Cheerleading Preparation

 

Plank/Superman

Lay flat on your stomach. With your elbows proped up, rise up on your toes. Keep shoulders, back, and legs in a straight line. Hold for 30 seconds.

Russian Sit Ups

Lay on the floor on your back. Keep your legs straight, toes pointed, with feet slightly off the floor. Hands should be on the floor above your head in fists. Sit up. As you sit up, pull your legs off the floor about 6 inches high into a "V" shape. Your hands should come in between your thighs. Return to the position you started, without letting your feet touch the ground, still 6 inches off the floor. Do about 20 of these.

Splits

Middle Split: Slide your legs apart, feet pointed as far as you can. Hold for 15 seconds.
Right Split: Shift your body so that your right leg is in front of you, with the front of your leg facing forward.
Left Split: Rotate your body so you are doing the same as your right, but with opposite leg.

Bridge/Backbend

Lie on your back with your legs drawn up to your butt and your feet flat on the ground. Bend your arms comfortably so that your hands are above your shoulders. Raise your elbows so they are pointing straight up and place your palms on the ground. The bottom of your palms should be next to your ears, your fingers pointing towards your body. Using your legs, push your hips off the floor. Then, using your arms, push the rest of your body off the floor. This should be one fluid movement. Tilt your head back so you are looking at your hands. If you are still learning how to do a bridge, raise your heels so you are balanced on the balls of your feet. If you want more of a stretch, leave your feet on the floor. Bend your knees so the back of your head gently touches the floor. Lower the rest of your body by bending your knees all the way. Gently roll your arms out of the bridge. Hold for about 20 seconds.

Pike/Straddle Stretches

Pike: With your feet and legs together and straight in front of you, reach toward your feet as far as you can. Keep toes pointed and knees straight!
Straddle: With your legs wide apart and feet pointed, lean to your right side, reaching for your feet, with body over your leg, and straight knee. Repeat with left side. Then, do the same thing, but instead of reaching with both arms, put your right shoulder beside your thigh and reach with your left arm. Repeat with left leg. Finally, sit with legs apart, and lean as far as you can toward the floor.
Hold each for about 20 seconds.