Performance Breakdown: Key Highlights

1. Compulsory Tumbling (Period 1):
   • Blinn secured early wins with impressive toe tucks and standing layouts.
   • Navarro answered back with victories in standing hand tucks and round-off tucks, resulting in a tightly contested start.
2. Creative Building and Stunts (Period 2):
   • Both teams excelled in pyramid formations and stunt sequences, splitting wins across the heats.
   • The second period also featured basket tosses and creative elements, further challenging athletes to showcase both skill and artistry.
3. Final Compulsory Routine (Period 3):
   • The competition culminated in a one-minute compulsory routine, with Navarro narrowly edging out Blinn, 50-45.

The meet ended with Navarro scoring 154 points over Blinn’s 150, underscoring just how evenly matched these teams were throughout the event.

For cheer coaches and athletes nationwide, this shift offers new opportunities:

• Development of Endurance and Versatility: Athletes must now maintain energy and composure over extended periods and adjust in real-time.
• Increased Focus on Technique and Execution: The format rewards clean execution and strategic decision-making, fostering skill development across different areas of cheer.

• • Expanded Competitive Opportunities: Blinn’s coach expressed optimism about more NJCAA events being scheduled, opening the door for other programs to adopt the format and grow junior college cheer into a more structured sport.

Looking Ahead: A Growing Landscape

This first NJCAA meet sets a precedent for future competitions, potentially expanding the sport’s visibility and providing new pathways for student-athletes. Both Navarro and Blinn, with their storied NCA success, have proven that cheerleading at the junior college level can thrive in this evolving competitive landscape.

2. Building Versatility and Flexibility

Coaches should train athletes to handle multiple roles, such as switching between positions in pyramids and stunt sequences. Versatility ensures seamless transitions between heats and gives the team more flexibility to adapt to changes or injuries during competitions. Athletes performing as both bases and flyers can become key assets in ensuring smooth routine shifts.

• Role Assignments: Use grid systems to track athlete participation across heats and avoid overloading individuals, ensuring they can perform optimally throughout the event.
• Skill Assessments: Evaluate each athlete’s strengths in tumbling, stunts, and pyramids before the season, giving you a strategic advantage when assigning routines.

3. Maintaining Focus Through Mental Preparation

Multi-round competitions demand more mental stamina from athletes. Coaches can use visualization techniques and breathing exercises to help athletes stay focused and calm during breaks between heats. Group mindfulness sessions during practice can also foster mental resilience, keeping athletes sharp for every round.

• Pre-Performance Rituals: Establish routines to reduce anxiety and ensure athletes remain focused between heats.
• Visualization: Encourage athletes to mentally rehearse routines during downtime, envisioning each heat as a new opportunity to excel.