Expert: Tessa Denen - 8/10/2009

Question
i'm on the cheerleading squad, and i'm a flyer.i had cheerleading camp this past week. i'm in middle school but the jv squad did camp.we were doing elevators not full extension(i was lucky about that).they tried 2 get me 2 do the basket and a cradle.i got the basket, but i was kinda afraid 2 do the cradle.they tried 2 explain it 2 me but i didn't understand it.(eeek)     please give some tips,maddi   p.s. thanks a bunch

Answer
The good news for you is that once you get the cradle, it's the easiest dismount, it is just a matter of practicing over and over.  Here are a few key things to remember while cradling:

1.)  NEVER JUMP OUT OF YOUR BASES HANDS!  This is the number one problem with girls who are new to cradling.  They hear the backspot call for the cradle and they jump out to cradle.  As the climber, be sure not to move until you feel that you are floating.  If you jump out, you are throwing the bases hands away from the direction they need to be going.

2.)  STAY TIGHT!  It is very important that you bring your legs together and stay incredibly tight throughout the entire dismount.  If you are loose and have limbs flying everywhere, then it makes the bases job of catching you much harder.

3.)  CATCH YOURSELF!  When you land in the cradle position, you should have an arm wrapped around each of your bases shoulders, holding yourself up.  

4.)  BEND!  Be sure to bend at your waist when learning to cradle.  At first, think about bringing your legs into a pike parallel to the ground (only after they have tossed you, no jumping!).  Coming down straight, feet first, makes the bases job of catching you impossible.  

Don't worry about all of the fancy things to come later.  Just get yourself comfortable with the motion of cradling.  You can make it look beautiful later.  Don't get frustrated with yourself.  It takes time.  It's normal to be nervous.  The only way to get un-nervous is to go for it!  I promise you, it is so much fun after you are used to it!:)

Good luck!!!!