What Is a Brace in Cheerleading?

Quick answer: a brace is extra support provided to a stunt by a neighbouring stunt group within a pyramid - often a hand, arm or shoulder connection - that adds stability beyond what that stunt's own bases and back spot provide alone.

What Does It Look Like?

Rather than a stunt group supporting its flyer entirely on its own, a braced stunt receives an additional point of contact from an adjacent group - for example, a neighbouring flyer or base offering a hand or arm for extra balance, allowing a more difficult position to be held safely within the wider pyramid.

Who Is Involved?

Bracing involves multiple full stunt groups working together - the flyer, bases and back spot of the braced stunt, plus at least one member of a neighbouring group providing the brace.

Where It Fits in a Routine

Braced skills are, by definition, only possible within a pyramid or other multi-stunt formation, since they rely on the extra support only a connected structure can provide.

How the Term Is Used

"Brace" and "braced skill" describe any position that depends on this kind of extra, cross-group support to be performed safely, distinguishing it from a stunt a single group could hold independently.

Related Skills

Bracing is one of the core techniques that makes advanced pyramids possible, often used alongside release moves and inversions in higher-level pyramid work.

Level / Division Context

Because bracing depends on coordinating multiple full stunt groups precisely, braced skills are generally reserved for higher levels, once teams are confident with both individual stunts and basic pyramid connections.

What Judges Look For Conceptually

Judges are generally looking for stable, well-timed connections between groups, no visible strain or instability at the brace point, and clean technique in both the supported stunt and the group providing support.