Whether you’re a first-year coach, a seasoned veteran, or a parent navigating the world of youth cheerleading and dance, Youth! There It Is... is your go-to resource for everything youth cheer.
Hosted by YCADA Rules & Scoring Directors Katey and Lisa, each episode brings decades of experience, practical advice, and insider knowledge straight from two of the industry’s most respected voices. From rules, scoring, and competition strategy to practice planning, choreography, skill development, fundraising, team culture, parent communication, and everything in between, no topic is off limits!
You’ll gain valuable insights, hear real-world coaching stories, get answers to common questions, and walk away with tools you can immediately put into practice. Whether your goal is building stronger athletes, creating a positive team culture, or simply becoming a more confident coach, Youth! There It Is is here to help you every step of the way.
On this episode of Youth! There It Is, Lisa and Katey welcome Robin Coe from Double Good to talk all things fundraising for youth cheer and dance programs! With decades of experience in the industry, Robin shares practical tips for setting fundraising goals, motivating athletes and coaches, avoiding fundraising fatigue, and using social media to maximize results.
From creative team incentives and strategic planning to last-minute fundraising for national championships, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help programs raise the money they need while building community and keeping families engaged. Plus, Robin shares how virtual fundraising can make the process easier, faster, and more accessible for everyone.
Whether you're a coach, league director, or parent looking for new fundraising ideas, this episode is full of tips to help your program succeed!
11 Oct 2026
Comp Season Is Here!
The questions are rolling in, and Katey and Lisa are breaking it all down! 🎙️
In this special episode of Youth! There It Is, the ladies tackle common rules and scoring questions from the competition season, covering everything from stunt legality and transitions to tumbling requirements, jumps, and dismounts. Tune in for practical tips, scoring insights, and reminders to help you choreograph confidently, compete strategically, and keep athlete safety a priority!
3 Oct 2026
Sideline Cheer with one of the West Coast's Best! ft. Erica Alcaraz
Sideline performance is more than just a routine — it’s about leading the crowd, bringing the energy, and building confident athletes! 📣 In this episode of Youth! There It Is, Lisa and Katey break down YCADA’s sideline performance rules and scoring, covering everything from stunts, tumbling, and props to crowd engagement and vocal projection. Then, they’re joined by Erica Alcaraz of the Whittier Redskins to talk about her 25 years in youth cheer, how she approaches sideline versus show cheer, creative ways to bring routines to life, and tips for building confident, enthusiastic athletes. Tune in for practical coaching advice, fresh ideas, and plenty of sideline spirit!
26 Sept 2026
Dance!
It’s time to dance! In this episode of Youth, There It Is, Katey and Lisa dive into all things youth dance, breaking down the differences between Palm, Hip Hop, and Theme and what judges are really looking for in each category. They also cover important routine guidelines, scoring updates, props and costuming, jewelry and safety rules, acro and airborne skills, lifts and partnering, and how to use the score sheet to build stronger routines. Whether you’re a coach, choreographer, or judge, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you understand the rules, choreograph with intention, and make your dance routines stand out.
19 Sept 2026
How to Make your 5-6-7-8s Great! ft. Brantley Jittu
Katey and Lisa welcome choreographer, coach, and cheer industry veteran Brantley Jittu for a deep dive into youth cheer choreography, smart routine construction, and making the most of limited practice time. Brantley shares practical tips on reading the rubric, developing athletes at every skill level, building strategic routines, and turning training time into meaningful progress—all while keeping the passion and spirit of youth cheer at the heart of it all.
12 Sept 2026
Coordinator Spotlight - Building & Maintaining a Successful Program ft. Holly Geronimo
What does it take to build a successful youth cheer program—and keep it thriving year after year? In this episode of Youth! There It Is, Katey and Lisa sit down with Holly Geronimo, longtime Brick Cheer coordinator and newly appointed New Jersey American Youth Football and Cheer commissioner. Holly shares her journey from youth cheerleader to program leader, the strategies that helped Brick Cheer become a powerhouse program, and what she’s learned about balancing competitive cheer, game-day responsibilities, budgets, volunteers, delegation, and the needs of more than 160 athletes. From making cheer an equal partner to football to building a strong team culture and learning when to let go, this conversation is packed with real-world insight, leadership lessons, and plenty of cheer-world wisdom.
5 Sept 2026
Coaching in Underserved Communities ft. Mario Gates
In this episode of Youth! There It Is, Katey and Lisa welcome guest, Mario Gates, for an important conversation about youth cheerleading in underserved communities. Mario shares his experiences coaching and working with athletes across the country, the financial and resource barriers many families and programs face, and how cheerleading can provide confidence, community, mentorship, and a safe space for young athletes. The conversation also explores representation, athlete development, supporting coaches, and how those within the cheer community can give back and help create more opportunities for everyone.
30 Aug 2026
Scoring - Making Every 8-Count Count!
What really makes the difference between a good score and a great one? Lisa and Katey break down comparative scoring, skill volume, execution, and the often-overlooked overall categories. They dive into choreography, transitions, motions, dance, and performance—and explain why these areas can be the difference between winning and losing by just a few tenths.
Plus, they tackle common scoring questions and share strategies coaches can use to maximize every point on the score sheet.
22 Aug 2026
Rules is Rules – Cheer Edition
In this episode, Katey & Lisa do a deep dive into Youth Cheer Rules – From L1 to L4, they cover it all! Grab a snack & a drink because it's time to lock in!
15 Aug 2026
Coordinator Spotlight - Cheer Coordinator's 101 ft. Gabrielle Ford
In this episode of Youth! There It Is, Lisa and Katey sit down with youth cheer coordinator Gaby Ford to talk about what it really takes to build and maintain a successful cheer program. Gaby shares practical advice on staying organized, communicating with coaches and parents, planning ahead, and knowing when to step back from the day-to-day coaching to focus on the bigger picture. They also discuss managing parent involvement, developing coaches, and creating the strong foundation every program needs to grow and succeed.
8 Aug 2026
Into The Great Unknown
This week on Youth! There It Is, Lisa and Katey tackle the exciting—and sometimes overwhelming—journey of becoming a youth cheer coach. From staying organized and communicating effectively to building trust with athletes, advocating for their success, and navigating parents, they share practical advice and personal stories from decades of coaching experience. Whether you're a first-year volunteer or a seasoned coach, this episode is packed with encouragement, leadership tips, and reminders that great coaching is about developing confident young athletes, creating lasting memories, and building a village that helps every child succeed.
1 Aug 2026
Welcome to the Podcast!
Welcome to YOUTH! There It Is, the podcast hosted by Katey Choate and Lisa Borzotta! In this kickoff episode, you'll get to know Katey and Lisa as they share their backgrounds, what inspired them to create a podcast just for youth cheerleading and dance coaches, and what you can expect this season. From coaching tips and real-life stories to plenty of laughs along the way, this is just the beginning. Grab your favorite drink, hit play, and get ready for a season packed with fun, inspiration, and all things Youth Cheer & Dance!
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5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
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