Cheer Jumps Explained

Quick answer: cheer jumps are timed, technical jumps performed in the air with a specific leg and body shape - such as a toe touch, herkie or pike - usually performed in unison across the team.

The Core Jumps

A handful of jumps form the foundation of most cheer routines:

• Toe touch - a symmetrical jump with both legs extended out to the sides, toes pointed toward the hands.
• Herkie - an asymmetrical jump, with one leg extended to the side and the other bent behind.
• Hurdler - a jump with one leg extended forward and the other bent behind, resembling a hurdle position.
• Pike jump - both legs extended straight out in front of the body.
• Tuck jump - both knees drawn up toward the chest.
• Spread eagle - legs extended to the sides with the body facing forward, similar in shape to a toe touch but with the legs turned outward at the hip rather than the toes pointed toward the hands.

What Judges Look For

Judges are generally looking at jump height, leg and toe position, tightness of the shape, and - critically - how well the whole team hits the same jump at the same moment. A technically strong jump landed even slightly out of time with the team will still be marked down for synchronisation.

Single vs Connected Jumps

Jumps can be performed individually or connected into a jump sequence - for example a toe touch immediately followed by a pike jump - which is generally considered more difficult than a single jump alone.

Where Jumps Fit in a Routine

Most routines include a dedicated jump sequence, and jumps often also appear as connecting elements between stunts, tumbling and formation changes.