Creating a Championship-Caliber Routine Starts Long Before the First 8-Count
Choreography isn’t just about filling time with skills and motions — it’s about telling a story, building momentum, and setting your team up for success. Whether you're designing a routine for a first-year team or an elite-level squad, the choreography process should feel strategic, inspiring, and intentional from start to finish.

In this post, I’m breaking down my best advice for each phase of the process — what to focus on before choreography begins, how to lead and adapt during the session, and the post-choreo habits that make the biggest difference in execution.

Let’s dive in.

Pre-Choreography Session Advice:

Setting Your Team Up for Success

So, you’re preparing for an upcoming choreography session, whether with me or another instructor. As a choreographer, I take my role seriously in helping bring your team's vision to life with a routine that’s impactful and achievable. However, the behind-the-scenes preparation on your end is just as crucial for ensuring a smooth, productive session.

Below are some key tips I’ve found invaluable as a choreographer. Following these will maximize your session time, keep things running smoothly, and set your team up for success.

1. Communicate in Advance

Preparation starts long before the choreographer steps into the gym. In the weeks leading up to the session, be sure to share important information with the choreographer, such as:

Practice Videos: Showcasing current skills and formations
Skill Breakdowns: Tumbling, stunts, and overall team strengths
Roster Information: Athlete names, positions, and height ranges
Season Objectives: Competition goals, scoring priorities, and team themes

Some coaches hesitate to overload choreographers with details, but trust me, the more information we have upfront, the better. When we can brainstorm and plan ahead, we spend less time troubleshooting and more time refining and elevating your routine.

2. Prepare for Dance and Performance Execution

Dance can often be one of the most challenging aspects of choreography for teams. Athletes may struggle with rhythm or performance confidence. While your choreographer will guide the motions, your athletes should be ready to execute them with energy and presence.

How to Prepare:

Incorporate dance-focused activities into practices before the choreography session. Consider fun challenges where athletes learn new choreography and perform for each other.
Identify stronger dancers early and encourage them to lead by example.
Rehearse performance skills—facial expressions, energy, and projection. Even if the routine isn’t dance-heavy, every athlete should exude confidence.

The more comfortable your athletes are with movement and performance, the less time will be spent adjusting counts and motions, allowing us to focus on fine-tuning the details that truly make a routine stand out.

3. Use Name Tags

This may seem simple, but it’s a game-changer. Choreographers work with hundreds of athletes, and remembering everyone’s name can be a challenge. Providing name tags—whether it’s a simple piece of tape with their name or a reusable badge—makes the session more personal and efficient. It allows the choreographer to call athletes by name, rather than pointing or guessing, creating a more professional and productive environment.

4. Cultivate a Team-First Mentality

Choreography sessions often involve changes—new formations, stunt adjustments, and role shifts. Prepare your team mentally by reinforcing a team-first mindset.

Key Points to Emphasize:

Be Flexible: Athletes shouldn’t get too attached to specific roles or placements. Choreography is fluid, and adjustments are inevitable.
Stay Positive: Not every role will be glamorous, but every position is crucial to the routine’s success.
Focus on Growth: Encourage athletes to view every change as an opportunity to improve.

One of my favorite reminders is: “Sometimes being a team player means taking out the trash.” Not every athlete will love their assigned role, but their attitude and effort will leave a lasting impression.

5. Thoughtful Gestures Go a Long Way

Consider your choreographer’s needs for the day. A quick check-in beforehand—asking about their preferred snacks, drinks, or setup needs—can make a huge difference. These small but meaningful gestures ensure choreographers stay focused and energized, enabling them to deliver their best work for your team.

During Choreography Session Tips:

Maximizing Time and Efficiency

During the choreography session itself, maintaining a collaborative and efficient environment is key. Here are some tips for coaches to keep things moving smoothly:

Communicate openly with the choreographer: If there are issues you foresee or adjustments you anticipate making after the session, let the choreographer know. This allows for better planning and can save time post-session.
Be present, but not intrusive: When the choreographer is explaining motions, try to mirror what they are doing on the opposite side of the floor. This saves time and helps athletes learn the choreography more quickly.
Trust the choreographer: If questions arise, allow the choreographer to finish their explanation before jumping in. Trust that they have a plan and the routine will come together.
Minimize distractions: Avoid taking groups to the side unless instructed to do so by the choreographer. It’s easy to think you’re helping, but sometimes, having the whole team present allows for a more efficient session.
Encourage positive energy: During times of fatigue or frustration, maintain a positive attitude and keep morale high. Lead by example and encourage athletes to stay motivated and focused.

Post-Choreography Session Advice:

Maintaining Momentum and Building on Success

After the choreography session, it’s important to maintain the progress made and ensure everything is aligned for success.

1. Take Videos for Reference

Recording the session is crucial. Share the videos on your team’s group messaging platform so athletes can review and practice at home. This also ensures everyone is on the same page when it comes to learning the choreography.

2. Run the Routine as a Whole

While it’s important to perfect individual sections, don’t forget to run the entire routine regularly. This helps athletes get comfortable with the flow and sequence, ensuring a smooth performance. Run-throughs after choreography can also help build stamina and consistency.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Scale Back

At the beginning stages, focus on the key skills within each section. Don’t overwhelm athletes with too much choreography too soon. Watering things down and simplifying sequences will help athletes build confidence before refining the details.

4. Own the Responsibility for Cleaning the Routine

Once the choreography session is complete, the responsibility for cleaning and refining the routine shifts to you as the coach. While the choreographer is a resource, it’s up to you to ensure the routine is polished and executed at its best. Take time to break down each section slowly, focusing on correct technique and ensuring athletes have mastered each move before speeding up.

5. Focus on Technique and Confidence

After choreography, prioritize stunt technique, tumbling technique, and building overall team strength and confidence. Avoid getting too caught up in fine-tuning every movement. When athletes feel confident in their basic skills, they can execute the routine more successfully.

6. Manage Attendance and Consistency

Encourage full attendance at practice, as missed sessions can significantly hinder progress. Ensure athletes practice with proper technique, even outside of team training. A consistent practice routine will lead to smoother, more confident performances.

7. Post-Session Communication

Stay in touch with the choreographer to provide updates and ask for assistance or clarification if needed. We’re here to help you through the process, so don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for, managing, and following up on choreography sessions are key elements to creating a successful routine. As coaches, the more you prepare and communicate before, during, and after choreography sessions, the smoother the process will be, and the better your routine will turn out.

By following these tips, you’ll help your team achieve its full potential and create a routine that will impress on the competition floor.

See you on the mat!

Josh