Being a designated cheerleader

Here's the most important part of this post- how to be a great designated cheerleader.

First, can the judge be the designated cheerleader? At the games, no. At CFNYC, more often than not. If you are acting as both, remember your first priorities are standards of movement and count.

One more thing before I list, if you are not the designated cheerleader, just an encouraging spectator- yell, scream and curse, while respecting the athlete's plan. You are white noise, along with the Taylor Swift playing in the background. (Note: Julie Foucher listened to Mumford and Sons while doing 13.3.)

How to be the best designated cheerleader ever:

1. Know your athlete's strategy, help them stick to it.

2. Find out how your athlete likes to be encouraged. Some like just countdowns and time reminders, others need to be cursed out and spat on.

3. Learn your athlete's pace (fresh and fatigued) and help them push themselves as hard as they need to go. There is no such thing as 110%, you are only as strong as you are prepared.

4. Stay in the moment with your athlete. If you find out mid flight your plan is shit, be ready to call an audible. Your athlete is going to want to stop and pout, you can be composed enough to finish strong.

5. Encourage your athlete to breath and move well. Looking like shit in a workout is a symptom of screwing it up, not a necessary condition.

HAVE FUN.