Quick answer: a straight ride is a toss skill with the same full release as a basket toss, but the flyer holds a straight, extended "pencil" body line in the air instead of performing a trick - the difference is the shape held mid-air, not how much the flyer is released.
What Does It Look Like?
Like a basket toss, bases interlock hands to form a basket and drive the flyer fully into the air. In a straight ride, the flyer fully extends the body into one straight line - arms by the ears, legs together - and holds that shape all the way up and back down, rather than performing a shape like a toe touch or a twisting trick.
Who Is Involved?
A straight ride involves the same team as a basket toss - two main bases forming the basket, additional support bases, a back spot, and the flyer.
Where It Fits in a Routine
Straight rides are typically used to showcase toss height with a clean, simple line, sometimes within the same toss sequence as trickier basket toss variations.
How the Term Is Used
"Straight ride" refers to this specific straight-body shape held through a full toss, distinguishing it from basket toss variations named for a trick performed in the air, such as a toe-touch basket.
Related Skills
The straight ride is closely related to the basket toss - both are fully released tosses - and both typically end in a cradle catch.
Level / Division Context
Like the basket toss, a straight ride requires strong coordination from the base team and is generally introduced once a team has a solid foundation in standard stunts and cradles, often from around Level 2–3 depending on governing body.
What Judges Look For Conceptually
Judges are generally looking for toss height, a fully extended, straight body line held throughout the air time, and a confident, well-timed cradle catch.
| Basket Toss | Straight Ride | |
|---|---|---|
| Release | Full release, flyer performs a shape or trick in the air | Full release, flyer holds a straight body line, no trick |
| Typical use | Height and trick showcase | Maximum height with a clean, simple line |
Cheer stunts and tumbling should be learned with qualified supervision, appropriate equipment and proper progressions. This site explains terminology and concepts; it is not a substitute for coaching.
Last checked: Thu Aug 20 2026 01:00:00 GMT+0100 (British Summer Time)