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With jumps there are very few rules to keep in mind. Be sure you are always prepared
to jump before you do so. Be stretched out before attempting any jump. Your stretching should always include your arms, inner
and outer thighs, calves, abdomen muscles, and lower back. Doing all of this will ensure you won't injure yourself further.
The Prep
A Prep should always be done before jumping. It
helps build the momentum needed to get your legs in the air where they should be. A bad prep will ultimately lead to a less
than perfect jump. Mock jumps should be done as practice and to get the feel of the prep and landing as well. Stand with legs
together and arms at your side. Bring the arms up into a High V motion then swing them around in front of your torso, crossing
over each other slightly. When arms are at their lowest point squat down a bit, using your knees to push, then simultaneously explode
using your arms and legs and then bend into whatever the motions are for jump you are doing.
The Landing
Always land a jump with feet and legs together and arms
at your side. Absorb the landing with you legs and toes. Be extra careful when landing a jump that you never lock you knees.
This could result in shockwaves of pain exploding thru your legs to your upper back. (Trust Me.)
Here are descriptions of all the jumps. Along with
how to do them, pictures, and animated pictures of some.
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Toe Touch- Do the Common Prep to get into this jump. Your arms will go into a T motion.
Use them to bring your legs into a straddle position, or if you can higher. Rotate your hips forward to "sit" into this
jump. Keep your legs straight with your knees pointing to the ceiling, your back straight, and point your toes. Don't reach
your arms to your legs, but rather your legs to your arms. Reach for your instep, not your toes.
Herkie- Do the Common Prep and bring your arms into a Number One motion. Lift front
leg straight out to the side with your knees facing up. Bend back legs foot towards your hip and face your knee towards
the ground. Keep your back straight, with toes pointed. Can be with right, or left leg.
Side Hurdler- Same front leg position as a Herkie Jump. Back leg is brought in next
to butt, and knee points forward with inner thigh facing ground. Arms go into a T motion. Keep your chest up, toes pointed,
and hands in fists. Can be with right, or left leg.
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| Animated Double Hook/Table Top |
Table Top/Double Hook- Arms go into a V motion. Back leg bends to touch butt.
Inner thigh faces ground. Knee faces forward. Front leg bends for foot to touch knee of the back leg. Outer thigh faces ground.
Keep your back straight, head up, and toes pointed.
Front Hurdler- Front Leg goes straight forward and does not bend. Knee in towards chest.
Back leg bends with knee facing straight down and foot toward butt. Can done with right or left leg. Point your toes, and
keep your head up. When performing this jump you should turn your body sideways, and your front leg should face the crowd.
Spread Eagle- Arms go into a V motion. Knees and toes face forward. Legs go a little
more than shoulder width apart. Do not rotate hips. Keep back straight, and point your toes.
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| Tuck |
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| Pike |
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| Double Nine |
Tuck- Arms go into a T motion. Both knees bend and come in towards chest while
feet come in front of hips. Back is kept straight and knees kept together. Point your toes.
Pike- Arms go into a Buckets motion. Both legs stay together and are brought straight
up parallel to the ground.
Double Nine- Front leg goes straight out parallel to ground. Other leg bends at a 90-degree
angle with outer part of knee and thigh facing the ground. Instep of foot touches the inner kneecap of the front leg. One
arm goes straight out, while the other bends, like the leg, and touches your fist to your straight arms elbow. Your arms,
and legs look like a 9. Can be with right or left leg. Bring your arms to your legs, and keep your toes pointed.
Jumps not pictured here.
Around the World- This jump combines the toe touch and the pike. First you go into
the pike position, then open and rotate your hips outward, and sit into them bringing yourself into the toe touch straddle
position. Arms go into Buckets position, then into a T motion. You must have a good pike, and toe touch to do this jump. Keep
your head up, and toes pointed.
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