You made the team… now how do you train to excel? Flexibility is one of the easiest things you can improve! We caught up with Maryland Twisters Reign center jumper, Blake Forry, to hear how he trains to hyperextend his jumps.

FloCheer: How do you stretch before jumping?

Forry: I spend about 10 minutes stretching in splits. I do all three directions to make sure my legs are properly stretched. After my legs are warmed up, I do bridges! This stretches my back out to full potential!

Name three strength and conditioning drills for jumps:

1.Ankle Weights: I do my jumps with ankle weights on to increase my leg strength.

2.Leg Kicks: I do leg kicks with ankle weights on. This helps my legs go higher when I jump after the weight is removed.

3.Leg Lifts: I sit on the ground in a straddle split, and lift one leg up at a time doing 10 circles. Once I do each side, I do 10 circles with both legs at the same time!

How did you perfect your jumps?

I practice them a lot and continue to do my routine stretches. I also make connected jump combinations up, which has helped my jumps get better and challenges my stamina.

Did you ever struggle with jumps in the past?

I struggled in the past because I wasn't always this flexible! After years of stretching and frequently doing those drills, I've been able to hyperextend!

What's your best advice for improvement?

The best advice for improvement is don't give up! If you're not the best in that area keep practicing them, when you practice and keep trying to perfect your jumps it sometimes becomes your strong suit! Don't skip your stretches and always do your drills.

my body should not bend this way.. pic.twitter.com/p9RQXt0td6

— Blake (@BlakeForry) May 27, 2017

Keep stretching during offseason and use Blake's strength and conditioning tips to help your jumps improve this summer!

Before beginning any fitness program, you should check with your doctor.  By performing any fitness exercises, you are performing them at your own risk.