Rochester isn’t just winning titles… They're building a legacy. In this episode, we sit down with Coach Lisa Niskar to unpack the evolution of one of the most dominant programs in the game. From a COVID-era rebuild to becoming a national powerhouse, this conversation dives into the culture, discipline, and intentionality that fuel Rochester’s success. We talk about injuries, pressure, leadership, and what it really takes to be an elite athlete. Plus, a candid look at coaching dynamics, team identity, and what’s next as the program continues to reload and redefine the standard.

We also break down some of the biggest conversations in the industry right now, including Cheer Athletics hitting the global stage on Britain’s Got Talent, Kyle’s response to Stage 8 addressing claims that his reporting was “misleading and false,” and a dive into the latest Rebel Athletic look book.
We couldn’t do this without our sponsors, thank you.

Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com
Rebel Athletic | www.rebelathleticdance.com
Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com
Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com
Follow No Counts Given on all social media platforms @nocountsgiven and follow our host, Kyle Rush, on all platforms @itskylerush

00:00 – Pom on National TV?! Dance Teams Hit the Mainstream
2:23 – Ad: Dance Team Union Summer Camps
4:01 – I Went to Canada & Met the LSU Tiger Girls
8:07 – Pom on Britain’s Got Talent?! Dance Teams Go Global
9:19 – My Response to Stage 8 Calling My Reporting “Misleading & False”
18:11 – Meet Lisa Niskar: Rochester Varsity Dance Coach
18:44 – Ad: Rebel Athletic Dance
19:57 – Inside Rochester’s Championship Program with Lisa Niskar
36:51 – Ad: Rebel Athletic Look Book Drop
41:10 – Building a Dynasty: Rochester’s Culture, Training & Success
1:06:52 – Like, Comment & Subscribe for More Dance Team Content

Rebel vs. Varsity and the Industry Power Plays No One Can Ignore. In this episode, we break down the growing tension between Varsity and Rebel, the business moves shaping today’s cheerleading and dance landscape, and the bigger conversations the industry keeps dancing around. From event access and branding power to the real purpose of novice, intermediate, and advanced divisions, this is an honest look at how competition structure, company politics, and outdated systems can impact athlete growth, fairness, and the overall experience for coaches, teams, and families.

We couldn’t do this without our sponsors, thank you.

Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com
Rebel Athletic | www.rebelathleticdance.com
Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com
Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com

Follow No Counts Given on all social media platforms @nocountsgiven and follow our host, Kyle Rush, on all platforms  @itskylerush ​

Four DTU Nationals coaches pull back the curtain on what really goes down behind the scenes at one of the biggest events in the dance team world. From emotional highs and crushing lows to tough conversations about scoring transparency, judging consistency, and division structure, this roundtable gets real about the competition experience. The coaches break down everything from registration chaos and venue logistics to the pressure teams face on and off the floor, while also tackling bigger industry questions about favoritism, social media influence, and how scoring sheets are actually interpreted. It’s an honest, unfiltered look at the realities of competing at DTU Nationals and the lessons teams, coaches, and event producers can take moving forward. 🎙️

We couldn’t do this without our sponsors, thank you. 

Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com
Rebel Athletic | www.rebelathleticdance.com
Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com
Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com 

Follow No Counts Given on all social media platforms @nocountsgiven and follow our host, Kyle Rush, on all platforms @itskylerush

On this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush breaks down several conversations currently circulating across the dance team industry.

We examine the 75/25 Day 1 vs Day 2 scoring split, the expanding OneBeat and Varsity partnership, and UDA’s proposal to restructure the Open division at College Nationals. We also look at the Hip Hop scoring conversation that emerged after Nationals and what it reveals about judging panels, score consistency, and how placements shift between rounds. Plus, we cover the latest developments from the International Dance League (IDL).

We couldn’t do this without our sponsors, thank you. 

Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com
Rebel Athletic | www.rebelathleticdance.com
Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com
Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com 

Follow No Counts Given on all social media platforms @nocountsgiven and follow our host, Kyle Rush, on all platforms @itskylerush 

⏱️ Chapters: 

:00  - IT’S MY BIRTHDAY & I GOT MY PHONE STOLEN AGAIN! 

12:51 - DANCE TEAM UNION SUMMER CAMPS ARE HERE!

14:10 - REBEL ATHLETIC DANCE COSTUMES!

