Competition Cleaning
Move from individual skill correction to team-wide uniformity. Competition cleaning means identifying the layer that is visually inconsistent, isolating it, agreeing one standard and rebuilding the section until timing, body position, spacing and performance read as one team.
Clean One Layer at a Time
A routine rarely looks messy because of one problem.
Timing, feet, arms, body lines, spacing, stunt positions, transitions and performance can all contribute.
Coaches should decide which layer matters most, clean that layer and then add the next.
Trying to fix every visible difference in one run usually gives athletes too much information to apply.
Recommended Cleaning Order
Timing
Ensure athletes are performing the movement on the same count.
Technical Position
Standardise feet, legs, arms, hips, chest and stunt positions.
Spacing & Pathways
Align formations, windows and transition routes.
Performance
Add projection, dynamics and confidence once the structure is secure.
Effective vs Ineffective Cleaning
✓ Effective Cleaning
- Uses short sections.
- Defines one visual standard.
- Cleans timing before details.
- Stops and fixes the first mismatch.
- Uses video strategically.
- Compares athletes against the same standard.
- Builds layers progressively.
- Finishes by restoring routine speed.
✕ Ineffective Cleaning
- Runs the routine repeatedly.
- Shouts multiple corrections at once.
- Changes counts without documenting them.
- Focuses on faces while timing is still wrong.
- Cleans only athletes at the front.
- Ignores transition spacing.
- Does not retest corrected sections.
- Assumes more reps automatically create uniformity.
Competition Cleaning Flow
What Should You Clean First?
| What You See | First Cleaning Layer | Method | Then Add |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stunt groups hit at different times | Timing | Mark dip and hit counts without body positions. | Technique and performance. |
| Dance section looks visually messy | Timing | Run arms only or feet only. | Full-body texture. |
| Jumps hit together but look different | Technique | Standardise set, leg shape and landing. | Performance and recovery. |
| Formation looks uneven | Spacing | Mark exact floor positions and windows. | Transition speed. |
| Routine loses energy late | Technique / endurance | Check whether execution deteriorates before projection. | Performance quality. |
| Only some athletes show choreography accents | Musical timing | Identify exact sound and action. | Dynamics and faces. |