how can u make stretching for cheerleading a habit!?!?!?!?!?
365228
well i am a cheerleader and i stretch everyday if i can...you could start by stretching a little to kinda make your muscles used to being stretched and then gradually increase stretching everyday..soon you will want to stretch and it will be a good thing on helping you throughout the year in cheerleading..<3 much love
901748
First learn how to stretch properly.  Many people who stretch to gain flexibility to do the splits put to much stress on their hips and supporting ligiments.  Read up on some of Bill Wallace's articles on stretching and look into Tom Kurtz, he has an excellent program.  Also check to see if your body can actually do the splits.  Stand next to a table or counter the same height as your waist, put your leg out to the side foot forward and see if you can stand straight up, next to the same thing on the other side.  By doing this you will see if you have any bone structure or legiments that mind prevent you from achieving full splits.  Here is Kurtz's link to his website.\n\nhttp://www.stadion.com/column.html
322726
Oh! Yes! I love this! I've been cheerleading since 1st grade and I'm a pro. Pointers:\nthey look for awesome toetouches so PRACTICE\nTIGHT MOTIONS, pretend you are knocking down a brick wall\ngood voices, no high-pitched voices\nSMILE SMILE SMILE\nDon't slouch while you're waiting! Cheer stance! (Legs more than shoulder-width apart and hands and arms firmly places behind legs)\nBE LOUD BE PROUD and don't act like you're just in it for the uniform!\nGood Luck! Remember these and practice and you'll be a pro soon enough!
376526
try doing them on a strap bar (if you have one)...or on low bar with your coaches spot...to get used to the around the bar thing...then try moving up to the high bar...just remember to keep your elbows straight...because if you dont make it over..the worst that happens is you land on the other side..if you bend your elbows..well, just dont bend them...stay tight and believe in yourself. good luck!
680047
ur not felxible enough...stretch for 10-20 mins each day...it should help..and take ballet or jazz classes! they help too! i can do the splits!
368477
I am a tennis player and when stretching after a workout you should do static stretches and hold them for 20-30 seconds. Also before working out you should do a dynamic workout (where you are moving not standing still). If you want to know some dynamic stretches email me and i will see if i can find some online for you
847294
STRETCH!\n\nOdds are your coach will be putting you guys through the conditioning ringer over the next few weeks.\nYou will need to stretch for a few days prior as well as before your practices/try-outs.  Remember to stretch your neck...get on your toes and put your forehead on the ground (use your hands if you must take some of the weight off of your head).\nWhen in this "tripod" position, roll backwards, forwards, side to side, and all around.  I always remember my neck being the sorest after the first few practices...\n\nRemember...lifting weights is great and everything, but you can win a lot of matches with "slicks" that would mean using your brain...the best practice is getting out there and rollin' around with somebody for a while...preferably someone who is gonna whoop on you a bit and make you figure out what is and isn't working.\nGood luck!
399431
try stretching before and after, also doing a warm up and cool down
1056791
yea you should stretch as often as you can in a comfortable postition where you have slight tension but not pain..this sight has some tips http://health.ivillage.com/active/astretch/topics/0,,4vgg,00.html
748574
you should do basic stretches before any sports, but warm up first. som are\n-sitting and stsnding pike stretch\n-stretching your arms, accross your chest and over your head\n-butterfly\n-straddle sit, reach both sides, and middle\n-pretzel\n-quad stretch...\n\nlook it up on google, im sure youll find man stretches you can do
1163104
Practice, my dear friend. You, a ball, some open space, and some time.  And set yourself goals: try to improve how many consecutive juggles you complete; aim to juggle with a certain body part; stuff like that.
270840
hang upside down from a tree... it'll help alot... n lots of stretchin exercises too...
73330
Do lots of stretch exercises at least twice a day and drink lots of water.  8 glass per day.
703561
I coach a midget league cheer squad and applaud you for taking on this task.  \n\nFirst of all, you must get these little girls respect.  I do this by calling 3 to 4 practices per week with a 2-1/2 hour practice time frame.  With drink and restroom breaks, and the occassional talking etc, 2 -1/2 hours is not a very long time. Since we were cheering for the football team, our practices began August 1 and continued throughout the football season.  We practiced from 6:00pm-8:30pm until it began to get dark (then we moved it up one hour).  Another coach in our area does 5 days a week with 2 hours per practice.  Either way, the girls get about 10 hours of practice.\n\nRemember that respect is earned.  Don't expect these youngsters to do something that you aren't willing to do.  My girls and I begin our practice by running a complete lap of the football field and stopping to stretch.  Be sure to stretch the major muscle groups (like you did as a cheerleader).  After the stretch is complete, another lap....and that means everyone including the coach.\n\nAfter a quick drink, it will be time to learn and perfect the cheers and chants.  You didn't say whether these little ones had had any prior experience, and some may not have....so everyone should be patient while all of the girls catch on.\n\nBe sure that all of the girls know the basic cheer motions:  Hi-v, lo-v, T, half T, hi-touchdown, lo-touchdown, diagnals, candlesticks, buckets, etc.  I usually do these to Simon Says.  The girls love the game and it makes them learn to shap the movements sharply.\n\nthere are several sites that give cheers/chants etc.   But, we find it best to make them up on our own....or at least tailor the canned cheers to fit our team.\n\nAs for stunts, be sure that you are qualified to teach these little ones the proper methods for bases, flyers and spotters.  There are videos that you can buy that will teach you how to teach them how to do stunts correctly.\n\nJumps....this is an intrigal part of the cheer squad.  Work on Starting position and lift....we use a trampolline once a week to give the girls a little extra confidence.  Don't forget that most jumps rely on dexterity and muscle tone.  \n\nYou are the coach....you are not there to be miss goody two shoes.  If you see something that is not right, stop everyone and call attention to it.   Demand perfection....demand the best!  Let them know that you are being hard on them for their sake, and remember to praise them when they do well! You will not only get their best effort but their respect.\n\nWe end every practice with gymnastics.  We focus on cartwheels, roundoffs, back handsprings, and back- walkovers.  Again, be sure that you have the support you need to track these girls...and don't let them attempt something that they have not done.\n\nMost of all, have a good time....and good luck!
128701
strech as much as you can. Do it when you get up in the morning and whne you go to bed and dont push too much but do more than what you thought you could each day and then you are pretty much guarenteed to be more flexible.
292958
just stretch hard n it'll go i hv it everytime
1156891
It seems like you're doing fine, just do your stretching slowly and don't force your stretches. Don't forget forward splits asides from your side splits. You won't be able to kick correctly if your hamstrings aren't as stretched as your other muscles. Also practice kicking at a height where you can kick straight out and work your way up from there but never at full power unless you're hitting something or you can really hurt yourself. If you're kicking straight out and THEN bending your knee, then that's fine although you will also have to learn to kick and hold it straight out without bending your knees. Learn them slow for form and fast for actual practice but once again, NOT AT FULL POWER.  Speed comes first and power comes later, after you've learned to pivot on the balls of your feet and manipulate your waist.  Another exercise is sitting on the floor with your legs as far apart as they can go and stretching forward, trying to touch your forehead to the floor and to each of your knees. Plus sitting on the floor with your feet together, legs straight, and touching your head to your thighs. Also, try putting your foot up on a platform or an adjustable height bar and practice stretching both forward and sideways, always keeping your leg straight. When stretching, NEVER BEND YOUR KNEES. I wish you progress and advancement in your study of the arts.