Jump lines are cheer drills that stress rhythm, teamwork and specificity while building the cheerers' lower-body strength and agility. Jump lines come in two varieties: one in which the participants critique each other and another in which they rapidly take turns presenting different jumps. Each drill is performed to music.
Peer Critique
In the first jump line variation, four cheerleaders line up in a row. The one at the front of the line observes the next cheerleader as she performs a jump five times. The observing cheerleader critiques the jumper and then goes to the back of the line. The jumper assumes the critiquing position and observes as the next cheerleader performs the same set of jumps. When all the participants have jumped and the first jumper is back in her initial position, she executes a different jump, and the whole process repeats.
Purposes of Peer Critiques
This drill requires each cheerleader to perform multiple jumps in a row, which conditions their lower bodies and cardiovascular systems. Because the cheerleaders perform individually, the observing team member is able to give her full attention to the person she is critiquing. Therefore, each participant is likely to receive a careful and specific critique. They each also have the opportunity to observe and comment on another team member's performance. They can then consider the notes they gave to their teammates and apply them to their own work.
Display Line
In the second jump line variation, the cheerleaders line up in three or four rows, as if to run a relay race. The coach calls counts to the music. The cheerleaders in front have eight counts to perform a jump sequence. When they complete their eight counts, they each go to the back of their line and the next performers demonstrate a jump sequence. The cheerleaders can all perform the same sequence, or they can each choose a sequence to present.
Purposes of Display Lines
In this exercise, the cheerleaders practice timing their moves to the music, moving seamlessly from one performer to another, taking a starring position and following cue calls from their coach. They also have the opportunity to drill specific sequences in small groups, so their coach can observe each cheerer more closely. The exercise helps the cheerleaders practice starting from a standstill, counting the beats in a sequence and executing the specific jumps they are rehearsing.
Posted in: Cheerleading