Expert: Katlin - 1/18/2007

Question
kk.. this is my first yr cheering and i have a few problems.. the one that i want to ask the most is about my jumps.. i have read some things and they tell you to sit in your jumps.. what exactly does that mean.. and my coaches tell me that i lean my chest forward.. is there anyway possible to stop that..? 2nd of all.. about a week ago we were showing off to each other with our stretches.. lol.. and the coach came over and started pulling on me.. which is good .. cuz it helps alot.. but when i was doing my bow-and-arow she pulled my leg back and my hip cracked or popped and now my like butt yes my butt bone/muscle hurts.. my dr. said that i just pulled a muscle or what not and to stretch it out.. my coaches tryed to stretch me and they did.. but nothing seems to get that muscle.. but one stretch ... and it helps only a little.. the stretch is sitting on the floor and crossing one leg over the other.. and like pulling it tords you.. sorry kinda hard to explain.. they say I'm just to flexible..
the last thing is that i have a really pretty round off... and i have power in my back handspring.. but i cant get it by myself.. i always twist my hips.. and when i do a round off back hand spring i go for a tuck.. forget to put my hands down.. i don't land on my head.. but i have one spot.. so that helps.. but it seems no matter how hard i try to focus on my hands i cant get them to go..
any suggestions? thanks so much!!!
&hearts!
Ashley!

Answer
Heyy Ashley!
    Sitting in your jumps is a common term the easiest way to explain this is when you are sitting sort of in a straddle that is stiiting out . . . You want to bring your legs more up and out rather than straight out!  To not lean your chest forward try looking at something straight out in front of you or a little higher.
    Having a pulled muscle just takes time to heal . . . you need to let it heal before you start making it stretch all the way where you normmaly have it because this will just cause more injury to you . . . YOu never want that.
   Now for your tumbling . . . some of not getting your backhandspring may be somewhat mental.  Try having a "comfort" spot . . . someone that is there just in case but isn't really there to necisarily "help" you . . .
   LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES!!!  KEEP ME POSTED ON HOW YOU ARE DOING!!!
Sincerly,
   Katlin <3