A clean jump comes from the approach, not the air. Three steps build it.

Equipment needed: Mat space.

Setup: Cheerleader in a starting stance.

How to run it:

  1. Step 1 — Arms. Practice the arm motion alone: clasp at chest, swing down and around, finish in T position. Five reps.
  2. Step 2 — Prep dip. Add a knee bend (the dip) before the jump. Don’t actually jump yet. Five reps of dip + arm swing.
  3. Step 3 — Full jump. Dip, swing arms, jump, toe-touch in the air. Land in a clean stance. Five reps.

What to look for: Arms hit T at the peak of the jump, not before or after. Knees lock in the toe-touch position — no soft legs.

Variation: Film the jump from the side and review with the kid. Most flaws (early arms, soft toes) only show on tape.