Most teams are chasing perfection… but the programs winning RIGHT NOW are chasing something deeper.

In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush breaks down the biggest global stages in the industry, the ICU World Cheerleading Championships and USASF Dance Worlds, and why these events are quietly reshaping the future of dance teams and “performance cheer”.

From Team USA’s dominance to the rise of international programs leveling up FAST, this episode dives into how choreography, storytelling, and athletic innovation are setting the tone for the next era of competition.

Then, Kyle sits down with Jesse Hernandez, head coach of University of Louisiana Ragin Jazz, to unpack the real formula behind championship-winning routines. It’s not just about difficulty, it’s about connection, authenticity, and creating moments that actually move people.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.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:

0:00 — DANCE WORLDS + ICU WORLDS BREAKDOWN + Jesse Hernandez JOINS THE SHOW
0:27 — DTU SUMMER CAMPS ARE HERE: WHY THIS IS A MUST FOR YOUR TEAM
1:41 — TEAM USA DOMINATES ICU WORLDS: HOW THE USA CONTINUES TO SET THE GLOBAL STANDARD
5:12 — UNLV: I’m Sorry.
6:31 — TEAM USA LIGHT-UP SHIRTS: WHO MADE THE CALL?!
7:43 — WHY THE USA CONTROLS TRENDS IN DANCE (AND NO ONE IS CLOSE)
11:46 — “PERFORMANCE CHEER” EXPLAINED: WHAT ARE WE ACTUALLY CALLING THIS SPORT?!
13:45 — USASF DANCE WORLDS HOT TAKE: WE NEED TO TALK…
16:02 — MAY CONTENT TAKEOVER: WHAT’S COMING NEXT FOR NO COUNTS GIVEN
18:02 — SHARPEN UP SUMMIT: WILL I SEE YOU THERE?!
19:12 — DANCE TEAM SUPPLY: PREPARE YOUR TEAM FOR SUCCESS
19:45 — INTERVIEW: JESSE HERNANDEZ ON STORYTELLING, WINNING, AND BUILDING CHAMPIONS

🔗 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

In this episode, Coach Annie Rose Carroll takes us inside the rise of Baylor Dance, from her transition into coaching to building a program that’s both competitive and culture-driven. But this conversation doesn’t stop at Baylor…

We’re also diving into some of the most talked-about conversations in the dance team world right now — from division shakeups to the pressure being placed on dancers earlier than ever.

This one balances insight, honesty, and a little bit of chaos… exactly how we like it.

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:

0:00 – WE’RE NOT HOLDING BACK 👀
4:47 – DANCE TEAM UNION 🔥
5:58 – REBEL ATHLETIC 💎
7:10 – ANNIE ROSE CARROLL JOINS 🐻
20:43 – SHARPEN UP 💪
21:50 – DANCE TEAM SUPPLY ✨
22:22 – BACK WITH ANNIE 🔥
34:28 – BLIND ITEMS 👀
43:31 – OUTRO 🎤

🔗 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

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