Leaps and Bounds

Along with stunts, cheerleading jumps are what make the sport fun and exciting to watch. Even the most basic cheerleading jumps require a great deal of strength and agility. One of the best ways for a cheerleader to stay in shape for cheerleading jumps is to do abdominal crunches every day, because stronger abdominal muscles result in higher leg lifts and jumps. This is especially useful for jumps that involve the pike position. To increase leg strength for jumps, cheerleaders should run up and down stairs for at least 10 minutes everyday.

It's also important for cheerleaders to practice the springing motion of the jump everyday. Encourage all members of the squad to tape a piece of masking tape on the wall as high as they can reach and jump up 50 times touching the wall with the left hand above the tape and 50 times with the right hand.

Proper Jumping Procedure

Before learning any cheerleading jumps, it's important to master the basics of jumping. The preparation of the jump is the work that goes on before the jump to build the momentum that makes it possible. Cheerleading jumps are divided into 3 or 4 steps, depending on the instructor, and are always performed in an 8-count.

On count 1, the cheerleader should contract their muscles tightly, keeping their legs straight, their feet together, and their hands clasped together at chest level. This ready position should be held through count 2. On count 3, each cheerleader comes up on their tip toes and brings their arms above their heads in a V position, making a fist with each hand. This position should be held through count 4.

The jump takes place on counts 5 and 6. On count 5, the cheerleader bends their knees and swings their arms down in front of them using all their strength. The body moves slightly forward as the arms cross between the elbow and wrist at the cheerleader's abdomen or upper thighs. Count 6 is when the cheerleader leaps into the arm and moves to attain the desired position for the jump.

Finally, counts 7 and 8 encompass the landing of the jump. Proper landing when jumping is essential to reduce the risk of injury. On count 7 the cheerleader should bring their legs down to the ground, landing on the balls of their feet. The feet are to be together for the landing with the knees bent in order to absorb some of the shock of the landing. A slight forward bend helps the cheerleader keep their balance when landing. Bring the arms down to the sides with the palms facing the body. Hold this position for count 8 and the jumping process is complete!

Toe Touches, Tucks and Pikes

Some of the most common jumps in cheerleading are the toe touch, the tuck, and the pike. Despite its name, the toe touch does not involve any touching of toes in midair. Rather, the cheerleader springs into the air with the legs straight out, parallel to the ground. The arms are held out in a T-shape.

For the tuck jump, the cheerleader brings their legs up into their chest so that their thighs are parallel to the ground. The pike is one of the most difficult jumps in cheerleading. For the pike jump the legs are straight out with the knees locked like a right angle. The arms are pointed straight out towards the toes.