This week on More Than Counts, I sit down with Coach K, the creator behind High School Cheer Rules, to break down one of the most misunderstood parts of cheerleading: legality.
From viral stunt videos to hidden deductions that can completely change rankings, we talk about how high school cheer rules actually work, why different competitions sometimes interpret rules differently, and how coaches can better protect their teams from costly mistakes.
We also dive into the differences between high school, All-Star, and ICU-style cheerleading, how rules evolve over time, and why some programs seem “ahead of the curve” when new skills become legal. Along the way, Coach K shares her journey from high school coach to one of the internet’s go-to voices for legality education.
And of course, we end the episode the More Than Counts way: by reviewing a listener-submitted routine and discussing what makes it effective beyond just the skills.
Because cheerleading is more than counts. It’s strategy, safety, creativity, and understanding why the rules exist in the first place.
00:00 – Meet Coach K & the world of High School Cheer Rules
08:15 – Why high school legality is more complicated than people realize
21:59 – Breaking down common stunt deductions
29:06 – All-Star vs. school cheer: what changes?
34:43 – The future of cheer rules & skill progression
42:30 – Listener routine review and feedback
