Need Help with Leap Technique

cherokee · Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

Hello, I'm new to the forums.

I have a bunch of questions concerning techique for leaps:

1. I have the perfect splits right, left, and center, and my teacher/coach says I get great height, but I still can't it a perfect split in the air. Does anyone have any advice? At first I was told to work on getting height and that would help, but now I have the height without the splits. I was also told to do the splits with one leg elevated (over extended splits), which I think will help some but I haven't gotten a chance to try it yet. Any advice?

2. I have trouble getting both legs up at the same time. In a calypso or attitude leap, for example, I feel like there's a significant time difference between when my front leg goes up and when my back leg does. Pointers?

If you can help me out it'd be greatly appreciated.

pr · Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 1011 Location: Göteborg, Sweden

I'm just a beginner in jazz so I cant answer your questions,:( :P but Welcome to Dance Forums! :D

dancingmonkey · Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 2 Location: CA

Your description is good, but without seeing your leap, it hard to pinpoint what exactly is going on.

I suggest the following:
1. Try to plie more before your leap. This may give you more power to achieve both the height and the split.

2. Also, try to think more up than forward. Sometimes dancers are trying to get so much forward motion that it hurts other aspects of the leap. Try to think more “up” during your leap and the split and forward motion will happen too.

Hope this helps!

dnsr4life · Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 15

cherokee wrote: Hello, I'm new to the forums.

I have a bunch of questions concerning techique for leaps:

1. I have the perfect splits right, left, and center, and my teacher/coach says I get great height, but I still can't it a perfect split in the air. Does anyone have any advice? At first I was told to work on getting height and that would help, but now I have the height without the splits. I was also told to do the splits with one leg elevated (over extended splits), which I think will help some but I haven't gotten a chance to try it yet. Any advice?

2. I have trouble getting both legs up at the same time. In a calypso or attitude leap, for example, I feel like there's a significant time difference between when my front leg goes up and when my back leg does. Pointers?

If you can help me out it'd be greatly appreciated.

There are many things that you can try. I don't think that flexibility is the problem. I think it has more to do with strength. Practice holding one leg in front of you while standing on the other. Jump and kick your standing leg backwards. land on the same leg. This drill works best with a barre. In hospitals doctors use long strips of rubber. If you can find one of these rubber strips try tying it to your feet or ankles and practice your leaps with it on. It will resist and strengthen your legs. If this is not available then just regular conditioning for your quads and calves will help. When your walking through your house, try lunging instead, you'll look funny, but it will help.