You’ve worked all summer long training and preparing, and now it’s time to show off on the competition floor at USA Spirit Nationals! 

Here are a few tips to take your competition routine from a regional performance to National Championship ready: 

#1 Identify the ISSUES
Read your scoresheets from regionals or camp. Study the scoresheets and find out where points were lost.  Make a list, take it to practice and start identifying the areas of improvement. Review video footage of your team’s performance. Write down the corrections and provide an action item for each. Learn what the judges are looking for at your competitions, incorporate that into your routine and make improvements.

#2 Clean, Clean, CLEAN
Working on uniformity and synchronization is a must! Count 8 counts or sections in routine and break it down into manageable sections to clean… go slow and take notice of all body parts and if they are identical among your team. Spend time cleaning up and breaking down all transitions and perfect them. 

#3 Practice Makes PERMANENT
Conduct high-quality practice, not mindless practice.  Make sure your team is practicing their skills and choreography correctly. Don’t continuously drill a section without identifying the counts or movement that needs correction and/or the team members that need to make those improvements. Remember, it’s all about muscle memory. Practice the right way to avoid mistakes on the performance floor. Make sure all teammates are properly initiating and completing movement and technical skills. 

#4 Stage Your Routine to SUCCEED
Stand back and look first at the overall effect.  Focus on the appropriateness of music and choreography while utilizing your skills best. Remember: competition is a team sport.  Move team members who are not developing or giving you what you need.  Fix patterns that are not clear to judges/audience. Keep in mind that judges look for a team’s ability to gauge and position themselves correctly in all formations and transitions from the start to the end of their performance.

#5 Project and PERFORM
Always look to earn maximum points in areas you can control, like showmanship. Winning teams love to perform and it shows on their face.  Remember to project showmanship to the back of the arena so everyone in the venue can feel your enthusiasm and expression. Teams that master the ability to connect with the audience through projection, genuine expression, emotion, energy and entertainment value rise to the top.  Push team to go outside their comfort zone and project their performance beyond the judges table.

#6 Keep Building STAMINA
Running the track is far different than stunting and tumbling for 2 minutes straight while executing a series of jumps, technical skills and fast dance movement. Go full-out at practice and consider having your team run around the performance floor immediately following their run through for the length of their competition song to improve stamina. Gradually building stamina will help your team fully execute their skills so they can solely focus on engaging the crowd and building enthusiasm during their Nationals’ performance.

#7 Remember your WHY
Clearly define your vision and WHY you are competing.  It may because your team has a passion for cheer and a desire to share their love of performing.  Or, it may be because your team has pride in their school and team, and want to share it with others.  Whatever it may be… establish your WHY and clearly define it so your team has the same vision.

See the performances of a lifetime this weekend at USA Spirit Nationals, streaming all weekend long right here on Varsity.TV.