Lacing Techniques That Lock the Foot In
Lock Lacing: The Go-To for Tumbling
Lock lacing cheer shoes is the single most effective technique for keeping shoes tied during high-impact skills. It uses the top two eyelets to create a friction loop that prevents the laces from loosening under stress.
How to Do It
Start with your normal criss-cross lacing from the bottom of the shoe up to the second-to-last eyelet. Then, instead of crossing over to the opposite side, thread each lace straight up into the top eyelet on the same side. This creates a small loop on each side. Now cross each lace over and thread it through the opposite loop before pulling tight and tying your knot.
- Creates a friction lock at the top of the shoe
- Prevents the heel from lifting during takeoffs and landings
- Keeps the laces from gradually loosening over a routine
- Works on any cheer shoe with standard eyelets
Window Lacing for Wide Feet
Some athletes have a wider forefoot that feels pinched when laced tight from top to bottom. Window lacing relieves pressure across the widest part of the foot while still locking down the heel.
How to Do It
Lace normally from the bottom up to where the shoe feels tight across the top of the foot. At that point, thread each lace straight up on the same side for one or two eyelets, skipping the crossover. Resume criss-cross lacing above the pressure zone and finish with a lock lace at the top.
- Relieves pressure across the ball of the foot
- Maintains a secure fit through the midfoot and heel
- Good option for athletes who feel cramped in competition cheer shoes but don't need a full size up
Surgeon's Knot: Extra Security at the Ankle
If lock lacing handles the top of the shoe, the surgeon's knot handles the middle. This technique adds a half-knot at a specific point in the lacing to lock tension below it, so even if the upper laces loosen slightly, the lower section stays tight.
How to Do It
As you lace up and reach the point where the shoe wraps around the ankle, tie a simple half-knot (one loop, pulled tight) before continuing to lace upward. This pins the tension below that point so the laces can't creep loose from the toe up.
- Locks tension at the ankle for a secure midfoot fit
- Prevents the lower laces from loosening as the shoe flexes
- Pairs well with a lock lace at the top for maximum hold
Tucking Laces: The Final Step
Even the best lacing technique needs a secure finish.
Once you've tied your knot, tuck the loops and lace ends under the tongue or along the sides of the shoe so they stay out of the way during tumbling. Double-knotting before tucking adds another layer of security. Avoid leaving loose lace ends where they can catch or drag during a routine.
Choosing the Right Shoe for a Secure Fit
The right lacing technique works best when the shoe itself is built for tumbling. Look for:
- Secure heel fit that keeps the foot from lifting during takeoffs and landings
- Flexible sole that lets the foot move naturally through tumbling skills
- Lightweight construction that won't weigh you down during jumps and stunts
- Supportive upper that keeps the foot stable during quick directional changes
- Snug, comfortable fit without squeezing the toes or creating pressure points
If your shoe feels loose before lacing, you may need to size down or try a different model. Pair it with cheer socks to reduce internal slip without adding bulk. Varsity's cheer shoes are developed by former cheerleaders and dancers who understand what tumbling demands from a shoe, and that athlete-led approach is why the brand is the official shoe partner of USA Cheer's national teams.