If Cheer Had Instant Replay

Because sometimes Dad needs another look at that.

I've watched enough football in my life to appreciate instant replay. Other than the price, food, and company, it’s a primary reason to catch the game from your favorite personal relaxation device.

If a touchdown was questionable, let’s run it back. I’m pretty sure his knee hit before the ball crossed the line. I want multiple views, all in slow motion, and give me a minute to take it all in. 

Was that pass interference? We're going to need Gene Steratore.

Instant replay is a good system, and we leverage it with so many competitive sports. Which raises an important question:

Should we have instant replay in cheer? Because I have questions - lots of questions. And I believe the technology exists to answer them. 

Obviously, the down side is the amount of time it would add to the day, and our (already)12 hour days would pretty much be cast into infinity. But that’s not fun to think about, so let’s keep this positive, ok? Entertain me for a bit.

Let’s Go Back to the Tape

Picture it. Your son or daughter's team finishes their routine. You're standing there applauding, trying to process everything that just happened in approximately two and a half minutes.

Then the broadcast cuts to the booth.

"We're going to take another look at that opening stunt sequence."

Finally. Someone understands me. Roll the tape.

"Watch the left side of your screen here, Jim."

Freeze it. Zoom in. Enhance.

"You can see the flyer loses her balance slightly, but the bases do a tremendous job recovering."

Now we're talking.

Give Me the Telestrator

Football analysts get to draw all over the screen, and I want that too. Circle the stunt group…draw an arrow toward the back spot…

"Watch the back spot right here."

Another circle.

"She's going to make a great adjustment."

Now draw six completely unnecessary lines across the screen while explaining something everyone already saw. That's professional sports analysis. And I want it for cheer.

By the end of the replay, the screen should look like John Madden attacked it with a yellow marker after his second pot of coffee.

We Need a Rules Analyst

Every football broadcast has someone they bring in when nobody understands what just happened, and cheer desperately needs this person.

"Let's bring in our rules analyst."

Yes. Please. Because somebody near me just said there might have been a deduction, and suddenly 14 parents are conducting independent investigations. You know how we all become professionals by the second competition our kid has ever competed in… The sarcasm was heavy there.

"From the angle we're seeing, her knee may have made contact with the mat."

The entire parent section goes silent.

"However..."

Nobody breathes.

"I don't believe the judges had a clear view."

LET'S GO.

I don't know who this fictional rules analyst is (though I have ideas on some very interesting suggestions), but I trust them completely.

The Cheer Dad Challenge Flag

This is where things get interesting.

Each Cheer Dad receives one challenge flag per competition. Use it wisely.

You cannot challenge scores simply because you disagree with them. That's how we end up here until Tuesday, and you would probably lose your Cheer Dad card. But you can challenge important competition matters.

"Cheer Dad Chris is challenging whether awards actually begin at 7:00."

Excellent challenge.

After further review: They do not.

Awards will begin at 8:43.

The ruling on the schedule has been overturned and Chris retains his timeout.

The Injury Report

Sports broadcasts have injury reports and cheer could have something similar.

Not for the athletes, but for the parents.

"We've received an update from the sideline. Cheer Dad Jermaine in Section 114 is questionable to return after four hours on aluminum bleachers."

It’s a lower back injury, and we’ll take it day-to-day.

Meanwhile, another dad is being evaluated after carrying three suitcases, two backpacks and a Yeti from the parking garage. He is expected to compete.

Let’s Go Down to the Sideline

We need sideline reporters.

"We're here with Geoff following a huge performance. Geoff, what did you see out there?"

Well, I thought the opening looked strong. Stunts hit. Energy was good. I couldn't actually see the pyramid because a man stood up directly in front of me. But overall, really proud of them.

"Thanks, Geoff."

Absolutely. Now somebody tell me where we're eating.

The Halftime Show

There technically isn't halftime in cheer and we should fix that.

After approximately four hours inside the venue, the broadcast cuts away.

"We'll step aside for a quick halftime break."

Dad immediately heads for:

Coffee.

Food.

Bathroom.

Phone charger.

Possibly outside just to remember what fresh air feels like.

We return in 30, unless somebody texts: "Awards got moved up."

Then Dad records a 4.38 forty-yard dash through the convention center. This is an all-time personal best.

The Advanced Analytics

Modern sports have statistics for everything, and Cheer Dad Analytics would be incredible.

DAD PERFORMANCE DASHBOARD

Coffee Consumed: 3

Steps: 14,782

Backpacks Carried: 2

Jackets Currently Holding: 7

Money Spent Since 6 AM: Data Unavailable

Phone Battery: 14%

Times Asked "When Are Awards?": 6

Times Given Accurate Answer: 0

But there's one statistic everybody is waiting for.

Hit Zero: YES

The analytics department confirms it. It was a great day.

The Post-Comp Press Conference

After the competition, reporters gather around Travis.

"Long day today. How do you think you performed?"

I thought I managed the backpack pretty well. My coffee execution was strong early. We had some issues locating food in the second half, but ultimately pulled through. Photography continues to be an area of concern, but overall, I'm proud of the effort.

"Any adjustments before tomorrow?"

Absolutely. More coffee. Portable charger. Different shoes.

"And the team?"

They were incredible.

Upon Further Review

Maybe cheer doesn't actually need instant replay. The parents would abuse it. The competition would last 19 hours. Every stunt would be reviewed from eight angles. Someone would challenge a deduction at 11:47 PM.

And Cheer Dads would absolutely become the guys sitting in the stands saying:

"I don't know, Bob. I think that gets overturned."

So maybe we're better off without it. Still...

Every once in a while, I'll watch a routine and hear someone behind me say:

"Was that a bobble?"

And instinctively I think:

Run it back.

— Cody
Cheer Dad & Founder, Cheer Dads