The toe touch is the most universal cheerleading jump. Many squads require one for cheerleading tryouts. Mastering it is essential to being a cheerleader. However, once you master it, you may want to add a little variety to yours to keep it exciting. Work hard to first perfect your toe touch and then try these variations.
Basic Toe Touch
Start your toe touch up on the balls of your feet with your feet together and your arms in a high V. Swing your arms down, crossing them in front of your body as you bend your knees initiating the power for your jump. When your arms pass pointing straight down to the ground, begin your jump exploding in the air and lifting your legs out to a straddle with your arms in a T position. Work to get your legs at least parallel to the ground. Keep your arms parallel to your legs. Do not reach for your feet. Lift your legs up to your arms. Keep your chest up with your face looking at the crowd. Land with your feet together, your knees slightly bent, and your arms alongside your legs. Pause in this position and then pop your feet apart and place your fists on your hips, ending your jump.
Alternate Arms
Once you have mastered a perfect toe touch, the easiest way to add variety is with alternate arm motions. The first option is to simply continue the upward swing of your arms ending in a high V motion, both arms above your head at a 45-degree angle to your head, as your hit your straddle. Another option is to point both arms straight down to the ground parallel to each other. This option requires you to alter your jump preparation a little. Instead of swinging your arms in front of your body, start with them in a tabletop motion, fists in front of your shoulders with your elbows pulled in toward your body and directly under your fists. Bend your knees deeply and then spring up into a straddled leg position as you punch your fists straight down.
Adding Difficulty
You can also increase the excitement of your toe touch by making it more difficult. A hyperextended toe touch should be your goal after you master your toe touch with your legs parallel to the ground. In a hyperextended toe touch, your legs pass the point of parallel to the ground and start to V upward. Make sure that your arms remain parallel to the ground in a hyperextended version of your toe touch. Another way to make your toe touch harder is to double it. A double toe touch is just two toe touches in a row. Land your first toe touch with feet together, knees slightly bent, and arms alongside your legs. Immediately explode back up into the air lifting your legs into another toe touch position, before finishing off your jump with feet apart and hands on your hips.
Toe Touch Back Handspring
If you have mastered all of these variations and are still looking for a way to spice up your toe touch, consider adding a back handspring to it. Land your toe touch with your feet together, knees slightly bent and your arms alongside your legs. Immediately spring up, initiating your back handspring. It is very important that your toe touch flow directly into your back handspring. Imagine the lowering of your arms after you hit your toe touch as the beginning of your back handspring arm swing. Make sure to pop out to a clean finish after your back handspring.
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