What is High Kick?

This year, the International Cheer Union added High Kick as the newest dance division for international competition.  High Kick has been a popular form of dance for many generations and has been common at many different competitions, but its addition to the ICU categories will increase it’s popularity around the world!

You Can Learn High Kick Elements at Varsity!

High Kick can be identified by it’s sharp and precise execution of a wide variety of kicks, typically performed in one or multiple lines (known as a kick line). It’s routines are high energy, exciting, and are appreciated by audiences of all ages. Here at Varsity, our dance teachers have started introducing kick elements in our pom and jazz classes to add variety to our routines, improve the strength, stamina, and flexibility of our students, and encourage our dancers to work as a team!

Who Does High Kick?

One of the most well known kick-lines in the world is the Radio City Rockettes, based in New York City. They are famous for their “eye high”kicks and their Radio City Christmas Spectacular that is performed around the world. Their style is extremely synchronized and precise, creating the foundation for what many teams strive for in kick. Check out those beautiful legs!

Another well known team to do High Kick is Kilgore College in Tyler, Texas, USA. This team has been in existence since 1939! They perform their kick routines at American Football games across the country in large football stadiums and are known for their flexibility as well as their quick, sharp movements. The kicks are used to create amazing visuals that keep the audience engaged and excited!  These girls even have their own museum dedicated to their team’s history!

High Kick is a very popular style of dance for high school dance teams in the United States. West Fargo High School is just one example of an extremely well known high school aged team that other teams look up to! They combine jazz technique and impressive strength and flexibility to perform flawless routines at national dance competitions! These girls are only a little older than most of our athletes here at Varsity! 

The authors：

Dancing has always been the big love of Amy’s life. Born in Houston, TX, Amy began training in dance at a young age. She grew up in studios dancing competitively across the country. She trained and competed in ballet, jazz, tap, pom, and hip-hop.  Amy went to high school in Lafayette, LA where she was a member of the 19 time national champion St. Thomas More Sparklers and served as Co-Captain her senior year. She attended college at the University of Oklahoma where she received a B.A. in Material Dynamics and Computer Systems, and was a member and Captain of the University of Oklahoma Pom Squad.

After university, she continued her career in dance choreographing competition routines for several schools including NDA pom national champions Norman North High School, and receiving the Best Choreography Award twice over the past 4 years at NDA nationals. She is excited to share her love of dance with those at the Varsity Cheerleading Academy!