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Backspot

What is backspot?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Role Person at the back of a stunt group[1]
Position Behind the flyer[1]
Main job Safety[1]
Action Helps support and catch the flyer[1]
Film title Backspot[3]
Film release May 31, 2024[3]

Backspot is a cheerleading role: the person who stands behind the flyer during stunts to help support, steady, and catch them if needed. It is also the title of a 2024 film about competitive cheerleading.

Context

In cheerleading, the backspot is a key safety role, positioned behind the flyer to provide support and catch them during stunts [1]. The term also appears in the 2024 film *Backspot*, which explores competitive cheerleading [3]. The backspot is often called the “last defense” against injury [2]. The film’s title directly references this position [3].

Documented claims

  • The backspot helps control the stunt from behind. [1]
  • The backspot holds the flyer’s ankles or calves during most stunts. [1]
  • The backspot is described as the “last defense” against a teammate’s potential injury. [2]
  • The title of the film refers to the cheerleading position of the person behind the flyer who catches them when they fall. [3]

Questions and answers

What is a backspot in cheerleading?

A backspot is the person who stands behind the flyer during stunts, helping to support, steady, and catch them if needed [1].

What does the backspot do?

The backspot helps control the stunt from behind, holds the flyer’s ankles or calves, and acts as the “last defense” against injury [1] [2].

What is the film Backspot about?

The 2024 film *Backspot* is about competitive cheerleading, and its title refers to the cheerleading position of the person behind the flyer who catches them when they fall [3].

Sources

  1. 'Backspot' Review: The queer love story takes a gritty and ... — fortworthreport.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Backspot — rottentomatoes.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. SXSW 2024: BACKSPOT- A Tale of Athletics and Monomania — sunshinestatecineplex.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Sports