I am having a little trouble with my back handspring for cheerleading. Do you have any suggestions?
206210
get someone to show u a good bhs (back hand spring) and then get people to spot u on it then when you feel comfterble with a spot then just remeber to push through your toes and keep your arms straight.and sit back
11515
Okay, I was a cheerleader.  My squad wasn't great, but I have a little bit of experience.  First off, try this website http://www.mspineapple.com/tryouts.html .\n\nStretch for the splits.  Go as far down into the splits position as you can and sit there for a minute or two.  Repeat for each type of splits.  Also, do straddle stretches (where you sit with your legs apart and bend down.  Try to touch your stomach to the floor.\n\nPractice jumps.  Toe-touches, herkies, hurdlers, etc.  I think hurdlers are easier than toe-touches, but that's me.\n\nUm, about memorizing dances: practice.  If you can get whatever song it is you're supposed to dance to, practice at home.  All you can do is practice.  I stink at memorizing dances, but I got it down as long as I practised.\n\nAnd, to mellogirl89: I don't appreciate your comments.  Yes, many cheerleaders are obnoxious, but my entirew squad wasn't and I'm not.  And I'm not just saying that.  People are always surprised when I say that I was a cheerleader.
443963
YES, YES, BROOKE, OF COURSE YOU CAN. Don't let these people get you down, who, more  than likely have never done cheerleading in their life! Varsity requires many stunts such as back handsprings, do not despair, JV does not require it. In some schools, maybe, but not normally.\n\nPractice really hard and don't give up! Have fun!
608862
keep practicing your hand skills by throwing the ball up and catching it. the more you do it the more you will get use to it. trust me 94 all-city wr speaking here. it worked for me. try to keep it simple as well! good luck and don't give up!
564456
Try going to some open gym classes at a gymnastics plce and they could help you\n concentrate on it! \nMake sure to spot \nGet used to doing backbends\nmaybe start w/ backwalkovers and pick up the speed until it becomes a backhandspring\nHope it all works out for you!
173352
what u do is you lay on your back and kinda bring your knees up to your chest then you rock back and forth.  when your ready you roll up on your shoulders and as your coming back down you kick forward and jump.  you should only have to use your hands you catch your self if you dont jump up all the way and you start to fall back.  good luck!
80475
don't listen to the girl who told you you need to take ballet lessons. cheerleaders aren't supposed to turn their leg out. she obviously doesn't know anything about cheerleading. if you turned your leg out in a stunt you'd fall.\n\njust keep stretching. every time pull a little bit higher. and have your mom or someone help you stretch. you pull your scorpion and then they sort of "hug" around your stomach and your leg and try to pull your leg up and closer to your body.\n\nit won't happen overnight. be patient. and it's not gonna be painless either. just the truth.
409354
i and 14 years old and can do my backhandspring, back tuck, front handspring front tuck, lay out, and i just got my full! i have been a cheerleader all of my life! well first get a spot cuz it is kinda hard without it for ur first time!
374657
At my school, it's about who you know, not what you know.  You have to be able to do a roundoff backhand spring and be a good cheerleader.  Stiff, loud, smile.
348796
Okay...backhandspring. First off when your standing on the floor you always want to bend your knees just a bit, thats what i do. Stick your arms out. Then swing your arms back then up and arch your back. If you jump high enough your legs will be able to get over your head, and always keep your arms straight don't bend them. Im bad at explaining sorry... Good luck though for level 4!
31671
I would assume by your screen name and your problem, that you are a woman. This is a common problem with women because our wrists just aren't as strong as mens. This is something men just don't understand because they don't have the problem! No offense. It's just us girls still are weaker. I struggled with throwing a backup ball for quite some time, but finally rid myself of it. Now I throw a powerful hook and average 185+. I would strongly suggest you working out of that backup and working into a straight ball or a slight curve. The biggest thing you need to remember is to keep your wrist straight. Everytime you release the ball, bring your arm up, as if you were reaching out to shake hands with the pins. This is the proper release. You might want to wear a brace to help keep your arm & wrist straight, but I don't like to push it because they are too easy to become dependant upon. \n\nGood luck and many strikes to you!
301114
It may just be that your voice is changing, but if not, don't yell from your throat, yell from your diaphragm. That is how cheerleaders sound all together at competitions (if you've ever been to one).  You'll know you're yelling from your diaphragm and not your throat if you can feel your stomach muscles tightening. Also, try laying on your back and practicing that. Your voice will sound deeper, but that's a good thing for cheerleading.
502724
Your friends should support you, and if they don't, they aren't real friends and forget them.\n\nAnyway!\n\nYou need stunts like back handsprings, front handsprings, front and back tucks, cartwheels and round offs, aerials...\nYou need jumps like herkies, toe touches (doubles too) or spread eagles, pikes...\nAsk current and/or previous cheerleaders what is expected, and also check with the coach for any questions you have.\n\nBefore you do anything I am about to tell you, STRETCH. Stretch after as well, we don't want injury, or you definitely won't make the team!\nTo get that find a good gymnastics place in your area. Start working once a week in a class, and move up. Tell them your goals and they will help you along.\nIf you aren't running, START. You need to be able to run AT LEAST a mile without getting tired. Start out just running around the block if you want. Move up to 1/2 mile, mile, mile and 1/2. Pace yourself, we have a while to work, and make sure you always have water, don't wear yourself out. \nYou need strong arms to support people, start lifting some weights. 2-3 pound weight is good, 10 15 reps every other day, you'll start to add muscle. Do push ups too. \nStrengthen your core, sit ups and crunches, those will help your stunts and jumps.\n\nFor the actual TRYOUTS...\nBe fit, on time and enthusiastic. Be prepared and alert to follow instructions.\nKeep a positive attitude. Always have a smile on your face! \nListen to your captain/instructor.\nDon't be late for ANYTHING.\nBe sure to stretch real good before and after tryouts. Don't attempt moves unless you already know them or have trained for them. It will cause injury and annoy other team mates. \n\nGood luck!
