Cheerleading jumps may seem to be a daunting skill to learn; however, by breaking them down into the basic components, you can better understand them and practice them more effectively. Once you have mastered a jump, you can perform it when your team scores, when a player is introduced or in a cheer. Remember the basics for all jumps are pointed toes and a cheerleader smile.
Jump Preparation
A jump preparation gives you the power to do your jump. Start up on the balls of your feet with your arms above your head in a high V motion. Swing your arms down crossing them in front of your body as you bend your knees deeply. After your arms point straight down to the ground, begin the upswing of your arms as you explode off the ground. Hit the jump position with your lower body, remembering that every jump has a corresponding arm motion you must also hit.
Basic Jumps
Start out by learning easier jumps to give yourself confidence and build the foundation you will use to attempt more difficult jumps. The tuck jump and spread eagle are two basic jumps to learn. In a tuck jump, your knees bend up toward your chest. You do not kick your rear end with your heels. Make sure to bring your knees up and keep your shins perpendicular to the ground. In a tuck jump, your arms should be in a high V motion. A spread eagle is a jump where your legs straddle apart. Keep your knees pointing forward, and hit a high V or touchdown motion with your arms.
Advanced Jumps
Once you have a few basic jumps mastered, move on to some advanced jumps like the toe touch and the pike. In a toe touch, your legs straddle like in a spread eagle; however, your knees point up as if you were seated on the ground. Your arms hit a T motion. Even though it is called a toe touch, you do not reach for your feet. Keep your arms parallel to the ground and lift your legs up toward them. For a pike jump, lift both of your legs in front of you. Keep your legs together as you try to lift them parallel to the ground. Your arms should punch straight out in front of you also parallel to the ground. As in a toe touch, do not reach for your legs. Lift your legs to your arms.
Finish the Jump
Regardless if the jump you are performing is easy or hard, a clean finish will help it look more polished. Land your jump with your feet together and your knees slightly bent. Lean forward slightly with your torso, but keep your back very straight. Place your fists alongside your calves. Hold this position for a count of two. Next pop your feet out to shoulder-width apart and place your fists on your hips, snapping your head up with your chin slightly lifted.
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