A toe touch is an impressive and frequently used jump in cheerleading that requires extensive flexibility and great power. In a toe touch jump position, you straddle your legs as if you were sitting on the ground. Your knees point up, and your toes are pointed. Your arms are held out straight out from your shoulders and parallel to the ground. In a toe touch, you should never reach for your feet. Instead you should lift your legs up toward your arms, keeping your arms parallel to the ground. Keep your chest lifted in a toe touch, and focus your eyes on the crowd.
Wall Straddle
Step 1
Increase the degree of your straddle position for your toe touch with a wall straddle stretch.
Step 2
Lie on the ground with your rear end up against a wall. Extend your straight legs up the wall with your feet pointing to the ceiling.
Step 3
Keep your lower back pressed into the ground as you open your legs and let them fall into a straddle position. Let gravity pull your legs closer to the ground, but keep your legs straight and your toes pointed. Your knees should point toward your head in the wall straddle position.
Step 4
Hold the wall straddle position for 30 seconds. Repeat the stretch three times per day.
Jump Drills
Step 1
Drill your toe touch to improve the height your body gets off the ground and the height your legs get in the air. Perform this drill at every cheerleading workout.
Step 2
Start with your hands above your head in a high-V motion. With your feet together, rise up on the balls of your feet.
Step 3
Swing your arms down, crossing them in front of your body. Bend your knees deeply, gaining power for your jump.
Step 4
Continue the swing of your arms upward as you explode off the ground. Lift your legs into a straddle position and your arms straight out to the sides in a T motion.
Step 5
Land the jump with your feet together and your knees slightly bent. Immediately spring back up into another toe touch, without taking any bounce in between jumps.
Step 6
Repeat for a total of five toe touches in a row. Work up to completing five sets of five toe touches.
Tips and Warnings
- The jump drill described can be done to improve any cheerleading jump.
- Thoroughly warm up prior to doing any jump conditioning like a wall straddle or jump drills.
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