I am a gymnast as well as a cheerleader... any good drills to get a higher toe touch??
400267
Just keep practicing your touches often during the day and they should eventually get better the more you practice. If you have a trampoline or access to one than practice on there.-Don't forget to stretch beforehand-it helps.
966534
Hey, I think everyone has had trouble with toe touches, but once you get them, you can never stop!\n\nThe problem people have with toe touches is this: They want to bring their hands to their feet, but their feet are really low which brings their toe touches DOWN.\nBring your feet up to your hands, keep your hands up! Also, make sure to keep your back upright ands straight as possible.\nPractice sitting in the toe touch position as much as you can, like while watching TV or doing homework. \n\nGood luck and have fun in cheerleading!
195766
U should go to your local cheerleading squad and ask for a private lesson to learn the basics so that when they say something like everyone show me ur Herky u will no what to do. I hope u take my advice and make the team!!!!
248535
Plyometrics is the answer.  The best way to jump higher is keep on jumping, but in a way that will work you out.  Here is a great site with animations:\n\nhttp://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/plyometric-training.html
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!
324363
The best way to improve is to practice routines over and over.  Also, don't forget the little stuff, point your toes, take all moves through to their conclusion, amplitude.  Stretching and conditioning are extremely important.\n\nI am a 36 year old former gymnast.  I trained for 15 years.  I didn't go far, but it was my passion.  I don't regret doing it, but I'm paying the price now.  I see a chiropractor at least once week and when I'm really hurting, 3 times a week.  I have alot of physical problems that are all caused by gymnastics.  I am in constant pain from the abuse that I heaped on my body.  I'm telling you this so that you can be informed.  No one told me that this could happen.  I'm not sure I would have believed, when I was 16, but it would have been nice to be told.  Good Luck.
300333
You need to go and support your friends. The more you are around the better. You can get them to give you tips and help you with your stunts and then next year you shouldn't have a bit of problem making the squad. You might want to enroll in a gymnastics class...then who knows..when you do try out next year you may be better than they are and they will see how much you have worked and that you are really serious about cheerleading. Another thing...If they are truly your friends then they won't abandon you.
510631
Run drills like these in these links \nhttp://www.coachesclipboard.net/VideoClips.html\n\nhttp://www.insidehoops.com/gym/index.shtml\n\nRemember dont expect a lot from your team just tell them to have fun to motivate them
750757
You need help on how to do back-bend kick overs? OK. I know that these take along time, I took longer on these than I did things like back handsprings and back tucks! Back bend kick overs are one of the most important things to know in gymnastics.\nMake sure you have a"spotter" to arch your back correctly and so you don't fall.\nGet in your back bend.\nStart to rock a little bit, that warms up your muscles. \nPush off the ground with the foot you AREN'T kicking over, have your spotter support the leg and help push it over.\nYou need strong arms and back to be able to do a back bend kick over, not so much with the legs. \nGood luck.
732238
Any floor excercises?!
65755
You haven't trained your muscles.  Keep working at it to get your muscles strong and you will eventually be able to do it.  \n\nI know someone who can actually control every single toe on his foot (another one I can't do, especially my pinky toe!  LOL!)
1056874
Im on the cheer team, and it's not as hard as it sounds. Don't let other people scare you.\n\nIf they have open gym type things, or open practices go to them! (They will teach you the basics so you get an idea of what you will be doing/how to do it) They will benefit you greatly! If the team your trying out for dosn't have them, look up a local gymnastics cheer gym/club, call them up and ask if they have anything where beginners can come and learn the ropes before tryouts.\n\nIf you don't check out something like that, then work on your flexibility now. Practice jumps (if you know the techniques..if you don't & you know someone on the team ask them to show you what to do...this is where those open practices come in handy!)\n\nWork on getting fit. You don't have to be in amazing shape to make cheer because they will get you in shape once your on the team, but it dosn't hurt to start getting your stamina/strength up now.\n\nIn tryouts, learn the dance & cheer and perfect it as much as possible. Even if you screw up in tryouts, just keep going. Don't stand there doing nothing, this will show the judges/coaches that you won't freeze on the mat during a competition or something & that you are resourceful. Do facials, or at the very least just smile! Make it look like you want to be there.\n\nKeep a positive attitude no matter what, and try your best. \n\nIf you can tumble or have cheer/dance experience this will help you in tryouts, but it's not neccisarry. I had no experience what so ever, and so did many people who made the team with me so no worries if you don't.\n\nIf you are interested in learning to tumble, once again call up those local gymnastics gyms and ask about open gyms/practices where you can go and learn. Being able to tumble will give you an advantage, but once again it is not neccisarry, so if your not comfortable flipping then don't sweat it!\n\nHonestly, if your really ambitious and show the judges/coaches that you truely want to be there and want to make cheer a part of your life then you should have no problem! No one is amazing their first time, so if you mess up don't worry. They will take into consideration you have no experience. Do your best & everything will work out!\n\nGood Luck :)
103474
I suggest stretching everyday.  You will need to do wall splits.  In cheerleading we used to do this before every practice...lay on the floor with your butt up against a wall, this will support your legs concentrating on the stretch.  let your legs fall to the sides as far as they will go and hold it as long as you can stand it up to 10 min.  The weight of your legs will create resistance.  Every time you do this you should notice a liitle more flexibility.  I would say it would take a couple of months doing this everyday to be able to do the splits.
467028
if you can practice on a sping floor... it like the floor that you compete on if your in cheer or gymnastics\npeace&&love♥\nOCwahine
360472
try working on your abs, this will allow you to get your legs up higher...maybe try jumping on a trampoline also. it doesnt have to be big, i have a small one and my jumps have improved a lot! also work on arm strength for the back handspring..just work hard at it! and once you get it you'll have it. just practice. trust me! :) k well i hope it helps.
617574
try tying some light weights to your ankles & wear them when you exercise. you'll be jumping higher in no time flat!
449551
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