In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton sits down with international cheerleading judge and educator Judge Mimi. They unpack what judges are actually looking for, why many coaches misunderstand the score sheet, and what judges wish they could say out loud—but can’t put in writing.

You’ll learn why “judging is inconsistent” is often a symptom of misunderstanding the system, how routine creativity really gets rewarded, why pyramid strategy and transitions matter more than most gyms think, and how different scoring systems (rubric vs comparative) change the way routines are built. They also talk about what makes routines feel “busy” versus effective, how to use judging feedback the right way, and what countries outside the U.S. are doing that American programs can learn from.

If you’re a cheer gym owner, all-star coach, choreographer, or program director who wants higher scores, clearer routines, and smarter competitive strategy, this conversation will change how you see judging.