Stunt became an NCAA emerging sport in 2020. It’s structured differently from cheerleading — no crowd work, no pom routines, just stunting, pyramids, tosses, and tumbling, head-to-head against another team. Think gymnastics meets wrestling meets cheer.
The gear list is short. The physical demands are not.
Beginner level (Ages 8–12, intro programs)
At this level, programs are building body awareness, learning to base and fly, and establishing tumbling progressions. Equipment needs are minimal.
Practice clothes
Fitted athletic wear only. Loose clothing can catch on a base’s hands during a stunt and create safety problems. Compression shorts or tights under shorts for flyers. A fitted athletic top. Nothing with drawstrings, zippers, or anything that sticks out.
A mouthguard
Stunt involves physical contact between athletes. Falls happen during learning. A mouthguard is basic protection. Boil-and-bite works fine for beginners. Any brand rated for contact sports is acceptable.
Athletic shoes for the mat
Regular court shoes work for introductory programs that don’t have mat requirements. Once your kid is in a program with a dedicated mat surface, mat shoes become the right call.
Intermediate level (Ages 12–15, competitive programs and school stunt)
This is where the gear list gets more specific.
Mat shoes — the main purchase
Dedicated mat shoes are lightweight, flexible, and designed for tumbling and stunting surfaces. They’re different from cheer shoes, which are stiffer and built for sideline performance. Nfinity and Rebel are the two brands coaches recommend most. The Nfinity Vengeance and Rebel Evolve are the shoes that come up in most stunt programs.
How to choose: mat shoes run true to size or slightly small. They should feel snug through the midfoot with minimal heel lift. Nothing loose. A heel that slips during a tumbling pass is a problem. Buy in-person at a dance or cheer specialty store if you can — fitting matters here.
Used mat shoes are acceptable if the sole isn’t worn through unevenly and the upper is still supportive. Check the toe box for separation from the sole, which is a safety issue.
Nfinity or Rebel mat shoes
Lightweight mat shoes for tumbling and stunting. Flexible sole for floor work, supportive upper for basing and flying positions. The two brands coaches recommend most in stunt programs.
Our take: One good pair lasts a season. Don't buy cheap imitations — the sole flex matters on a spring mat and a stiff shoe fights the technique.
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Athletic tape
Coaches tape wrists, ankles, and fingers regularly. Wrists get taped before heavy basing sessions. Flyers tape ankles for stability in extended positions. Keep a roll in the bag. Any 1.5-inch athletic tape works — the brand doesn’t matter.
Athletic tape — 1.5 inch
Standard athletic tape for wrists, ankles, and fingers. Used in every stunt practice. Buy a multi-pack — a roll goes fast in a competitive program.
Our take: Keep one roll in the bag, one at home. Coaches sometimes provide tape but not always. Running out mid-practice is a problem.
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Ankle brace — conditional
If your athlete has a history of ankle sprains or loose ankles, a lace-up ankle brace worn under the mat shoe adds meaningful support. If they don’t have a history of ankle problems, wait and see. Many stunt athletes get through a full season without one.
Lace-up ankle brace
Low-profile lace-up ankle brace that fits inside a mat shoe. Limits inversion without restricting range of motion needed for tumbling. Recommended for athletes with ankle history.
Our take: Don't buy this preemptively. If your kid rolls an ankle and it becomes a recurring issue, then buy one. Bracing a healthy ankle trains compensation patterns you don't want.
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Competitive level (Ages 14+, high school stunt teams)
Stunt as an NCAA emerging sport is structured at the high school level like any other team sport — tryouts, daily practice, head-to-head meets. At this level, flexibility and conditioning done outside of practice separates athletes.
A foam roller
Stunt athletes accumulate tension in shoulders, hips, and thoracic spine. A foam roller used ten minutes before practice and after a hard session keeps the body from locking up over a long season. This is cheap and effective.
Foam roller — medium density
Standard 36-inch medium-density foam roller. Works on hips, thoracic spine, IT band, and shoulders. Medium density is right for regular maintenance — high-density rollers are too aggressive for daily use.
Our take: 10 minutes before practice is enough to matter. The athletes who roll consistently stay healthier through the February competition stretch than the ones who don't.
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A stretching mat for home
Stunt athletes need serious flexibility work outside of practice. A thin gymnastics or yoga mat at home makes the difference between doing the stretching routine and not doing it. If there’s no comfortable surface at home, the routine doesn’t happen. A 1-inch foam panel mat or a thick yoga mat works fine.
What the program provides
The team provides: a competitive uniform, access to the mat surface, and coaching. Competition entry fees are usually covered by the program.
What you’re always on your own for: shoes, tape, and a mouthguard. Those three, you buy.
Sizing notes
Need to know what size? See our Stunt sizing guide.
Used gear notes
Mat shoes are acceptable used from Facebook Marketplace or a cheer resale shop. Check the sole for uneven wear and separation from the upper. Ankle braces should be new — used ones may have lost their structural support without showing it visually. Foam rollers and stretching mats are fine used.
What you can skip
Skip physical therapy-grade recovery equipment. A foam roller and a mat handle what a youth stunt athlete needs. Skip multiple pairs of mat shoes — one good pair is enough. Skip stretching apps and paid flexibility programs. The basics from a coach or YouTube are sufficient for beginner and intermediate levels.