Q&A for How to Improve Cheer Jumps

When you land for cheer you have to land "clean" which means with your hands to your sides and standing up straight. In order to keep your balance, bend your knees slightly when you land and keep your body tight. As you land, stand up straight with arms to your sides. Practice on a mini trampoline. Start by bouncing into the jump as if playing on the trampoline, then slowly bounce less until you can do the jump without having to bounce to get good results, then move to doing the jumps on the ground.

Yes, you can become a cheerleader at any age as long as you are determined and try your hardest. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Put ankle weights on your legs and do your jumps for 10 minutes every day for a week.

10-15, or until your muscles feel loose and warm.

When you jump, bring your legs up as fast as possible, then bring them back down just as fast. Fast up and fast down. This will make your jumps higher and your landings better.

You can start cheering at any age, from 4-5 years old onwards. If you are old enough to take dance or gymnastics lessons, you are old enough to start to learn cheer.

Hyperextended means your legs go higher up than in a regular toe touch. With hyperextended jumps you form almost a "v" with your legs. Hyperextended jumps are executed just like a regular toe touch but demonstrate a higher level of flexibility.

First off, you need to stretch so you don't pull any muscles. If you do pull a muscle, yes, you need to stop until the muscle heals so you don't tear it.

Just stretch your legs morning and evening, and hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Don't overstretch. You'll quickly gain flexibility that will enable you to do the splits.

Not too long, as you can be helped by a coach or fellow teammate. You could also watch tutorials on how to get your toe touch higher, and learn what do do before a cheer jump such as clean, clasping and crossing, for example.

You should stretch your arms and legs for about 15-20 minutes at a time. Don't rush your stretches or you might pull a muscle or otherwise hurt yourself.

Use your arms and swing around and execute the jump.

Stretch daily. This will help you get them. If you need more help, look it up. It can take you three days or three years; it depends on how long and how often you stretch.

Stretching is the number one way to become more flexible. Stretch every day and soon you should see improvement.

Stretching and practicing helps. It really helps when you are warmed up as well.

The best thing to do is stretch a lot beforehand and remember point your toes.

Use resistance bands and ankle weights to strengthen your jump and eventually it will make you jump higher. You could also start jumping on a spring floor.

Learn the dances and cheers they give you with sharp motions, but best of all, have a good attitude because coaches value that. They will teach your jumps and tumbling.

Try to spread positive awareness of cheerleading in your society! Talk to others about how it is great exercise, builds self-esteem and is fun.

There is not a specific height requirement for jumps, unless directed by your coach. Remember, your jumps may not be very good starting out, but over time, with practice and good stretching, you'll be able to get better height in your jumps.

You can use ankle weights or have a friend or family member help lift you when you do your jumps and you'll get the feeling of your limbs being higher.

Concentrate on explosive leg workouts, to improve your ability to jump more quickly, more easily, and higher. Sprints and box jumps may help as well. Finally, start your practice routine with dynamic workouts.

Just straighten your legs and tighten your leg muscles.

All you really need to do is basic stretches that warm up your muscles. Warming up your muscles loosens them to allow you to go to your highest level of kicking.

Practice at home! Make sure you are stretching everyday, practicing your jumps, and possibly trying some new skills! Watching some YouTube videos on how to get prepared helps, and watching some flexibility tutorials can help you improve as well!

Yes, you can find a local team that will allow you to cheer. You will be able to search baed on your specific age requirements.

You don't need ankle weights to improve your jumps, just stretch daily and work on thigh strength.

Try doing t-kicks. Kick your legs out to the side with your knee facing up. This will help a lot. If you still need to get your legs up faster, try pushing off of your foot instead of your toes.

Start by practicing on trampolines, and also on the ground. Also, some cheer gyms offer back handspring clinics where the main focus is learning it.

Sit on the ground in a straddle with your hands on the floor in front of you, lift your legs with toes pointed and move your legs in backwards circles (10-15). Do that twice a day and you will start to rotate in your jumps.