Cheerleading Info Center

Your Cheerleading Jump Questions Answered!

Which jump would you like info on:  the Straight Jump, Tuck Jump, Spread Eagle, Side Hurdler, Double Hook, Front Hurdler, Toe Touch, Pike, or the Double Nine?   Well we have the answers you are looking for!  Just click on our JUMPS page and get ready for all of your jump info in one place!  Happy Jumping!

Cheerleading Tuck Jump

The Tuck Jump is one of the first jumps any cheerleader should learn.  It is one of the easiest as you can practice proper form on the ground.  Click TUCK JUMP for more details as well as a video demonstration.

When you do a Tuck Jump you should:

• Bring your knees up to your chest, do not kick your legs behind you.  The best way to feel what a proper Tuck jump is like is to practice on the ground as shown in the photos below.
• Keep your knees together
• Have your arms in a High V Motion
• Keep your head and chest up, do not lean forward
• Keep your back straight
• Land with your feet together.

Cheerleading Toe Touch Jump

Would you like to have the perfect Toe Touch Jump?  Well, here are some tips to remember.  Also, click TOE TOUCH JUMP for a lot more information as well as a video demonstration.

It is a myth that you need to be able to do a perfect split to have a beautiful toe touch.  If you actually look at one from the side, you will see that your body is in a "sitting" position and your legs come up to meet your hands.  Also, you do not "touch" your toes - you should reach for your heels;  this gives the illusion that your legs are "inverted or hyper-extended".  Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Toe Touch Jump Execution Tips:

• Keep your head and chest up.
• Bring your legs up to you.
• Reach for your heels - not your toes.
• Land with your feet together.
• For the "inverted / hyper-extended" effect, keep your back completely straight and roll your hips under you as you reach for your heels at the top of your jump.
• Keep your body in the "sitting" position and do not lean forward to reach your toes.

Front Hurdler Jump

The Front Hurdler is also a very popular jump, especially for competition routines.  It is an advanced jump and as with all things, practice makes perfect.  For a video demonstration, click FRONT HURDLER INFORMATION.  Here are some things to remember as you pactice:

• This jump is the same as the Side Hurdler as one leg is out with the knee facing up and the other leg is bent with that knee facing the crowd / down.  The difference is that your lead leg is kicking directly in front of you. 
• Arms are in a High Touchdown Motion.
• Point your toes.
• Land with your feet together.
• This jump is usually performed with the cheerleader positioned on an angle so you can see the jump.

Remember:   The Front Hurdler can be done with either leg as the lead leg.  Usually, you will be better on one side than the other.  You should practice with both legs as the lead leg as you never know which leg will come up in a routine. 

Herkey Cheerleading Jump

The Herkey Jump is a very popular jump and is widely used for tryouts.  As such, it is one that you should have in your skills list.  Following is a list of Herkey Jump Tips to help you improve yours.  Also, click HERKEY JUMP  for a video a demonstration.

Herkey Jump Tips:

• The Herkey has one leg STRAIGHT out to the side with that knee facing the sky. 
• Point your toes.
• The other leg is bent with the knee facing the ground.  This is a jump that you can NOT practice on the ground but you can practice with a friend.
• Land with your feet together.
• You can do a variety of arm motions however the "T" motion is the most popular.
• Keep your back straight and head up.

Remember:   The Herkey can be done with either leg as the lead leg.  Usually, you will be better on one side than the other and that is ok.  However, you should practice with both legs as the lead leg as you never know which leg will come up in a routine.  Also, you can add a variety of arm motions to make the jump your own!

Cheerleading Jump Tips

Do you want to improve your jumps?  Who doesn't!  Here are some tips to get you on your way.  Click CHEERLEADING JUMP TIPS  for more details!

Jump Tips:

• Keep your head up and do not look down:  Many people have a tendancy to look down during their jumps; as such they don't get the height they need.  If you look up, your momentum will flow UP and help lift your body.

• Bring your feet and legs to you:  For example, when you are doing a toe touch, bring your legs up to meet your hands - do not reach down toward them.   

• PRACTICE   PRACTICE   PRACTICE!

• SMILE! If you have the best jump in the world but you do not smile, it is really not that pretty.

• Land with your feet together.

• Practice them on the ground to get proper position:  Some jumps can be done on the ground like the Tuck jump, Side Hurdler, Double Hook, Toe Touch, Pike, and Double Nine.   The Herkey can not be done on the ground because your knee is facing down not forward like the Hurdler. 

• FUN TIP:  For a fun game, do your jumps on the ground and mix them up.  Have someone call them out like the game Simon Says.  

• Do lots of Strength and Flexibility Exercises:  Doing jump exercises will help the height and execution of your jumps.  CLICK HERE for a list of exercises. 

How to Improve Your Cheerleading Jumps

Do you want to improve your jumps?  Well, one thing you can do is leg raises. 

This exercise can help you on the height and landing of your jumps.

Slow Kicks:  Slow kicks are for strength and works your quadricept muscle.  Concentrate on lifting your leg for a count of 2 up and 2 counts down.  Feel your quadricept muscle working.  Do 3 to 5 on each leg.

Fast Kicks:  Fast kicks help your flexibility and the extension of your jumps.  Also, fast kicks help you land with your feet together as you work your hamstrings to pull your leg down.

For details click Cheerleading JUMP EXERCISES.

Jumps, Jumps, and More Jumps!

Do you need some help on your jumps?  It is one of the most common areas for cheerleaders to work on.  We have an entire section dedicated to jumps to give you tips, guidelines, videos, photos, and more CLICK HERE for details.  Also, let us know what is your favorite: