Question by Linds C: Cheerleading?
I’m going to be a freshman in high school and cheerleading tryouts has already happened but i want to try out for cheerleading next year i have to do a backhand spring, kartwheel, etc.! We have to do lots of flips and i can’t do any of them! Can ya’ll tell me how i can learn the flips without going to a gymanstics teacher or join gymnastics?
Best answer:
Answer by Charlotte F
Okay idea…get a gym teacher or you wont get into cheerleading,
Add your own answer in the comments!
I wouldn’t suggest trying to flip without having a teacher to help you. All you’ll do is hurt yourself. You can practice cartwheels on your own though. Always stretch first, and work a lot onyour flexibilty by doing splits and stuff, but don’t try to force yourself all the way down on the first shot, because you’ll just pull muscles. To teach yourself cartwheels, work on handstands first, and when youc an do those well, just try cartwheeling and practice until you get better at it. But please don’t attempt a backhandspring without professional help, and if you do, at least do it on a trampoline.
honestly, you can only learn proper technique by joining a gymnastics class. you can do open classes, or set up a private class. they’re usually payed monthly, and that’s really the best way to have good tumbling skills. by taking gymnastics classes, the judges (for when you tryout next year) will be impressed you’ve taken a step by joining the class to achieve getting on the squad. also, taking a class will help you get it faster so you’ll have it confidently before tryouts. hope this helps =)
well what i would do is ask a friend to like spot you in doing like back handspringd and stuff like tht! if they have some sort of experence!
there are things that you can do at home to HELP you, when you are ready and have sufficient supervision to attempt a backhandspring. Work on your flexability. Stretch your legs really well, that will help with your cartwheels. Do backbends (from the standing position only if you can, if not, start from the laying position). Do backbends, then kick your legs over your head and stand up. That will really help with the flexability of your back, and also your arm strength.
But you really need to get to a gym, where they have experianced people who can help you, or be there to catch you when you fall. It isnt worth trying to do it all on your own, and risk getting hurt, and not even being able to try out, due to an injury.
You can work on these drills for back handsprings: http://geocities.com/aescougarcheer/basics.htm#st
However you will eventually need to take the class to actually do the bhs. If you are concerned about money my advice is get the perfect handspring and bridge at home, _then_ take the class for the bhs. But you probably would learn it faster doing both the drills at home _and_ the class at least once per week.
Alot of cheerleading/ dance gyms have open gyms. Most of the time they are free. Just try going once a week or every few weeks and just get out there and try. If you still need help try going to this website to get the basics of gymnastics.
http://cheerleading.about.com/od/gymnasticsandtumbling/