Drills to Improve Cheer Jumps

One of the toughest things for cheerleaders to perfect is their jumps. There are many drills that cheerleaders can practice on a daily basis to help them get high, stiff and perfect jumps. These drills should always be done with a coach or other athletes to ensure that everyone is practicing safe, effective cheerleading drills.

  1. Approach Drill

    • For a beginner cheerleader, the approach drill is a perfect drill to practice in order to improve jumps. In this drill, a cheerleader begins by putting her arms in a high V, keeping them straight and tight. Then, she crosses her arms in front of her body to make a T motion, all while elevating onto her toes. This mimics a jump without actually jumping, and it helps cheerleaders to perfect body motions before learning how to jump into the air.

    Leg Explosions

    • Leg Explosions are a drill that help cheerleaders strengthen their leg muscles as well as their jumping power. In this drill, cheerleaders keep their legs together and bend their knees to a 90 degree angle. Then, the cheerleaders must jump into the air without using their arms, and upon returning to the ground, absorb the jump with their legs. The drill must then be repeated. This will help cheerleaders improve their height and grace with jumps.

    Sitting Toe Touches

    • This drill is a mock toe touch jump that is performed sitting down, and helps cheerleaders perfect their balance. The cheerleader should begin sitting on the floor in the tuck position, then quickly bring herself into the toe touch position while maintaining balance and a straight back. The cheerleader should not hold the position for long, and should quickly return back to the sitting tuck position. This drill increases strength and emphasizes the proper techniques for a toe touch jump.

    Straddle Lifts

    • This drill is specifically designed to help improve the hip flexors. The cheerleader should begin by sitting in the straddle position, and then placing her hands on the floor in front of her, on an imaginary line between her two legs. Then, she should lift one leg up keeping it straight for about 10 seconds. Put that leg down, and switch to the other leg for another 10 seconds. The cheerleader should be sure not to lean back, as this is not an ab work out but a hip workout. This exercise should be done with caution and not overdone, as the hip flexors are rarely worked out in other drills.