Gymnastics/Cheer Questions?

Question

I want to start to be introduced to gymnastics for cheerleading. Here's what i want to accomplish in order of most important.
1.Back bend (i can do a bridge)
2.Better Cartwheel
3.Good Round Off
4. Back handspring (i guess i have to know how to do a back walkover before that.
5. amazing/high cheer jumps (toe touch!, hurdlers, etc.
6. Splits/overall flexibility
I know that's a long list but im dedicated. Here's what I'm having trouble with...
1. For some reason, my spine doesn't bend backwards, it's just not flexible. I just cant do a back bend. Whenever I get half way down the wall while trying one, i freak out then have to go back up. Its so frustrating!  Any tips for this problem, stretches that will help my back become more flexible, or r back bend tips? 
2.Also, I can do a cartwheel fairly well. My second leg just bends a bit. Tips to fixt this? 
3. I can't do a round-off at all. Only a cartwheel. Tips to help me nail ones?
4. Any tips to make back hand springs easier to learn or quicker?
5. What'll help my jumps be higher, particularly my toe touches?
6. Any cheer stretches or exercises that'll help me nail splits?

Thanks! This means so much to me!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Hmmm, I can help you with your back bend, but not the other things because you need a spotter so you won't injure yourself, sorry.  But I can try(:.  Well to stretch your back for the back bend ( I learned how to do this myself) sit down on the ground with your legs out straight in front of you.  Reach for your toes (this stretches both your back and legs :D). Next, just get into a bridge from when you're laying down. When you are all stretched out, you can start climbing down the wall.  Don't worry about falling on your face when climbing down the wall, trust me, you won't.  Keep doing this, and after a few days, you should be able to bend back without a wall. After you nail your back bend, you can try a back walkover by falling into a bridge in front of your wall and "walk" up the wall, then kick over.  It's best to have someone tere to watch and help you.  And some stretches for the splits are to, again, reach for your toes, and then do lunges.  Just stretch A LOT.  You don't want to pull a muscle.  But, everyday, just keep practicing and eventually, you'll fall into the splits(:

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Gymnastics/Cheer Questions?

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