by SBPR

Question by Taylor B: If i have never been a cheerleader what are some things i can do to become more flexible?
i know the basics but i need to learn to do back handsprings and flips i can only do i back-stand and cartwheel and i also need some cheers…GO TROJANS!

Best answer:

Answer by ugotquestionsihaveanswers!
Hi Taylor!

I have cheered pretty much all my life and have back based tumbled and flown. In order to become flexible the first thing you must do is be prepared to endure pain. Cheerleading is a sport where you use a lot of muscles that your body doesnt use everyday. Therefore how you do stretches is very important because it is very easy to pull something such as your hip flexer or hamstring and such. First I would advise doing a simple straddle on the floor with a chair in front off you. hold onto the legs on the chair and pull your body down make your back is straight and that your breathing at all times. Breathing is key in stretching because when you go back to the same position your body will be able to stretch even further. you can also straddle the wall flexing your feet and bending your knees and with one hand in front of you and one hand in back of your push yourself into the wall. This good for side splits heel stretches kicks and bow and aeros.hold every stretch for 30secs . going into splits is also good and keep your up and lean your body over your front leg and point your toes. THIS WILL HURT YOU MUST DO THIS EVERYDAY! start with that so far….

Backhand springs take a lot of strength many cheerleaders now a days can do backhandsprings but they do them incorrectly. Your legs should never open and your arch is very important to gain upper body strength do push ups and do handstands agains the wall and snap your legs down together as quickly as you can when this becomes easy this helps for position and running tumbling passes. even your going to want to do a running back handspring backhand tuck and your snap is very important for going into the next tumbling pass. However always do this with a spot when learning and do this on a gym floor.
Good Luck

Give your answer to this question below!