What is that judge THINKING? Coaches, athletes and parents commonly ask this question after every competition, and we are sure to hear it at this weekend's Spirit Celebration Christmas Classic. Judges go through an intensive testing and credentialing system to ensure that their judging is consistent across the board from event to event. Nevertheless each judge has a style they prefer, their own pet peeves and a perspective uniquely their own. Donna Snyder, a 27 year veteran in the world of judging let us pick her brain and find out what she and many other judges are thinking about YOUR routine.

Photo: Donna Snyder

Tell us about your credentials and your background regarding cheer and judging?
I have been judging cheer competitions since 1989, when I was a cheerleader in College. I am a former UCA camp instructor and college camp staff member. I also spent six years as the UCA Ohio state representative so I have a strong background in cheer. I was active in the industry when all star cheerleading came to be so, as a judge, I have grown up with the sport. I have judged at the Regional, National and International levels. I have had the pleasure of being on the judging panel at WORLDS, THE SUMMIT, and the ICU World Championships. Being a judge for the ICU, International Cheer Union, has taken me to Malaysia, Scotland, New Zealand, and Australia. This past September, I went through an intense training to be a credentialed judge for Varsity Spirit Brands. 

We know a judge's day can be very long...at the end of one of those marathon days what can a team do to separate themselves and stand out from all the other teams in their division? 
Executing a SOLID routine with choreography that flows seamlessly. A routine that highlights the necessary elements, making it easy for the judge to see that all requirements are met.

Regarding uniforms - does a team's look affect your overall impression of a team?
It can enhance the routine, clean lines can add to visual elements and accentuate the choreography. However, the uniform, the hairstyle, or the type of bow, will not have a negative effect on the overall - at least in my point of view.  I just want to see a team CONFIDENT in the uniform they are wearing.

What is the most common mistake that you see choreographers make? 
I feel there are two common mistakes. First - the routine is choreographed outside of the teams level of expertise, they are trying to execute skills above their ability level.  Second - the routine is not completely choreographed. There needs to be flow to each transition between elements whether it's side roll transitions, arm movements, or walkovers to get to the next formation. Add variety, not just walking.

The scoring rubric is long and detailed and with so many requirements it's hard to find the eight counts to be creative. Do you have any suggestions on fitting in creativity to enhance crowd appeal?
If you are creative, you can create a visual routine within the scope of the rubric. Have continuous movements - use every count you can to create a story on the floor. Use lower level skills to add variety. Instead of going straight up to a stunt, use a lower level skill to add excitement getting into the stunt. This adds variety and would be more creative than a basic load in. Same goes for tumbling, combine skills to boost the visual and excitement of the pass. Click here to see USASF Scoring Rubric.

When teams fall or miss a stunt, is there a chance they can still place?  
ABSOLUTELY!!!  As panel judges, we are scoring what is executed on the floor. We are rewarding points for completed elements. There are straight deductions for falls.  A fall or missed stunt will not always knock a team out of the running. Click here to see USASF deductions

Is there anything that you frequently see from teams that you honestly wish they would leave out or eliminate?  
Choreography that is too difficult for the ability level of the team. Weigh the differences between difficulty and technique scores.  Also, overly suggestive choreography for the age group.  A youth team should do a dance that is appropriate for their age, not the same type of choreography as a senior team.

Obviously judges have different tastes in music but is there a certain type of music you DO or do NOT want to hear?  What role does music play in a routine in your opinion?
Music plays a STRONG role in the routine. It sets the pace and flow of the entire routine!  The musicality needs to enhance the story being told in the routine. And only use music enhancements, sound effects/voice overs, when appropriate. Too many sound enhancements can take away from the routine.

What's your take on routine themes?  Do you like them?  Do you understand them?  
I LOVE a well thought out and executed theme!  One that tells the story effectively! Just make sure the music flows well together, this will help to sell the routine!

Is there anything that you see teams do that makes you want to cover your eyes?
Forced tumbling would be my number one thing. It's scary to watch attempted skills that could end in injury.  Focus more on technique and safety when it comes to tumbling. This will please the judges.

In all your years of judging - is there a specific routine or routines that you could watch over and over?
YES!  There are several Top Gun, World Cup, and Stingrays routines. But one of my favorites would be World Cup, their Lola/Copacabana routine!  It had amazing flow and energy!

Do you have any suggestions on how to best prepare a team for the competition floor and especially a two day event?
Work hard in practice so there is consistency on the competition floor. Practice makes perfect-but it also teaches muscle memory, and you need that on competition day! That will help to make the cheerleaders look athletic on the floor and not winded. This type of conditioning will help when there is an error and you need to recover the skill. Go out expecting it to hit, and if it doesn't, know how to recover.  

What is your number one piece of advice for coaches?

KNOW THE SCORESHEET!  And know how to maximize each part, within your team’s ability level.  And I would also say to REMAIN POSITIVE and know how to motivate each type of athlete.