Expert: James - 3/2/2008

Question
Hi, my name is Harley, and I am 12 yrs. old, and next year I will be trying out for the cheer leading squad. I have seen all the cheer leaders on our home squad, and they do the splits all the time! There is about 2 or 3 people that can't do the splits, and they just stand up. I don't want to be that person. I want to be the person doing the stunts. I am wondering how to actually do exercises that help me do the splits, and to see if I can be a stunt girl. When I try to do the splits I can go until there is about 10 inches between my body and the ground. I really want to work hard, so anything you throw at me I will do. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!

Answer
Do any and all stretches that helps your flexibility. Do ALOT of saddle stretches. As well as continue to do splits and without hurting yourself keep trying to go down further every week or couple of weeks as you get more flexible. Do stretches (like a heel stretch) against a wall where you're standing and put your leg up. And also (because honestly i'm a guy so i just know what my female partners have done because i do not do splits)just ask some of the girls on the squad for other pointers as well. Good luck.