Every cheerleading jump follows the same five part pattern: a prep, an arm whip that powers you off the floor, a push through the toes, the jump shape at the peak and a clean landing with feet together. Beginners should learn this pattern with a simple tuck or spread eagle first, then move on to harder shapes such as the herkie, pike and toe touch. Height comes from the whip and the push; shape comes from flexibility and strength; a good landing makes the whole jump look finished.
The basic jump pattern
Coaches teach jumps on counts so the whole squad moves together. The exact counts vary between programs, but most follow this sequence.
| Phase | What happens | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Prep | Feet together, arms in a high V, then a clasp in front of the chest | Stand tall and rise slightly onto the balls of the feet |
| Whip | Arms circle down and back up as the knees bend | A fast, full whip creates upward momentum |
| Lift off | Drive through the floor and push off the toes | Extend the ankles fully |
| Shape | Hit the jump position at the highest point | Lift the legs to you, keep the chest up |
| Land | Snap the feet together and bend the knees | Land softly and finish with arms in position |
How to do a cheer jump step by step
- Stand ready. Feet together, weight on the balls of the feet, shoulders back and chin up.
- Hit the prep. Raise your arms to a high V, then bring them down into a clasp in front of your chest.
- Start the whip. Swing your arms down past your hips and back up in a circle while bending your knees deeply.
- Jump. As your arms come up, push hard through the floor and off your toes.
- Hit the shape. At the top, bring your legs into the jump position while your arms hit their motion, often a T or high V.
- Snap down. Quickly bring your legs back together under you.
- Land. Touch down with feet together and knees bent, then finish in a clean position such as arms at your sides or in a clasp.
Main cheerleading jumps
| Jump | Shape | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Tuck | Knees pulled up to the chest | Beginner |
| Spread eagle | Arms and legs in an X, legs straight down and out | Beginner |
| Herkie | One leg straight out to the side, the other bent underneath | Beginner to intermediate |
| Hurdler | One leg straight in front, the other bent to the side or back | Intermediate |
| Pike | Both legs straight together in front of the body | Intermediate to advanced |
| Toe touch | Straddle with legs to the sides, arms in a T | Intermediate to advanced |
| Double nine | One leg straight up in front, the other bent at the knee | Intermediate |
Names and exact positions can vary a little between programs. The herkie, for example, is named after Lawrence Herkimer, an early leader in cheerleading who helped popularize organized cheer camps. Always learn your squad’s version so everyone matches.
Which jump to learn first
The tuck and spread eagle are the usual starting points because they need less flexibility and let you focus on the prep, whip, push and landing. Once you can land those consistently with good height, the herkie is a natural next step because it introduces a straight leg lifted to the side. The hurdler and double nine build on that, and the pike and toe touch usually come last because they demand the most flexibility and hip flexor strength.
How to get more height
Height comes mostly from technique and leg power. Focus on a deep knee bend, a fast and full arm whip, and a strong push through the toes. Keep your chest up throughout. Strength work such as squat jumps, tuck jumps, calf raises and core exercises builds on that technique over time. Many athletes find their jumps improve quickly once they stop dropping their chest and start lifting their legs up to meet their arms.
Drills for beginners
- Arm whip practice. Stand still and practice the prep and whip on counts until it feels smooth and fast.
- Whip and hop. Add a small jump with feet together to connect the whip to the takeoff.
- Tuck jump sets. Three sets of 5 tuck jumps with full rest, focusing on height and landing.
- Landing drill. Jump lightly and practice snapping the feet together with soft knees.
- Seated leg lifts. Sit with legs straight and lift them briefly to build hip flexor strength for advanced jumps.
- Mirror or video checks. Film your jumps from the front and side to check chest position, legs and arms.
Warming up for jumps
Jumps are explosive, so never start cold. A good warm-up takes about 10 minutes. Begin with light cardio such as jogging, jumping jacks or skipping rope to raise your heart rate. Then move through dynamic stretches: leg swings forward and to the side, walking lunges, high knees, butt kicks and hip circles. Finish with a few easy jumps at half effort, focusing on the prep and landing, before building to full height. Save long static stretches for the end of practice, when your muscles are warm and ready to work on flexibility.
Jumps in routines and at tryouts
In routines, jumps are often performed in sequences, such as a toe touch followed immediately by a pike or herkie. Linking jumps requires a quick, controlled landing and an efficient rebound so the second jump keeps its height. Squads also need to hit jumps in perfect sync, so everyone uses the same prep counts and arm motions.
At tryouts, judges usually score height, leg position, pointed toes, arm placement, chest position and landing. A clean jump with slightly less height often scores better than a higher jump with bent knees, a dropped chest or a messy landing. Practice your jumps in the exact counts and order your tryout requires, and film yourself so you can fix small details before the day.
Common jump mistakes
- Skipping the prep or rushing the counts.
- A small, slow arm whip that adds no lift.
- Shallow knee bend before takeoff.
- Dropping the chest toward the legs.
- Bent knees or flexed feet in the air.
- Landing with feet apart or straight, locked knees.
- Doing too many jumps when tired, which leads to sloppy form.
Health note
Health note: jumps put repeated stress on the knees, ankles, hips and lower back. Warm up before jumping, land softly with bent knees, build volume gradually and practice on a suitable surface such as a sprung floor or mat. Stop and talk to a coach or health professional if you feel sharp or lasting pain.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest cheer jump?
The tuck jump and the spread eagle are usually the easiest because they need less flexibility. They are great for learning the prep, arm whip and landing.
How do I stop landing with my feet apart?
Focus on snapping your legs together quickly after the peak of the jump. Practicing small jumps with a deliberate snap down helps build the habit.
How long does it take to learn cheer jumps?
Basic jumps can be learned in a few sessions, but getting height and clean shape usually takes weeks or months of regular practice and strength work.
