A cleaner jump will make you stand out! It will also get you a better score at tryouts and put you up front in the routines.  Here are some ways to clean up your jumps.

1.) Presentation - Make your first impression a good one when starting your jump. Start with your feet together, your hands on hips, chest and head up. Avoid things such as slouching, looking down, cocked hips, and legs apart.

2.) Straight your legs - Keep your legs straight after you jump off the ground, and into the jump (unless the jump requires your leg to be bent). Many cheerleaders have a tendency to bend their legs as they do the skill because they do not have the flexibility, and on the way down because they are trying to get their feet together. Make sure you work on exercises to increase your height as well as your snap (speed) to give you enough time to execute your jump.

3.) Point your toes - An added touch that will distinguish a good jump from bad is the pointing of the toes. It is one of the easiest things to correct, but even some of the best jumpers forget and flex their feet.

4.) Watch your motion - It needs to be sharp and should never touch your legs/feet/toes at any time. When doing jumps such as toe touches, your legs need to kick behind the motion to make them look higher.

5.) Watch your jump placement - This includes motion placement, leg placement, hip placement, etc. Concentrate on your technique as much as possible.

6.) Keep your chest up - Try not to lean into your jump, instead keep your chest up. It will make your jumps look higher.

7.) Keep your head up - By keeping your head up it will help keep your chest up. It shows you have confidence in your jump and will make your jumps look higher.

8.) Watch your wrists - Just make sure your wrists are straight NOT bent.

9.) Land with your feet together - Landing with your feet together can be a difficult thing to perfect, even if you are hitting an amazing jump. The key is speed and being able to snap your feet down right away after you hit your jump. Practice by lying on your back and snapping your legs down. This will help increase your speed and assist for a perfect finish of your jump.

10.) Squeeze your landing - After you land your jump, try not to jump up right away. You should squeeze and hold your landing to show everyone that you landed it perfectly.