Quick answer: a spread eagle (sometimes called an X jump) is a beginner cheer jump in which the legs spread straight apart and the arms go up into a high V, so the body forms an X shape in the air. It's often one of the first jumps athletes learn, before progressing to the higher, more flexible toe touch.
What Does It Look Like?
At the top of the jump, both legs are straight and spread apart, angled down and out from the hips, with the toes pointed. The arms are in a high V, so arms and legs together make a big, symmetrical X. The torso stays upright and the chest stays lifted.
How It Differs From a Toe Touch
The spread eagle and the toe touch are both symmetrical straddle-style jumps, but they look quite different at the peak:
| Spread Eagle | Toe Touch | |
|---|---|---|
| Body shape | An X - legs spread apart below, arms in a high V above | A wide straddle with the legs lifted to around hip height or higher |
| Arms | High V | T motion |
| Legs | Straight and apart, angled down | Straight, lifted towards parallel with the floor, knees pointing up or back |
| Typical stage | Entry-level jump | Core jump at every level |
Because a spread eagle doesn't need the legs lifted to hip height, it demands much less flexibility and hip strength - which is why it's commonly taught first and shows up most in younger and newer teams' routines.
Common Mistakes Judges Notice
- Bent knees or flexed feet instead of straight legs and pointed toes.
- A collapsed chest, with the shoulders rounding forward.
- Arms out of position - drifting into a T or a touchdown instead of a high V.
- Different leg widths across the team, so the line of Xs looks uneven.
- Untidy landings - feet not together, or landing out of time with the team.
Where It Fits in a Routine
Spread eagles appear in the jump sections of routines for younger and entry-level teams, in sideline chants and cheers, and as a simple, crowd-friendly jump at games. More advanced teams usually choose higher-difficulty jumps such as toe touches and hurdlers, because judges reward harder jumps and connected jump sequences.
Level Context
Jumps themselves aren't restricted by level in USASF All Star rules - any team can perform a spread eagle. What is restricted is connecting a jump into tumbling: a jump directly into a back handspring is first allowed at Level 3.
Related Jumps
See the toe touch, the tuck jump - the other common beginner jump - or the full jumps overview.