Jumps are vital in cheerleading, demonstrating aerial skills that amp up excitement for the crowd. They also increase routine difficulty, allowing teams to earn more points during competition. That’s why honing proper jump technique is a must for every aspiring cheerleader. This guide covers four essential categories – basic, intermediate, advanced jumps, plus bringing it all together into seamless routines. Read on to leap your abilities upward!
Basic Cheerleading Jumps
3 key basic jumps form the foundation for superior air skills. Though simple, their correct execution remains crucial before advancing.
Tuck Jump
The athletic tuck jump lifts cheerleaders vertically while grabbing bent knees tightly into the chest.
How to: Start standing with feet hip-width apart. Swing arms back, then explode up as high as possible, simultaneously tucking knees to chest. Point toes and keep legs together. Land in plié (knees over toes) to absorb impact.
Common Mistakes:
- Insufficient knee lift towards chest
- Legs not kept together
- Failure to stick straight upright landing
Drill for Improvement: Practice tuck jumps often, focusing on maximizing height through forceful arm drive. Check form in the mirror, ensuring knees fully tuck and legs don’t gap apart. Repeat single jumps for precision before linking them together.
Pike Jump
The pike jump creates tension through a straight-body inverted “V”, hands clasping pointed feet overhead.
How to: Begin identically to the tuck jump – swinging arms back then springing straight up, this time reaching for toes instead of knees. Keep legs ruler-straight and connected, spine elongated. Stick the landing by absorbing impact through bent knees.
Common Mistakes:
- Bending at hips instead of keeping straight
- Letting legs drift apart
- Landing too heavily without bending knees
Drills for Improvement: Strengthen core and hamstrings for better piking. Work on consistency doing set plyometric pike jumps. Check form in mirrors.
Spread Eagle Jump
The spread eagle jump showcases agility through a midair side split while suspended in an X-shape.
How to: Take off like a tuck jump, then open hips and powerfully spread legs sideways into a straddle split. Fling arms out sideways as well, looking to opposite hands for full extension. Descend straight down nails landing through soft knees.
Common Mistakes:
- Legs remain too low instead of elevating
- Legs drift forward/backward instead of true side split
- Poor pointed toes
Drills for Improvement: Target overall height plus side split flexibility through strengthened inner thighs. Do leaping side lunges. Verify precise eagle positioning in mirrors.
Intermediate Cheerleading Jumps
After mastering basics, upping the ante with tricky intermediate jumps displays expanded capabilities for scoring points.
Toe Touch Jump
This graceful leap begins tuck-style before straightening midair into a gorgeous full-body extension, hands reaching towards pointed toes overhead.
How to: Initiate the toe touch identically to a tuck jump, springing vertically while bringing knees to chest. Then rapidly straighten legs on the ascent, elongating the body head to toe while reaching fingertips towards toes. Maintain precision form throughout flight then land softly.
Common Mistakes:
- Failing to quickly switch from early tuck to full extension
- Body alignment issues like arched lower back
Drills for Improvement: Work that core and hamstring flexibility! Practice toe touch leaps between tuck jumps fluidly. Video for form feedback. Gain height.
Double Nine Jump
The eye-catching double nine jump demands a half turn mid-flight for added complexity.
How to: Begin facing front then take off strongly upwards into a tuck position. Next, pivot sideways, unfurling legs straight as the body turns 180 degrees. Finish facing the back, arms stretched overhead towards pointed toes. Stick rear-facing landing.
Common Mistakes:
- Sloppy incomplete rotation
- Poor extension after turning
- Multiple landed hops to stabilize
Drills for Improvement: Spin speed comes from the core. Drill 180 degree jumps in place til comfortable before adding forward leap. Check for precise straight arms/legs extension facing back.
Herkie Jump
The Herkie combines style, difficulty and backbend flexibility into one phenomenal leap.
How to: Initiate identically to other jumps from front-facing stand. Thrust up opening body sideways with one leg lifting forward bent at the knee (like a high kick). Opposite leg extends back in an Arabesque, arcing spine and arms rearwards. Land sideways in lunge position.
Common Mistakes:
- Low knee lift height
- Hunched posture rather than back-arched
- Hopped landings
Drills for Improvement: Open those hips and shoulders for maximum backbend! Drill stationary Herkies holding onto support at first. Check form in mirror before adding jump.
Advanced Cheerleading Jumps
Experienced cheerleaders flaunt cutting-edge skills by conquering advanced jumps as wow factors during elite routines.
Layout Jump
This exceptional feat combines aerial height with a fully extended body position held nail straight throughout flight.
How to: Launch powerfully upwards from standing forward stance without initially tucking. Fling arms overhead, aggressively arching back as legs lift up pointed behind you parallel to the floor. Maintain rigid head to toe extension for maximum air before landing lunge-style into bent front knee.
Common Mistakes:
- Failure to sufficiently lift legs resulting in “piking”
- Overarching lower back past safe range
- Letting limbs drift apart
Drills for Improvement: Kick height comes from hip/glute power. Do layout leaping drills across floor first before adding height. Video self for feedback. Learn safe yet dramatic back-arching body alignment.
Pike Open Jump
This combines the pike position’s vertical difficulty with a sideways open straddle transitioning midflight for extra uniqueness and style points.
How to: Begin pike style – springing upwards while hands clasp ankles to fold body tight. Then instantly release hands shifting sideways into open straddle/toe touch form – legs splitting apart pointed downwards as arms reach overhead towards feet before landing sturdy.
Common Mistakes:
- Failure to quickly transition from pike fold to sideways open split
- Poor pointed foot extension throughout
- Landing hops due to shaky legs
Drills for Improvement: Strengthen inner thighs for clean split positioning. Drill pike down to toe touch jumps. Check form for straight arm/leg extension accuracy.
Arabesque Jump
This ballet-inspired leap blends grace, flexibility and acrobatics through its iconic rear-leg back extension and dramatic arched profile.
How to: Drive off forward leg to thrust body sky-high while back leg lifts up behind you, strongly pointed toe reaching towards ceiling. Forward arm reaches out as upper body deeply arches back, opposite arm stretched behind maintaining balance. Descend checking landing then repeating opposite arms/legs.
Common Mistakes:
- Lack of sufficient height on rear leg
- Minimal arch through upper spine
- Shoulders/hips remain square
Drills for Improvement: Open rounded upper spine/tight shoulders with back bend stretches. Practice stationary Arabesques before adding jump. Check dramatic lines in mirror. Film form.
Bringing It All Together
When individual jump mastery improves, begin seamlessly connecting different leap combinations together into eye-catching tumbling passes across the mat or stage. Blend basics with advanced jumps for maximum scoring potential and unique originality. Creative transitions between jumps showcase advanced technique.
To further enhance overall presentation quality, devote time towards amplifying expressiveness and stage presence during jump passes. Channel your inner actress to deliver facials and energy magnifying crowd engagement. Costumes, music mixes and lighting effects contribute additional flair too.
Finally, a critical factor allowing longer jump-dense routines involves underlying cardio respiratory endurance training enabling muscle stamina. Avoid lactic acid burnout halfway through performances! Incorporate HIIT, cycling or running with proper recovery between high-intensity cheer sessions.
Conclusion
Whether aspiring to lead crowds in spirited fandom or chasing competitive excellence, cheerleaders must prioritize properly honing aerial jumping abilities above all else. Dial down fundamentals first before working upward towards intermediate then higher-difficulty jumps for full show stopping potential. Connected combinations punctuated by stellar landings make routines truly shine. Match strength, flexibility and showmanship with extensive drills targeting both precision and height for superior jumping that soars beyond limits!