Jumping in cheer is something almost everyone is expected to do. Many people think it is super easy to jump, but little do they know technique and flexibility are major components of jumping. Incorporating jumps into routines and cheers is expected for competitive squads. Jumps are also executed when spiriting at football games, basketball games, and other sporting events. Being able to jump at every cheerleading function is extremely important, especially at competitions and games. This is one of the main reasons why cheerleaders run, train, and condition much more than what people think. To be able to get any “up”, or any height in the air, one must build their leg muscles. Lunges, squats, and running are a few of the training tactics to build the leg muscles so cheerleaders can get into the air. Cheerleaders must also be flexible. Flexibility can either be inherited or earned. In my case, I was the least flexible person in my cheer group at the age of five. For years I stretched on my own time, sitting in a straddle while watching TV, to be able to get my legs in the air. For some girls flicking their legs into the air was second nature, for me it was work, but now after cheering and stretching for years anyone would believe I was born with natural flexibility.
There are many different types of jumps cheerleaders can execute, although some are more difficult than others. I will list the different jumps and explain the different approaches and executions used during the different jumps.
Toe-Touch
The toe-touch is the most basic and most executed jump amongst cheerleaders, although, the toe-touch is one of the hardest to execute.
Approach:
1. Start in a “clean” position (Someone will count out loud if the squad is jumping together you can count to yourself if you are doing a jump on your own. Counting allows the team to be in sync.) Hold the clean position for (5-6-7-8)
2. Clasp (1-2)
3. High-V (3-4)
4. Swing arms around toward each other in a circular motion while bending legs (5)
5. Hit the jump in the air, arms are in a T-motion and legs are in a straddle position with toes pointed. (6)
6. Snap legs back together and land “clean” (hands by your side and legs slightly bent, absorbing your weight so you don’t injure your knees)(7-8)
7. Stand in “clean” position on (1)
You can view the steps and exact positioning here.
Right Herkie
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| My technique in this jump is not the best (I was working on height...so don't pay attention to my arms) |
The right herkie happens to be a preferred jump. It is easier than the toe touch because you only have to focus on lifting one leg as high as possible while the other hits a bent position. The approach to the herkie is very similar to that of the toe touch. The only step that is different is step 5.
Approach:
1. Start in a “clean” position (5-6-7-8)
2. Clasp (1-2)
3. High-V (3-4)
4. Swing arms around toward each other in a circular motion while bending legs (5)
5. Hit the jump in the air, arms are in a T-motion and the right leg is in a straddle position while the left leg is bent to the side of you with the front part of the thigh facing forward, the knee facing to the side, and the toe pointed behind you. (6)
6. Snap legs back together and land “clean” (hands by your side and legs slightly bent, absorbing your weight so you don’t injure your knees)(7-8)
7. Stand in “clean” position on (1)
You can view the steps and exact positioning here.
Left Herkie
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| Again, don't pay attention to my arms! |
The left herkie is the exact same jump as the right herkie except the legs switch roles. The left leg is straight in a straddle position while the right leg is bent as if “peeing like a dog on a fire hydrant” (this is how most coaches explain the position.)
Right Hurdler
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The right hurdler happens to be one of my favorite jumps because it does not take as much effort as the other jumps if you have some level of flexibility. It is often used in competitions because it looks a lot cleaner than most jumps. The approach to the hurdler is different than that of the toe-touch and herkies.
Approach:
1. Start in a “clean” position. Hold for (5-6-7-8) Hold (1-2)
2. Clasp and bend legs (3)
3. Turn to the right and shoot arms up in a clasp position about 45° between your head and chest (4)
4. Swing arms down, while bending legs. (5) Swing arms out once reaching the knees, and around back to the same position but not clasping (make a fist with both hands and just extend both arms up in the same position without closing your arms)
5. Hit the jump in the air, arms are in the original motion (a “touchdown” motion) except at a 45° angle and the right leg is directly in front of you lifted as high as possible. Left leg is bent behind you trying to lift as high as possible and toes pointed. (6)
6. Snap legs back together and land “clean” (hands by your side and legs slightly bent, absorbing your weight so you don’t injure your knees)(7-8)
7. Stand in “clean” position facing back forward on (1)
You can view the steps and exact positioning here.
Left Hurdler
The left hurdler is the exact same jump as the right hurdler except the legs switch roles. The left leg is the straightened directly in front of you while the right is bent behind you. The direction of the jump changes as well, on count 4 you turn to the left.
Pike
The pike can either be the most difficult jump or the easiest jump depending on the flexibility and fear level of the person. This jump is actually easier for people with stronger leg muscles. It has the same approach as the hurdlers except on count six (step 5), you bring both legs up as high as possible giving the illusion as if your sitting on a table for a brief second. Both legs must stay together, touching at all times. The scariest part of this jump is the landing you have a second to get your legs as high as possible and then snap them back down or you can fall and break or injure your tailbone. This fear is what keeps most cheerleaders from reaching their full potential and height when executing the jump.
Jumps obviously are individual tricks, but all cheerleaders need to know how to jump because cheerleaders jump as a squad too. It takes time to get jumps high and looking pretty. But the time and training definitely do pay off in the end!
Trinity Cheer by Veronica Oviedo is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
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