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GLOSSARY OF JUMPS
Toe-touch - An in the air straddle in which both legs are even with hips. (Arms are in a T) 
Pike - Feet are straight out in front of you, and arms are parallel to legs.
Hurdler(Herkie) - One leg is straight to the side while the other is bent, knee pointing to the side(foot almost touching seat). Arms are in a T.
Front Hurdler - One leg is straight out in front of you (like doing a kick) while the other leg is bent, facing the same direction of the leg that is straight. (foot almost touching seat)Arms are straight out, parallel to legs with fists in candlestick position.
Double Hook - One leg is in "Indian style" while the other is bent, as in the Hurdler(Herkie). Arms are in a T.
PREP
**Before you can get a good jump, you must have a good prep.
1)Start with your feet together and your hands on your hips
2)Next, pop your arms into a high-V and come onto your toes (When you lift to your toes, it helps you get more heighth later in the jump)Make sure that when you pop your V that your back remains straight and not curved (A curved back will take energy away from your jump and prep causing your toe-touch to be lower)
3)Then, swing your arms in a semi-circle so that they cross or pass each other in front of your body. Do NOT lean forward, because this will also make your toe-touch lower.(Don't forget to bend your knees when you swing your arms)
4)Next, pop your arms into a T as your legs hit the stradle position (Once you are in the air). Keep your chest up.(If you do not keep it up, it will also bring you down)
5)Finally, land with your feet together with your hands holding the back of your legs. Stand up with your hands on your hips.
TOE-TOUCH TIPS
**The key to a good toe-touch is NOT in the jump, but in the legs!
1)Here is a stretch that will help get your toe-touch higher: Sit on the ground in a stradle position with your legs as far apart as they will go. Next, put your hands behind you on the ground and lock out your elbows to use as a brace(do not cheat by moving your hands) Now, try to lift your legs as high off the ground as you can and hold that that position (Do not lean back or forward)At first, you may only be able to lift your legs about an inch or so, but it will get easier.
2)When leaving the ground, try lifting with your shoulders and upper body to pull yourself higher
3)Develop strong leg muscles to pull your legs higher. Jumping helps, but it is not the key to a high toe-touch
4)Do not put too much energy into the prep and do not bend your knees too much. It is harder for you to lift your legs which is how you get your jump higher.
5)Try "Angel Kicks". First, you do a regular toe-touch with a prep. As soon as you land, jump into the air with your arms in a touchdown position. When you land, automatically do a toe-touch, arms in T, without a prep. Do 3 toe-touches at a time, trying to get each one higher than the other. This is a fast paced exercise with no pauses between jumps.
6)Try to stretch every day. It will help loosen the muscles.
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