How do I improve my cheerleading jumps?

Question by HollisterHottie: How do I improve my cheerleading jumps?
I am trying out for cheerleading agian in august. Last season I cheered but my jumps stunk. I need help on my toe touches, pikes, and herkies. I can do a right leg split if that helps at all. I need to learn how to improve them in 3 weeks. Please no links to websites.

Best answer:

Answer by Tatiana
With jumps in cheerleading, a lot of the strength comes from the ankles and calves.

Start by doing some calf stretches each morning and evening by doing forward lunges and toe-touches.
For your ankles, work them side-to-side and make circles with them anytime you are sitting (in class, on the bed, watching TV) and you will build your strength.

Once you have strengthened these, focus on using the ankles as a “spring” and imagine you are being pulled up by a string on top of your head. This will allow your body to remain upright and “pop” the way it should.

Good Luck!

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3 thoughts on “How do I improve my cheerleading jumps?”

  1. Full of Questions...

    HI!!! i am in almost the same postion as you, only i already made the squad.. haha. but my jumps are really bad!! 🙂
    For help with a toe touch:
    Lay on the floor. At the same time as one another, swing your body and legs up. make sure your legs are coming up, and its kinda like doing a toe touch on the ground. Also, try sitting with your legs out, like your doing a toe touch, but have your hands on the floor (near you croch area.. not trying to be gross) and lift your legs up, without leaning back. hold them in this position as long as you can.
    Help on Pikes:
    Lay on the ground in a straight line, just like the first exersize in ‘toe touch’ area. Swing your legs and upper half of your body up, just like your doing a pike on the floor.
    Help with hurkies.
    STRETCH!!!!! haha.

    Also, practice ALOT!! and doing them on the tramplone helps. record yourself while your doing it, so you can see what you need to improve on.

    Hope i helped!! and GOOD LUCK MAKING THE SQUAD!! i wish you the best!!

    best answer??

  2. Phoebe *All Star*

    Well, stretching always helps alot. Situps/crunches and leg lifts also are really good workouts for jumps.

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