15:17 - NO COUNTS GIVEN: BLIND ITEM INTRO

16:07 - BLIND ITEM #1: 25% 75% SPLITS ARE A SCAM

22:07 - BLIND ITEM #2: ONE BEAT AND VARSITY PARTNERSHIP

43:17 - BLIND ITEM #3: UDA IS CHANGING THEIR OPEN DIVISION?!

46:27 - BLIND ITEM #4: HIP HOP SCORING CONTROVERSY 

49:58 - DANCE TEAM SUPPLY, MADE FOR YOU!

50:27 - WHAT IN THE IDL IS GOING ON?!

57:39 - CLOSING, SEE YOU THURSDAY! 

🔗 Relevant Tags:

nationals season, road to nationals, dance team analysis, judges perspective, dance breakdowns, competitive dance talk, elite dance training, performance quality, intentional choreography, dance team culture, college dance insights, high school dance teams, all-star dance training, pom technique, hip hop judging, dance education, behind the scores, dance media commentary

#NationalsSeason #RoadToNationals #DanceTeamAnalysis #JudgesPerspective #DanceBreakdown #CompetitiveDanceTalk #EliteDanceTraining #PerformanceQuality #IntentionalChoreography #DanceTeamCulture #CollegeDanceInsights #HighSchoolDanceTeams #AllStarDanceTraining #PomTechnique #HipHopJudging #DanceEducation #BehindTheScores #DanceMedia

Our FINAL coverage episode for 2026 DTU Nationals! Stay tuned for next week, we have some 🔥 coming to NCG.

We couldn’t do this without our sponsors, thank you. 

Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com

Rebel Athletic | www.rebelathleticdance.com

Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com

Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com

The Battle at DTU Nationals is on full display. In this episode of No Counts Given, we’re putting some of the weekend’s top routines head-to-head and letting you decide who takes the win.

No score breakdowns. No judging analysis. Just the routines.

Kyle Rush showcases the standout performances from this division and turns it into a challenge for the audience: Who actually won The Battle? Watch the routines, compare the performances, and lock in your prediction before the results are revealed.

We couldn’t do this without our sponsors, thank you. 

Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com
Rebel Athletic | www.rebelathleticdance.com

🔥 MAJOR THANK YOU to our sponsors! Show some love to Rebel Athletic, Dance Team Supply & Sharpen Up Dance Team Training and let them know No Counts Given sent you!No Counts Given is excited to partner with Rebel Athletic — one of the fastest-growing names in the dance industry. Known for delivering show-stopping costumes to some of the biggest teams in the nation, Rebel creates custom looks for every style, every vision, and every budget. If you're ready to take your team's presence to the next level, it's time to experience the Rebel Difference. www.rebelathleticdance.comWe want to send a huge thank you and all our love to Sharpen Up Dance Team Training — a team-first dance training and consulting company that’s helping dancers, coaches, and families level up across the dance world! From individualized technique training and year-round team development to recruiting events, choreography support, and online courses, Sharpen Up brings passion, precision, and purpose to everything they do. https://www.sharpenupdtt.com/Today’s episode is proudly supported by Dance Team Supply, a go-to resource for dance teams, studios, and programs across the country. From accessories to practice essentials designed specifically for team training, Dance Team Supply understands the demands of the dance team world, because they’re built for it. Whether you’re gearing up for competition season, looking to elevate your team’s look, or need reliable basics that hold up through long rehearsals, they’ve got you covered. Be sure to check them out and explore everything they offer at danceteamsupply.com.

