What Is a Cupie in Cheerleading?

Quick answer: a cupie (sometimes called an "awesome") is a two-leg stunt in which the flyer stands upright at full extension height with both feet held together in one of the base's hands, rather than one foot in each of two bases' hands as in a standard extension.

What Does It Look Like?

The flyer stands fully upright, feet together, held above the bases' heads at extension height in a single fully extended hand - visually similar to an extension, but with the feet held together in one hand rather than apart in two. This narrower base of support demands more precise balance from the flyer than a standard extension.

Who Is Involved?

A cupie is built by a stunt group - a flyer, a main base supporting both feet together (sometimes with an assisting base helping stabilise), and a back spot.

Where It Fits in a Routine

Cupies are typically used as a stand-alone stunt, valued for the clean, narrow line the feet-together position creates, and are sometimes used as a transition point into other extension-height positions.

How the Term Is Used

"Cupie" refers specifically to this feet-together, single-hand-supported extension; some gyms and regions also use the name "awesome" for the same or a very similar position.

Related Skills

The cupie builds directly on the extension, narrowing the foot position from two hands to one, and is a different family of skill from single-leg positions like the liberty or heel stretch, which involve one leg bent rather than both feet together.

Level / Division Context

Because it demands precise balance with a narrower base of support than a standard extension, a cupie is generally introduced once a team is very consistent with extensions, often from around Level 2–3 depending on governing body.

What Judges Look For Conceptually

Judges are generally looking for a stable, controlled position at full height, feet held cleanly together, and a confident hold rather than a brief, wobbly touch.