548989
try hand grips or other exersices then make you use your wrists. also you could try rock climbing.
202307
Tips on Making Your Motions Sharp and Snappy.\nWhat makes a good Cheerleader into a great Cheerleader? Why do some people make it at tryouts and others don't? When you're watching that awesome squad on TV, what makes them stand out and look like a picture of perfection? Well, mostly these questions can be answered with "they know the basics." Sure, a terrific jump or stunt might wow a crowd, but when you're careless or lazy in your fundamental Cheerleading skills like motions, you're sure to lose points on any judging sheet. \n\nMotions are one of the basic foundations of Cheerleading and a essential skill all Cheerleaders should master and more importantly keep mastered. So, whether you're a beginning Cheerleader just learning or an experienced one whose picked up some sloppy habits, get back to the basics, follow these tips and put the magic in your motions. \n\nSponsored Links\nCheerleading Secrets\nBe Successful as a Cheerleader Make the Squad Every Time\nCheerleadingSecrets.Net\n\nKids Cheerleading classes\nJoin our team - 7 Tampa locations! Cheer & tumble ages 4 & up $20mo\nExtremeYouthSports.com\n\nCheerleading Moves\nGreat deals on Cheerleading Moves Shop on eBay and Save!\nwww.eBay.com\nTips on Motions: \n\nSharp 'n Snappy - We've probably all heard this before when referring to motions, but what does it truly mean. It means your arms should be stiff and your muscles tight. Your transitions should be smooth, snappy and quick. You should punch your motions out with a lot of strength. \nNever bend your wrists - Your wrists should never be bent, cocked or out of alignment with your arms. \nElbows - If you're in an extended motion, your elbows should be locked. \nArm placement - Your arms should always be slightly in front of you and level. Know exactly where the spot is to hit a motion and don't settle for anything else than that spot. Again, keep your arms stiff and muscles tight. Don't let your arms bounce or jiggle. \nShoulders - Your shoulders should be relaxed and not raised up like in a shrug. \nFists - Know in what direction your fist should be facing (Examples: In a High V your thumbs should be facing towards the crowd. In a Touchdown your thumbs should be facing away from the crowd). Always keep your thumb outside your fist. Here's a good link for fist directions on some of the most common motions. If ever in doubt, ask your coach. \nTransition -Take the shortest distance to the next motion and wait until the last second to make it. Move quickly and precisely. \nSynchronize your motions - Your motions should correspond with the syllables of the words in your cheer/chant or the count of your dance routines and stunts. \nThe clap or clasp motion - This simple motion is often overlooked. Your hands should be under your chin, your elbows in tightly and your fingers close together. It should look clean and neat. \nKeep. \nExercises to Improve Your Motions: \n\nArm Strengthening - Do arm strengthening exercises like push ups and weight lifting. They offer some great ways to improve the strength in your arms and shoulders. Good motions are made with strong arms. \nHit your motions quickly - Then hold it for about 30 seconds as tight as you can. One tip in the forum also mentions tightening your butt muscles when you do this. As that will tighten your other muscles. \nWork in front of a mirror or video yourself - Stand in front of a mirror and watch as you hit your motions. Look for arm position, fist position and any extra unnecessary movements. Then close your eyes and hit the motion again. Open your eyes and look in the mirror to see how you did. \nEven when practicing other things, be sure you're completing your motions. Don't get lazy and halfway do them. Always complete each motion to the end. \nPractice with your squad - Coordinate your motions and make sure you're doing them in unison. \nMost motions have an opposite or reverse corresponding motio
234363
First, make sure you've got a spot when you are doing this.  My coach would make a noise (ex. Clap, or yell Twist or Now) when it was time for me to start turning.  I had the same problem you had for a long time! Make sure when you are twisting that your hips are twisting.  It can't just be an upper body motion. Make sure you throw your hips too.  Also, don't start looking for the ground too early.  If your head stops "looking" with the rotation, your body will stop rotating.  How are you throwing your arms to activate the full?  There are many many ways to do it, such as, when I started, I always kept my right arm straight in the air by my head, threw my left arm to my right hip, and turned my head into my right arm, so that I was basically looking through my armpit.  Some coaches want both arms thrown, so I did left arm to right hip, right arm to middle of my back, and head to the right. However your coach has you doing it, make sure that you are not unwrapping too soon.  If you unwrap your arms too soon, it will stop your rotation, just like if you stop looking with your head. Last thing.  Don't let your mind freak you out.  Yes, you are doing a full rotation while you are upside-down, but this is a huge accomplishment!  Don't think of the magnitude of the skill, think of the fact that you are doing so well! Good luck and let me know if you need anything else!
214587
Alright..first you need to address the problem. What's wrong with your serve??\nIf it makes it to the net but not over, then your toss probably isn't high enough or your not putting enough power into it. If it's just going crazy, then try hitting it differently(if you hit open hand try closed, if you hit closed try open) Personally I would reccommend serving open hand. One thing that is really important is that you make sure you have enough power. Try lifting wieghts or doing push ups(ick I know) Other than that just make sure you follow through with your form and stuff. Make sure your hand is back, you have the right foot forward, and then just toss, step, swing. If you let me know more details I may be able to help more. Just remember the basics, and practice makes perfect. Good Luck!!!