The jumps, tumbling and stunting involved in cheerleading require a cheerleader to know many body positions. Cheerleaders must possess good body awareness to master these positions and use proper form to get the positions just right. Whether jumping, tumbling, or stunting, master all body positions on the ground prior to attempting them in the air.
Tuck
A tuck involves pulling your knees into your chest. In a tuck, you should never kick your rear end with your heels. This body position is found in the jump called a tuck jump. Typically, a tuck jump is executed with your arms above your head in a high V motion. You also find a tuck in tumbling. A back tuck and a front tuck are flips that can be used alone or as a part of a tumbling pass. When using a tuck position in a tumbling skill, keep your neck neutral, not allowing it to arch back. Finally, a tuck also is used in stunting. Most often you will see a tuck as a part of a tossing stunt such as a basket toss, in which three or four cheerleaders throw a top person into the air. At the peak of the toss, she hits a tuck position.
Toe Touch
A toe touch is a straddled body position. In a toe touch, you straddle your legs apart with your knees turned up as if you were sitting on the ground. Your arms should reach out straight from your shoulders and remain parallel to the ground. Never reach for your legs. Instead lift your legs up toward your arms. A toe touch position is seen in the jump called a toe touch. Many cheerleaders aspire to have a hyperextended toe touch jump, in which their legs pass the point of horizontal and point up toward their arms. Another cheerleading category that uses a toe touch position is stunting. Most often a toe touch is hit as a skill in a basket toss.
Liberty
The body position called a liberty involves a cheerleader balancing on one foot while her free leg is bent. When executing a liberty position, it is important that you keep the thigh of your bent leg parallel to the ground. The foot of your bent leg should be right near the knee of your supporting leg; however, do not rest the foot on your knee. Arm motions used in a liberty can vary, but typically are above the head in a high V motion, a touchdown, or a single-arm punch. You can use this position on the ground in a cheer or in a stunt that is extended above the head and based by three cheerleaders.
Heel Stretch
The heel stretch position is a variation of the liberty. While balancing on one foot, a cheerleader extends her free leg toward her head. The free leg is straight and angled slightly to the side. When grabbing your heel, use the hand on the same side as your free leg. Make a cup with your hand and place your heel in it. Place your other arm in a high V motion. Aim to get your leg high enough that both arms, the one with a heel in it and the free arm, form a V shape. While a heel stretch sometimes is used as a position on the ground, it most often is used in an extended stunt that requires three bases.
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