever does the routine better gets the point. There are 24 points available in a game and the game consists of 4 quarters. Sideline cheer is cheering for football teams,” said Stunt Team Captain Zoe Triantos (‘24).
Both sports require extreme athleticism and endurance. The main difference is that stunt is more competition-based, whereas sideline cheer is a performance.
“I think you have to be really flexible to perform well during a stunt. We do all sorts of jumps and tumbling, which require a lot of dedication. Personally, I feel like stunt is even more demanding than sideline cheer. One, because of the pressure that comes with being judged, but also stunt is just longer and more demanding,” said Stunt Team Member Jasmine Jadhav (‘24).
Additionally, the atmosphere between the two sports are completely different. They require a different mindset going into competitions on top of more dependence on teamwork.
“The atmosphere for sideline cheer is more fun. There’s still pressure to not mess up, but the crowds at football games are so fun to perform in front of. For a stunt, there’s a lot more pressure because you’re performing in front of a judge,” said Stunt Member Sam Richards (‘24).
Despite the two sports’ differences, however, both require team effort and chemistry. With familiar faces and personal connections make teamwork feel a lot more smoother.
“I think the main reason why our stunt team is doing so well this year is because of our chemistry. Literally everyone knows each other and is friends with each other, which just makes it so much easier to go out and perform together,” said Triantos.
In the world of high school cheerleading, the contrast between Stunt and Sideline Cheer highlights a diverse landscape of athleticism and performances. However, regardless of the arena, whether under the spotlight of competition or the roar of the crowd, it’s the unity and chemistry among teammates that elevate both Stunt and Sideline Cheer to new heights.
