What Is a Load-In in Cheerleading?

Quick answer: a load-in is the technique used to get the flyer from standing on the ground up into a stunt, usually a small hop or step into the bases' hands that becomes the starting point for the rest of the stunt.

What Does It Look Like?

In a common load-in, the flyer places one or both feet into the bases' hands and is lifted directly into a position such as a prep or half-up, in one continuous motion, rather than being lifted in obvious separate stages.

Who Is Involved?

Loading in involves the full stunt group - the flyer steps or hops in, the bases generate the lift, and the back spot supports and helps control the timing from behind.

Where It Fits in a Routine

Every stunt begins with some form of load-in. It's rarely called out by name to an audience, but it's one of the technical elements judges pay close attention to, since a shaky load-in often predicts a shaky stunt.

How the Term Is Used

"Load-in" describes the entry technique itself, and is sometimes used loosely to describe the first few counts of a stunt sequence before the group reaches its main position.

Related Skills

Load-ins connect directly to whatever position follows - commonly a prep, half-up or extension - and are the counterpart to the cradle that ends the sequence.

Level / Division Context

Load-in technique is foundational and expected from the earliest levels, though the specific position loaded into (and how quickly) becomes more demanding as level increases.

What Judges Look For Conceptually

Judges are generally looking for a smooth, controlled, well-timed entry with the whole stunt group moving together, rather than a rushed or visibly effortful lift.