Expert: Nicole - 5/30/2009

Question
hi i'm a flyer on my cheer team and i need some help with cradles. i guess i don't ride them up enough and i need to work on my arch. i keep trying buy i'm not improving that much. Any tips?

Answer
Cat,

The best thing you can do is to just think every time you are about to cradle to RIDE IT UP! Keep legs straight and locked, then when your bases pop you you need to flick off their hands with your toes straight up and VERY tight. Shrug your shoulders up and ive it all you've got to really think about pulling up as high as you can go. The arch will automatically be perfected the higher you ride your cradle because it gives you more time to get the arch just right.

If you are really still having trouble after these tips, you may want to think about enrolling in a stunting or flyer class at a local all-star gym. The coaches really know how to make perfect cradles and you will have extra practice on fantastic stunt groups.

Cheers! Nicole