The Simple Trick to Improve Your Cheerleading Practice Plan (and Score Higher) Right Now

Julie Olinger
7 days ago
4 min read

Listen, Coach. I know exactly where your head is at right now.

It’s pre-season. Summer camp is looming on the calendar like a giant, glittery question mark. You’ve got a roster of athletes with varying skill levels, a pile of new choreography to teach, and a "to-do" list that’s currently three pages long.

You’re probably walking into the gym with a million ideas, but by the time the music starts, it feels like you’re just treading water. We’ve all been there, running that one stunt sequence over and over until the athletes are exhausted, the energy is dead, and you realize you completely forgot to work on the pyramid.

Sound familiar?

The truth is, "winging it" or just "working hard" isn't what wins championships or keeps your sanity intact. What actually works is a system. And today, I’m giving you the one simple, "no-fluff" trick that will transform your practice efficiency and, more importantly, start boosting those scores before you even hit the competition floor.

The Problem: The "Good Enough" Trap

Most coaches fall into the same trap: we practice until we get a "hit," then we move on.

But a "hit" at 6:45 PM when everyone is relaxed is not the same as a "hit" under the pressure of a judge’s pen. When we don't plan for evaluation, we leave our scores up to chance.

We need to bridge the gap between learning the routine and performing the routine.

The Trick: The "10-Minute Evaluated Finish"

If you want to see immediate improvement in your team’s performance and your own peace of mind, you need to implement the 10-Minute Evaluated Finish.

It’s exactly what it sounds like. Regardless of what happened during the previous two hours of practice, the last 10 minutes are strictly for a scored, high-pressure run-through.

How It Works

Instead of ending practice with conditioning (which, let's be honest, usually ends in a lot of groaning and half-hearted mountain climbers), you end with a performance.

Set the Stage: Five minutes before the end of practice, stop everything. No more "one more time" reps.
The Setup: Have your athletes clear the floor, get their water, and take their starting positions as if they were backstage at a regional competition.
The Evaluation: Pull out your Ultimate Cheer Coach Planner or a printed competition rubric.
The Run: Play the music. Don't stop them. Don't yell corrections. Just watch and score.
The Brief: Give them their "score" and two specific things to fix for next time. Then, they’re out the door.

Why This Changes the Game

This isn't just about extra cardio. It’s about psychology and data.

It Builds "Performance Muscle": Athletes learn that it doesn't matter how tired they are; they have to perform.
It Gives You Data: When you track these "end-of-practice" scores in your Practice Prep tools, you’ll see exactly where the routine is stalling. Is the stunt score consistently low? Now you know where to focus tomorrow.
It Eliminates the "One More Time" Fatigue: Your team will work harder during the drill blocks because they know the "Evaluated Finish" is coming.

Seriously, once you start scoring your practices, you’ll wonder how you ever coached without it.

The "Clipboard-Ready" Implementation Steps

Ready to try this at your next practice? Here is how to make it happen without adding more stress to your plate.

1. Know Your Rubric

You can't score what you don't understand. Before practice, take 5 minutes to review the NFHS updates or your specific event producer's score sheet. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, check out our Ultimate Planning Checklist to make sure you aren't missing the basics.

2. Use the "Music Transition" Hack

To make room for that 10-minute finish, you need to find time elsewhere. Here’s a bonus trick: Use music for transitions.

Instead of shouting "Everyone to the mats!", just hit a specific song. The athletes have until the end of the chorus to be in their spots and ready to work. It saves about 5–8 minutes per practice, exactly the time you need for your evaluation!

3. Track It (Don't Lose the Data!)

Don't just scribble a score on a scrap of paper and throw it in your gym bag. Use a dedicated space in your Digital Cheer Coach Planner or a physical log to record these scores.

What to track each day:

Stunt Execution Score (1-10)
Pyramid Flow Score (1-10)
Overall Energy/Showmanship
Major Deductions (Falls, touches, etc.)

By the end of the week, you’ll have a clear map of your team’s progress. No more guessing. No more stressing. Just facts.

Moving from Chaos to Confidence

I know what you're thinking: "Julie, I barely have time to get through the choreo, let alone score it!"

I hear you. But think about it this way: Is it better to spend 2 hours doing "okay" reps, or 1 hour and 50 minutes of focused work followed by 10 minutes of high-stakes growth?

When we transition from being "drill sergeants" to "evaluators," we give our teams the tools they need to actually win. We move from the chaos of summer prep to the confidence of a team that knows exactly what they need to do to hit their goals.

If you’re looking for a way to keep all this organized: the rosters, the practice plans, and the score tracking: grab our Ultimate Cheer Coach Planner Bundle. It’s built specifically for us, the coaches who are juggling a million things and just need a system that actually works.

Let’s Do This, Coach!

You’ve got the skills, you’ve got the heart, and now you’ve got the trick. Start implementing the 10-Minute Evaluated Finish this week and watch your team’s focus shift.

You aren't just teaching a routine; you're building a powerhouse. And I’m right here in the trenches with you.

Go get 'em!

Coach Julie🎀

Want more tips? Check out these related posts: