How can i improve my splits and kicks??

Question:My high school's drill team tryouts are next month and i'm really nervous. I'm currently taking a dance class and there is a good of girls who can dance and split and kick really good, so they kinda imitidate me. And they are really sure that they are going to make the team. But i really want to make the team. So how do i stretch out so that i can do the splits and how do i practice my jumps. Also, we have to smile ALOT and i'm not used to smiling like that, so how do i do that?? I have no problems learning a dance, its just remembering it is what's hard. 10 points for best answer!! thank you!!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: My high school's drill team tryouts are next month and i'm really nervous. I'm currently taking a dance class and there is a good of girls who can dance and split and kick really good, so they kinda imitidate me. And they are really sure that they are going to make the team. But i really want to make the team. So how do i stretch out so that i can do the splits and how do i practice my jumps. Also, we have to smile ALOT and i'm not used to smiling like that, so how do i do that?? I have no problems learning a dance, its just remembering it is what's hard. 10 points for best answer!! thank you!!

To improve your kicks wear ankle weights and kick around your house. This will help make your legs stronger. Also run a lot to increase your stamina so that you can kick longer without getting tired so easily.

I used to have problems with smiling at first too but then I realized that I'm not the only smiling really big so it made me feel better. When you're practicing your routine, smile at the same time.

Splits: It took me the longest time to get my splits. What I did to get them was stretch everyday and hold my splits for 3 minutes and then got out of them and stretched again. I also stretched by folding one leg and then lifting the other up to my nose and then bring it down and then bring it back up to touch my ear. Another good stretch is too stand up and spread out your legs and then bend over to touch your nose to your knee and hold it there for 10 seconds and then repeat it on the other leg.

Remembering the dance:
Practice it whenever you can. It would also help me to go over it in my head and then do it for real. It also helps to write it down kinda like when you're first learning how to spell and your teacher makes you write each word three times.

Don't feel intimidated! As long as you're about or just as good as the other girls trying out then you'll make it. Just remember to never drop your smile and have eye contact with the judges. Also keep your chin up and never look down or at the girls trying out with you. And keep your shoulders back and have good posture. Good Luck!

My advice is to stretch a LOT. I stretch whenever I watch tv or listen to music. mspineapple.com has a lot of great tips on how to stretch.

Well, I'm no pro, but I would say that doing a lot of stretches and practicing would help improve your kicks and splits. As for smiling, I would practice that too. Try laughing more, or just keep a smile on your face the whole try out. As for making the team, practice, practice, practice and do your best! Remember to keep smiling! It may also help your kicks and splits if you find some tips and tricks on the way while your practicing. Just experiment doing them different ways and find what way works best for you. I play instruments and thats what I'm constantly doing, practicing and finding the way that works best for me. Try combining things that work best to come up with a great trick to help you split and kick better. Good luck on your try outs! Hope you make it! And remember, keep smiling and hold on to your hopes of making the team!

well im a gymnast so what i have 2 do is stretch a lot!!! hold the splits for 30 seconds three times a day and then increase the time u hold them. it should work

At drill team tryouts, they look more for potential and technique and showmanship because these are the signs of good learners and dancers. Try these stretches:
Here's some stretches I do to help with my splits:
~Start with a straddle stretch, reach over to the right so that your knee is facing the ceiling and your shoulders are facing front, hold for at least 30 seconds then rotate so that your shoulders are facing your leg (nose to knee), then angle yourself so that you are reaching a few inches in front of your leg (if your center is 12 o' clock, reach to the 2 o' clock diagonal); reach center, then reverse to the left (diagonal, nose to knee, shoulders foward); repeat the whole thing twice
~Now put your legs straight ahead in a pike, point your toes and bend over trying to keep your back flat (don't hunch) and hold, then reach as far as you can (your back will hunch some); repeat with flexed feet; now bring one leg to coupe, reach, and repeat, then switch legs, and now bring one leg to posse, reach, and switch legs
~Pretend like your in the splits, with one leg in front, the other behind. Bend one leg in so that your back leg is straight and your front is bend to your chest. Reach over and hold, repeat with your bent leg in attitude (a 90 degree angle in front of you) and switch legs
~Lay on your back, pull one leg into passe then extend straight and pull to your nose, like in a kick (make sure both toes are pointed and both legs are straight) repeat going into posse and extending; carry your leg to your ear, then carry it across your body; hold all stretches and repeat with the other leg

Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds and do on both sides for it to be productive!

Now try your splits for the first time after stretching, all 3 (left, right, middle)

~Now go to a wall, lay on your back with your booty next to the intersection of the wall and floor and your legs straight up against the wall; let your legs drop to a straddle (back on floor, legs on wall); hold for as long as possible, try 2-3 minutes!

Now try your splits again, this time go as far as you can then lay over towards your front leg, push back and arch the back, then roll so that you are laying on the inside of your split leg. This is hard to do until you have the splits all the way.

~For kicks, just practice. Start at one end of a hall and do step kick step kick step kick step kick jump kick jump kick jump kick jump kick step kick... down the hall. Practice some by yourself to build up balance and core strength, then practice hooked up in a kick line. In kick lines, practice being on the end and in the middle because you don't know where you'll be in the line for tryouts.

I hope I helped! You'll do great. Practice smiling in the mirror and doing facials. Also, at your dance classes smile whenever you do a combination to get you used to it. The sillier you feel and the bigger the smile the better. Just practice your basic technique and stretch everyday. Never sacrifice proper technique for kick height! Good luck ( :

Stretch a ton, especialy while watching TV, doing homework, etc. Run in place while kicking your butt, that helps make your legs a lot stronger. Also, stand normally, then rise up onto your toes, and repeat.