More Than Counts

Chris Cox didn't set out to become a choreographer. He simply fell in love with the creative side of cheerleading and never stopped chasing it.In this episode, Chris shares his journey from athlete, to coach, to building one of the industry's most respected choreography brands. We dive into what makes a routine memorable, how movement and formations can create powerful visual moments, and why great choreography is about more than just checking boxes on a score sheet.Along the way, we break down two standout routines—Desert Elite Mavericks Renegade and Prodigy Twilight—and explore the unique challenges of choreographing for small teams, non-tumbling divisions, and World Championship contenders.Whether you're a coach, choreographer, athlete, or fan of the sport, this conversation is a reminder that the best routines aren't just built around skills—they're built around people, creativity, and the moments that make us feel something.Chapters00:00 The Journey from Athlete to Choreographer07:15 Collaboration and Feedback in Choreography16:38 Misconceptions About Good Choreography21:41 Challenges of Non-Tumbling Division27:12 Growth and Development in Cheerleading32:47 Routine Review and Analysis

Tumbling is one of the most visible skills in cheerleading, but the journey behind it is often much bigger than the skill itself.In this episode, Levi joins us to talk about what it really takes to develop successful tumblers. From overcoming fear and mental blocks to building confidence under pressure, we explore the challenges athletes face and the role coaches and parents play in supporting them along the way.We also dive into the art of tumbling itself—what makes standing tumbling visually appealing, how judges perceive different skills, and how coaches can make smarter decisions when building routines around their athletes' strengths.Whether you're a coach trying to maximize your tumbling score, a parent supporting an athlete through a setback, or an athlete chasing the next skill, this conversation offers practical insights and a fresh perspective on one of cheerleading's most important disciplines.Because great tumbling isn't just about the skills athletes perform—it's about the confidence, resilience, and trust they build along the way.Chapters00:00 The Journey of Tumbling06:52 Supporting Athletes Through Mental Blocks21:22 Uniformity in Tumbling Styles27:02 The Challenge of Standing Fulls33:16 The Challenge of Standing Fulls39:21 Tumbling in Routine Building47:13 Tumbling Technique and Coaching

From opening two gyms in two years to building a first-year Worlds champion, Adrian Butler takes us inside one of the most talked-about seasons in cheerleading.In this episode, we break down the rise of Top Gun Legends — how the athletes bought into the vision, the pressure of carrying the Top Gun name, and the tiny routine changes that helped shape their Worlds-winning run.Adrian also shares his philosophy on coaching, athlete development, routine construction, musicality, and why creating emotion matters just as much as difficulty. From building culture inside the gym to creating moments that make crowds erupt, this conversation goes far beyond the scoresheet.We also watch and analyze routines together, including the evolution of the Legends routine from early season to Worlds Finals, and talk about what truly makes a routine memorable.TakeawaysLeadership and TrustCreating Memorable Moments Emotional ConnectionArtistic ExpressionChapters00:00 The Rise of Top Gun Legends13:32 Inception of Top Gun Legends Routine34:08 The Art of Emotional Connection in Music40:06 Strategic Music Changes and Surprises47:45 Strategic Team Development and Progression53:39 Building a Culture of Excellence and Value01:01:33 Trends in Cheerleading and Skill Development

This week on More Than Counts, I sit down with Coach K, the creator behind High School Cheer Rules, to break down one of the most misunderstood parts of cheerleading: legality.From viral stunt videos to hidden deductions that can completely change rankings, we talk about how high school cheer rules actually work, why different competitions sometimes interpret rules differently, and how coaches can better protect their teams from costly mistakes.We also dive into the differences between high school, All-Star, and ICU-style cheerleading, how rules evolve over time, and why some programs seem “ahead of the curve” when new skills become legal. Along the way, Coach K shares her journey from high school coach to one of the internet’s go-to voices for legality education.And of course, we end the episode the More Than Counts way: by reviewing a listener-submitted routine and discussing what makes it effective beyond just the skills.Because cheerleading is more than counts. It’s strategy, safety, creativity, and understanding why the rules exist in the first place.TakeawaysWhy legality deductions happen more often than coaches thinkThe biggest differences between high school and All-Star cheer rulesHow rule interpretations can vary between competitionsWhy understanding the “why” behind the rules mattersHow elite programs prepare for future rule changesWhat makes a routine feel clean, strategic, and intentionalChapters00:00 – Meet Coach K & the world of High School Cheer Rules08:15 – Why high school legality is more complicated than people realize21:59 – Breaking down common stunt deductions29:06 – All-Star vs. school cheer: what changes?34:43 – The future of cheer rules & skill progression42:30 – Listener routine review and feedback

What does it actually take to build a routine that wins—and one that people remember?In this episode, I sit down with Dahlston Delgado—the choreographer behind 13 routines at NCA this year, and creative forces shaping cheerleading both on and off the competition floor.We break down his process from the very first skills check to the final performance—how he builds structure, layers movement, and makes decisions that balance the score sheet with the audience experience.We also get into the differences between college and all-star choreography, what changes when you’re building for NCA vs UCA, and how his work on Stumble and Broadway has shifted the way he sees routine design.Plus, we watch and analyze real routines—including one submitted by a listener—and talk through what works, what could be elevated, and how small decisions create big impact.This conversation is a deep dive into the strategy, creativity, and emotion behind elite routines—and a reminder that the best performances don’t just score well… they make you feel something.Chapters00:00 The Journey to Choreography08:10 The Impact of TV on Choreography19:23 Choreographing for Texas Tech Large Co-ed24:44 Choreographing for Mississippi State All Girl48:34 Analyzing a Listener's Routine

