Although cheerleading has developed into a sport that includes stunt sequences and tumbling, jumps are still an essential part of cheers, chants and dance routines. Basic cheerleading jumps include tuck jumps, toe touches, front and side hurdlers and pikes. Performing cheerleading jumps involves leg strength and flexibility. Always stretch before and after practicing jumps to increase flexibility and reduce risk of injury.
Tuck Jump
A tuck jump is the most basic cheerleading jump and often used as a warm-up jump during practice. To perform a tuck jump, start with your arms in a high V. Bend your knees and swing your arms down and across the front of your body. Jump off the ground and bring your knees to your chest as you bring your arms back into a high V motion. Keep your knees together and your head and chest raised. Land with your knees bent and your feet together.
Pike
The pike is a more difficult jump because it involves flexible hamstring and strong legs and abdominal muscles. This jump is a common position when learning basket tosses. Start with your arms in a high V position. Bend your knees and swing your arms down and across the front of your body. Jump off the ground and bring your legs out in front of you. Reach for your toes, but keep your back straight and your head and chest up. Land with your knees bent and your feet together. When performed correctly, your thighs should be parallel with the ground in the air.
Hurdler
Side and front hurdlers may be performed with either leg straight. Most cheerleaders favor one side over the other when performing front and side hurdlers. When performing a side hurdler, your lead leg remains straight with your knee facing up. The other leg is bent with the knee facing toward the front. Keep your head and chest up, and your back straight. There are a variety of arm motions to do with a hurdler, but a T motion is most common.
A front hurdler is performed with your lead leg straight out in front of you and your other leg bent behind you. This jump looks like you're jumping over a hurdle. Many cheerleaders have the flexibility to bring their lead leg close to their head when in motion. As you perform the jump, reach toward your lead toe with both arms, but keep your back straight and your chest up. Land with your knees bent and legs together when performing a front or side hurdler.
Spread Eagle
A spread eagle is another basic jump that helps build the leg strength needed to perform toe touches. Your body resembles an "X" when performing a spread eagle. Start with your arms in a high V position. Bend your knees and swing your arms down and across the front of your body. Jump off the ground and bring your legs out to the side. Bring your arms back into a high V. Keep your knees facing forward and your toes pointed. Your back should be straight and your head and chest raised. Land with your knees bent and feet together.
Toe Touch
Performing a toe touch involves leg strength and flexibility in your hip flexors and hamstrings. During a toe touch your knees face upward and your body sits back into the jump. Start with your arms in a high V. Bend your knees and swing your arms down and across the front of your body. Jump off the ground and lift your legs out to the side with your knees facing up, not forward. Sit back into the jump and reach your arms toward your toes. Whip your legs back together and land with your knees bent. An "inverted" toe touch involves lifting your toes higher than your hips. Many cheerleaders can perform an "inverted" toe touch by keeping their back straight and rolling their hips under.
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