Technology Meets Cheerleading

Imagine facial recognition becoming a standard procedure at cheer competitions or judges pausing routines to inspect safety violations. Such state-of-the-art technology is already accessible.

Technology will significantly shape the future of cheerleading. As the sport evolves, so do advancements in the judging process, driven in part by innovative technology and scoring systems.

One system poised to revolutionize the field is “Cheer Replay” by Cheer Technologies.

Introduced in April 2016, Cheer Replay is a “video review system that offers slow motion, pause, rewind, zoom, hand drawings, and the marking of safety/deductions with notes from judges,” explained Tim O’Brien, Cheer Technologies’ founder and CEO. “This system features different workstations: one for each deduction judge, one for each safety judge, terminals for score checks, one for social media, and one for the three-minute delay backstage.”

The computer-assisted judging provides full HD recording and playback capabilities, allowing officials to pinpoint specific moments in a routine for further review. Moreover, it offers real-time communication capabilities to coaches.

O’Brien, a seasoned media production expert, also leads RT Productions in Modesto, CA, specializing in videography, photography, and programming. RT Productions has collaborated with renowned event producers, including JAMZ, Varsity, the Open Championships Series, and more.

After extensive production experience with RT, O’Brien identified a gap in replay facilities on the cheerleading judges’ platform. Over the last seven years, he has refined the replay system, addressing the industry’s needs.

O’Brien recalls, “The concept for a revamped judging system stemmed from observing the struggles of safety judges and Event Producers (EPs) during score checks. The prevalent approach had several flaws, especially with video delays, recording issues, or technical glitches. We consulted judges to discern their needs. We began constructing the system four years ago, but only felt its readiness for actual cheer events this year.”

O’Brien emphasizes that the stability of the system is paramount. After successful beta tests at events last year, including the significant Future Cheer International in the UK, he believes they’ve finally nailed it.

O’Brien’s system bridges the communication gap between judges and coaches. Previously, coaches were informed of deductions but couldn’t pinpoint their origins, leading to confusion and frustration. With Cheer Replay, coaches receive video clips highlighting exact violations, simplifying the review process.

Interestingly, Cheer Replay doesn’t only flag violations but also celebrates positive moments. “For social media, you can highlight exceptional tumbling passes or impressive stunt sequences and post them directly to platforms like Twitter and Facebook,” O’Brien added.

The new system may also minimize biases. O’Brien believes the system enhances customer service and serves as a valuable tool for training judges, allowing them to learn from their decisions. Training judges on the Cheer Replay system is quick and efficient, often completed within just 10 minutes.

Designed with safety in mind, O’Brien views the USASF as the benchmark for safety standards. Cheer Replay has incorporated features beneficial for the federation, such as marking injuries and potentially sharing this data with the USASF.

David Owens of Rockstar Championships praised, “Cheer Replay is transforming the cheerleading world. It streamlines communication with coaches, saving time and reducing misunderstandings.”

O’Brien is optimistic about technology’s role in cheerleading. He’s been inspired by innovations in sports like surfing and sees potential for devices that monitor speed, angles, and other metrics. “We’re implementing facial recognition for counting athletes on the floor and are exploring other functionalities,” he added.

Moreover, this technology holds promise for other sports. O’Brien believes that for cheerleading to gain wider recognition, perhaps even as an Olympic sport, tools like Cheer Replay are essential. Already, their Routine Replay system has made its way to some USA Gymnastics events, and discussions are underway with the surfing industry.

As competition cheerleading continues its evolution, the integration of technology, driven by groundbreaking products like Cheer Replay, will play a pivotal role.