Expert: Kiki Quach - 1/11/2007

Question
Hey! I noticed you were a great jumper from your profile, and I thought you'd be the best person to ask this question.

My toe-touches are not so great.
I am on the freshmen squad, so I am on the youngest cheer squad in my little town. Most of us have a toe-touch nailed and looking good. But I am not so sure about mine.

I ask the older cheerleaders to watch and give me advice, but they all give the general "Back-straight, toes pointed" speech.

I really want to be a great jumper. I can only get about 3 feet off the ground, and I just try to point my toes out to the side... And my legs can't seem to kick out high either.

So here is my question really:
For a semi-beginner at jumps, what are the best ways to get my jumps higher and what are some techniques and stretches that can help me get a beautiful jump?

I tried the stretches the JV squad does, but I don't know. I want to have pretty toe-touches, and so far they are not going anywhere.

I really want to make JV next year, and to make JV, pretty toe-touches are a must!

Thanks for your time~

Answer
Hey.
I can always tell you the "back straight, toes pointed" speech as well, but there are more than that, too.

You do always want to stretch before you jump and getting a good stretch will help with other things as well. Just do regular stretches, but try to get a little further than you can normally do.

When you want to get your jumps higher, you should work your calf muscles. Those are the ones you use for jumps. Calf raises are good for them. You stand flat on the ground and then raise yourself onto your toes and then come back down to the ground. You should also do some squats and lunges. Even stationary ones will help you work the muscles in your legs. Or go to the gym and use the machines. You can always ask one of the workers who what can work your leg muscles.

Also, for a jump you need to make sure you keep your legs straight and point your toes, but your prep is one of the most important parts. The prep that my squad uses is:

5, 6, 7
8 - clasp
1 - high V
2 - relevate (raise up) onto your toes
3 - swing around (regular prep)
4 - hit the jump
5 - land
6 - hold
7 - up/clean
8 - end/repeat

Make sure each motion is tight and strong because if you don't hit everything strong and it's weak, the rest will follow suit.

Make sure you hit your T VERY HARD when you jump because you will get a lot more air that way and also tuck your butt under you a bit when you're whipping your legs upwards into the toe touch.

You just have to practice a lot and don't worry so much about your legs. If you keep a good form and you make sure you land with your legs together, your legs will get there soon enough.

Hope this helps!

Love always, Kiki Quach