Stunt teams require more than just strength. They require trust, communication, and dedication from everyone on the team. To understand what it takes to succeed in the world of stunt, we spoke with Coach Sky and several members of Cardozo’s stunt team. Here’s a glimpse into their approach to training, their challenges, and the bonds they form along the way.
Coach Sky, the stunt team’s coach, shared that there is a lot that goes into training the athletes on the team. “My approach is to get into the kids’ heads and help them learn through repetition,” she explained. This method allows athletes to perfect their technique and build muscle memory, which is important when it comes to stunt.
Another big factor of being on stunt is trust. Coach Sky shared that at the core of her coaching, trust is the most important.
“I encourage them to be a team. A lot of sports don’t emphasize this, but in stunt, if you’re going to lift someone into the air, you need to trust each other,” she reflected. She pushes athletes to get to know one another, fostering a deep sense of unity that’s essential for stunt work.
Coach Sky believes that athletes on stunt can use their body weight as a means of building strength. “Instead of relying solely on weight training, we use our own bodies to build strength,” she explained. For technique, it’s all about repetition: “We do the same things over and over until they completely understand the movements. Practice makes perfect, and it’s okay to make mistakes. It helps them learn to fix things on their own.”
Of course, some of the student athletes on the team can make mistakes. But, Coach Sky approaches these mistakes in a direct way. “I act like a football coach,” she said. “I address the issue immediately. I’d rather they make mistakes so they can understand what went wrong and learn how to correct it.”
This method reinforces learning and ensures that athletes remember the correct form.
Many of the student athletes on the stunt team joined for a way to be part of a bigger movement here at Cardozo. Fara-Olivia Miller wanted a fresh start.
“I joined the stunt team for a new environment and to grow with new people in a team sport,” she shared. Miller also said that it was a way for her to get out of her shell and meet new people. “I was not a very social person starting at a new school but just getting to know you guys really opened me up and it gave me drive to do good in my school work,” she continued.
For Maissam Liadi, getting into stunt went hand-in-hand with cheerleading. “Cheer was a great experience that helped me learn a lot about myself, and stunt is an extension of that,” she shared.
Liadi said that it’s a challenge to learn new routines, but a rewarding experience when she can see herself shine. “I went from watching people do gymnastic skills on TV to actually doing them myself,” she explained. “It’s tough, but I’m determined to learn it.”
These skills and routines can be challenging to pick up and learn, but the challenge is what sets stunt apart from other sports at Cardozo. Some students seek out that challenge and want to really test themselves.
“I wanted to try something new that would challenge me and strengthen me mentally and physically,” explained Mackenzie Abel, another stunt team member.
Abel is currently working on back and forward rolls and handstands. “I have trouble believing in myself sometimes, but I know if I keep working at it, I can get it,” she said. She also shared that the team is very supportive and motivating for her. “They cheer me on when I feel like I can’t do something and help me fix my mistakes without judgment.”
Stunt is not just about tricks and movement, but also about feeling empowered and strong as a female, overall. Genesis Diego expressed that joining the team was a confident boost and made her feel like a stronger girl. “Seeing the girls work hard and the female empowerment in the sport really inspired me,” she explained. “The bonds you make with your teammates and growing together as a unit is incredibly motivating.”
Learning new stunts and routines can be hard, but Diego said, “I feel like I’m picking up the concepts pretty well. It’s all about focusing and adjusting my mindset when I’m on the mat.”
It’s clear to see that the stunt team is more than just performing. It’s a place where student athletes can grow, both individually and as a team. With guidance from coaches like Coach Sky and support from teammates, these girls are learning life lessons — trust, teamwork, dedication, and confidence.