In this episode of No Counts Given, Amanda Gaines pulls back the curtain on Minnesota’s emotional nationals run... and we’re not keeping it surface level. We’re talking co-ed divisions. The jazz vs. lyrical debate that refuses to die. Judging transparency and whether teams truly trust the system. The mental toll media attention brings. And yes… the real story behind a Netflix documentary. This is about legacy, leadership, and choosing team over headlines. If you care about where dance team is headed, this conversation is mandatory listening.🔥 MAJOR THANK YOU to our sponsors! Show some love to Rebel Athletic, Dance Team Union & Sharpen Up Dance Team Training and let them know No Counts Given sent you!No Counts Given is excited to partner with Rebel Athletic — one of the fastest-growing names in the dance industry. Known for delivering show-stopping costumes to some of the biggest teams in the nation, Rebel creates custom looks for every style, every vision, and every budget. If you're ready to take your team's presence to the next level, it's time to experience the Rebel Difference. www.rebelathleticdance.comWe want to send a huge thank you and all our love to Sharpen Up Dance Team Training — a team-first dance training and consulting company that’s helping dancers, coaches, and families level up across the dance world! From individualized technique training and year-round team development to recruiting events, choreography support, and online courses, Sharpen Up brings passion, precision, and purpose to everything they do. https://www.sharpenupdtt.com/Today’s episode is proudly supported by Dance Team Supply, a go-to resource for dance teams, studios, and programs across the country. From accessories to practice essentials designed specifically for team training, Dance Team Supply understands the demands of the dance team world, because they’re built for it. Whether you’re gearing up for competition season, looking to elevate your team’s look, or need reliable basics that hold up through long rehearsals, they’ve got you covered. Be sure to check them out and explore everything they offer at danceteamsupply.com.

In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush breaks down the energy building toward Dance Team Union Nationals, spotlighting three routines already sparking conversation before teams even hit the floor. From Pasco's explosive, texture-driven hip hop to Bingham’s precision-packed jazz and Floyd Central’s legacy-defining pom, this episode digs into what separates contenders from champions. 🔥 MAJOR THANK YOU to our sponsors! Show some love to Rebel Athletic, Dance Team Union & Sharpen Up Dance Team Training and let them know No Counts Given sent you!No Counts Given is excited to partner with Rebel Athletic — one of the fastest-growing names in the dance industry. Known for delivering show-stopping costumes to some of the biggest teams in the nation, Rebel creates custom looks for every style, every vision, and every budget. If you're ready to take your team's presence to the next level, it's time to experience the Rebel Difference. www.rebelathleticdance.comAre you registered for The Rankings, Regionals, or Nationals yet? 👀 Don’t miss your shot to compete at one of the biggest dance team events of the season. Head to www.danceteamunion.com and get registered ASAP. This is a season you do not want to miss. 💥 www.danceteamunion.com

If you’ve ever felt invisible at a recruitment event, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush sits down with Rani and Lindsey, co founders of Sharpen Up, to pull back the curtain on the dance recruitment system and why it only seems to work for about 10% of dancers. Together, they unpack how Sharpen Up has spent season after season intentionally building events where every dancer is seen, coached, and supported rather than lost in overcrowded ballrooms or flashy promises.

From mentorship and injury prevention to the reality of recruiting videos, parent education, and the role of transparency in a broken pipeline, this conversation challenges the bigger is better mindset and asks a harder question are we actually preparing dancers for success or just selling access?

If you care about sustainable training, honest recruitment, and a healthier dance community, this is a must listen.🔥 MAJOR THANK YOU to our sponsors! Show some love to Dance Team Supply, Dance Team Union & Sharpen Up Dance Team Training and let them know No Counts Given sent you!Are you registered for The Rankings, Regionals, or Nationals yet? 👀 Don’t miss your shot to compete at one of the biggest dance team events of the season. Head to www.danceteamunion.com and get registered ASAP. This is a season you do not want to miss. 💥 www.danceteamunion.comWe want to send a huge thank you and all our love to Sharpen Up Dance Team Training — a team-first dance training and consulting company that’s helping dancers, coaches, and families level up across the dance world! From individualized technique training and year-round team development to recruiting events, choreography support, and online courses, Sharpen Up brings passion, precision, and purpose to everything they do. https://www.sharpenupdtt.com/

Today’s episode is proudly supported by Dance Team Supply, a go-to resource for dance teams, studios, and programs across the country. From accessories to practice essentials designed specifically for team training, Dance Team Supply understands the demands of the dance team world, because they’re built for it. Whether you’re gearing up for competition season, looking to elevate your team’s look, or need reliable basics that hold up through long rehearsals, they’ve got you covered. Be sure to check them out and explore everything they offer at danceteamsupply.com.

🔗 Relevant Tags:nationals season, road to nationals, dance team analysis, judges perspective, dance breakdowns, competitive dance talk, elite dance training, performance quality, intentional choreography, dance team culture, college dance insights, high school dance teams, all-star dance training, pom technique, hip hop judging, dance education, behind the scores, dance media commentary