Jumps

Posted by michigancheerleader on April 7, 2011 · 4 Comments 

One of the most basic elements of cheerleading is jumps, they are included in both sideline and competitive, and, when performed correctly, can be a real crowd-pleaser.

Keep in mind that there are many interpretations of jumps (especially herkies and hurdlers); these jumps are explained in the way that is specified by MHSAA.

The Jumps:

Tuck

This is a beginner level jump and is a steping stone to harder jumps; it is useful to use tuck jumps when perfecting timing and preps.

For a tuck jump, bring your knees up to your chest as shown and hit a high-v. Do not bring your feet to your butt; that’s not even a jump!

POINT YOUR TOES!

Double Hook

Do this positioning on the ground first to get the feel of it. A good double hook should look exactly the way it looks when you sit on the ground. Arms are often varied but the most popular way to do it is to put your hands (in fists) where your feet are (as shown).

This can be performed with either leg in front.

POINT YOUR TOES!

Toe Touch

The toe touch is one of the most popular and prettiest cheer jumps, it is also one of the most difficult. When doing a toe touch do not actually reach for your toes; this will stop your legs from getting height. Keep your upper body tall and let your legs come upt o you. Spread your legs as much as you can; rotating your legs from the hip flexer so that your knees almost face behind you will make your toe touch appear wider. Do not let your muscles tighten up to much (especially your quads) as this will stop your legs from going as high as they would otherwise. Do not bend your legs on the way down (we don’t like frogs)!

Arms are usually in a slightly forward T (meaning: not straight out to the sides, but angled toward the front) with hands in either fists or blades.

POINT YOUR TOES!

Herky

Herkys can be performed with either the right or left leg in the straight position. It is important to do both so that one leg is not higher than the other in your toe touch.

In MHSAA competitive cheerleading the bent leg is in table top position with the straight leg out to the side. The most important thing is to get the straight leg above parallel.

(NOTE: The straight leg is in the same position as a toe touch with the bent leg in the same position as the back leg of a double hook.)

Arms are varied for herkys. Some position their arms the same as in a toe touch, others have arms going the direction of the feet (making a sort of diagonal), and others have the front arm the same as a toe touch with the back arm in a fist at the waist.

POINT YOUR TOES!

Pike

Pikes are one of the more difficult jumps to perfect, but they are well worth the effort; look how pretty that is!

For a pike jump your legs will never bend after the prep. Bring your legs up to your chest as high as you can while also leaning forward with your upper body.

The best thing to do when doing a pike is to squeeze your ab muscles as much as you can; you can even make sound effects if that helps (I know it helps me).

Arms go straight out in front in fists.

POINT YOUR TOES!

Hurdler

For a hurdler, the front leg and arms are the same as a pike. The back leg is bent with the knee pointing down.

Really focus on getting that front leg as high as possible.

The hurdler can be performed with either leg in either position.

POINT YOUR TOES!

Double Nine

The double nine is very similar to the pike jump.

The important thing to remember is that you are making a 9 with both your legs and arms (hence the name). This means that the right leg and arm are always straight with the left leg and arm always bent.

The bottom of your left foot should meet the inside of your right knee and your left fist should meet the inside of your right elbow.

Your legs should be parallel to the ground.

POINT YOUR TOES!

You may have noticed that the reaccuring message is POINT YOUR TOES, this is because even the most terrible jump can be somewhat redeemed by pointed toes and the best jump can be made ugly with unpointed toes, so POINT THEM!

Filed under Jumps · Tagged with cheer, cheerleader, cheerleading, competitive cheerleading, jump, Justine McGuire, MHSAA, practice, tips