In this episode, we’re shifting the lens a little—because cheerleading isn’t just experienced on the mat.I’m joined by Jay, a dad, comedian, and creator whose viral TikToks capture the real, funny, and sometimes chaotic side of being a cheer parent. What starts as a conversation about supporting your athlete quickly turns into something deeper: what this sport teaches families about resilience, community, and showing up—fully.We talk about how cheerleading has evolved, from the skills we see on the floor to the way information, creativity, and even language spread through the sport. From naming trends to social media shaping how quickly teams level up, this episode connects the dots between culture, coaching, and the parent experience.But at the core of it all, this is a conversation about perspective—how cheerleading can change not just the athlete, but the people around them.Because the impact of cheerleading isn’t just on the athlete—it’s on the people who love them most, and that’s what makes it more than counts: what routines teach us about teamwork, leadership, and life.TakeawaysParenting through the lens of cheerCommunity and resilience in cheerleadingImpact of social media on spreading informationChapters00:00 The Power of Parenting in Cheerleading13:41 The Evolution of Cheerleading20:45 Language Creativity and Social Media Impact

On this episode of More Than Counts, I’m joined by JJ—coach, choreographer, and someone who truly understands what it takes to build routines that hit.We get into his journey through cheer, from stepping into the California scene to finding his voice in coaching and choreography. But more than that, this conversation really dives into what sits underneath great routines—team culture, intention, and strategy.We talk about what actually makes choreography work (and what doesn’t), how to approach routine changes without losing your structure, and why musicality and pacing can completely change how a routine is received.We also get into the differences between high school and all-star routines, and the non-negotiables JJ brings into every team he works with.If you’ve ever watched a routine and thought “why did that score the way it did?”—this episode is for you.TakeawaysTeam culture is the foundation for successChoreography process involves blocking out the routine before adding choreography Routine ChangesChoreography StrategyChapters00:00 The Foundation of Team Culture14:42 Coaching Strategy and Non-Negotiables23:15 Routine Changes and Overhaul35:35 High School vs. All-Star Routines

What happens when choreography becomes more than just skills and counts — and starts with relationships?In this episode of More Than Counts, I sit down with Jeremy Brown and Marcus, the duo behind Creative Elements, to talk about their journey in the cheerleading industry and the philosophy that drives their choreography.We dive into how their partnership started, why they prioritize relationship-driven choreography, and how collaboration between coaches, athletes, and choreographers can transform a program. Jeremy and Marcus share their perspective on evolving trends in cheerleading, the importance of creating a supportive team environment, and the non-negotiables they bring into every routine they build.We also break down routines together — from Florida Twisters to Arizona All-Star Venom — analyzing what makes performances stand out, why clean movement and clear visuals still win, and how small details like formations, timing, and even uniform colors can dramatically impact how routines are seen by judges and audiences.This conversation goes beyond choreography. It’s about community, mentorship, and building teams where athletes feel supported and inspired to grow.Because at the end of the day… cheerleading is more than counts.TakeawaysRelationship-driven choreography builds stronger teamsCollaboration between coaches, athletes, and choreographers is essentialClean movement and clarity still win on the scoresheetVisual elements — including formations and uniform colors — impact performance perceptionMeeting teams where they are is key to long-term program successChapters00:00 The Art of Relationship-Driven Choreography05:55 Trends and Changes in Cheerleading23:41 The Impact of Clean Movement and Visuals31:03 The Importance of Basic Skills

n this episode of More Than Counts, we sit down with Andres, a Mexican choreographer whose work is making an impact on teams around the world. From his journey as an athlete to coaching and building a global choreography career, Andres shares how his experience has shaped his creative process and his approach to athlete experience.We dive into the evolution of cheerleading in Mexico, the reality of working with half-season and non-tumbling teams, and how he balances difficulty, creativity, and team identity when building routines.Together, we break down three impactful routines from different programs, exploring the story behind each team, the choreographic choices, and the moments that truly hit the scoresheet.This episode is a deep look at culture, collaboration, and what it means to create routines that are not only competitive — but meaningful.Because cheerleading is More Than Counts.TakeawaysGlobal expansion of cheerleading careerImportance of positive athlete experience Collaboration is key to successful choreographyNon-tumbling routines require strategic choreographyCompetition experiences shape team growth and learningStorytelling and emotional themes enhance routine impactDetailed analysis improves routine qualityChapters00:00 Introduction and Cheerleading Beginnings05:27 Season Structure and Development in Mexico10:54 Progress in Mexican Cheerleading17:16 Difficulty vs. Creativity in Choreography29:01 Routine Showcase: All Star Revolution J336:15 Non-Tumbling Team Dynamics - Barcelona Bears47:17 2026 Routine Theme