Cheerleading Info Center

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.

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.

Cheer Photo of the Week!

Thanks to Elite Cheer and Dance for this great Kick Basket Toss Photo!

Do you have a great cheer photo?  Send us your pictures and see yourself on CIC!

How to Take Care of Your Pets

Do you love animals like we do?  Are you thinking about getting a dog or a cat?  Well, the following tips from Kathy Wilson, certified pet sitter and business owner of Clermont Pet Sitting ,  http://www.clermontpetsitting.com, will help you make your experience the best and keep your pet happy and healthy!  For more details, click YOU AND YOUR PET.

1.  Diet- Stick to foods made specifically for your pet.

2.  Fresh water- Always be sure your pet has access to fresh water, and clean their water bowl regularly.

3.  Exercise- this is so important for all pets, not just dogs.

You and Your Body Image

Have you ever wanted to change something about your body to look like someone in a magazine or on TV?  Well, you should know that they really don't even look like that!  Check out this video and see what a difference a makeup artist, lighting, and photoshop can do.  Also, don't forget to check our our Body Image section for lots of tips.  Let us know what you think by leaving a us a comment.

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:

How to Prevent Bullying and Cyber Bullying

According to Cati Grant of www.CatiCares.com, here are some things you can do to help prevent bullying.  Also, click BULLYING PREVENTION TIPS for details.

1. Never give out your personal information to anyone.
2. Never write to someone who makes you feel uncomfortable.
3. Never send photos or videos to strangers.
4. Tell your parents or trusted adult should anything happen.
5. Remember, people on-line are not always who they say they are.
6. Never agree to meet with anyone you met on-line.

Cheerleaders Doing Great Things - Catherine Grant

We would like to introduce to you Catherine Grant, also know as Cati.   She is a cheerleader from California and is an amazing young women.  Her goal is to get 1,000,000 teens to pledge to stop bullying and cyper bullying.  Let's help her!

Click www.CatiCares.com to sign her pledge form.

To read all about Cati and her amazing story, click on CATI GRANT STORY. 

According to Cati, here are the SHOCKING Statistics about Cyber Bullying:

*  The National Crime Prevention Council suggests that more than 1/2 of Teens are exposed to cyber bullying in one form or another.

*  1 in 5 Teens had it happen more than once and 58% have not told their parents.

*  Girls are more likely than boys to be the target of cyber bullying