No Counts Given with Kyle Rush

No Counts Given

No Counts Given, powered by Dance Team Union, is the premier podcast for the dance team community. Spotlighting dancers, coaches, judges, and industry leaders shaping the future of the sport. With a bold, authentic, and engaging tone, our episodes deliver insightful interviews, expert analysis, and coverage of major dance team events, coaching shifts, viral moments, and dance team culture. Whether you’re on the sidelines, in the audience, or center stage, No Counts Given keeps you connected, inspired, and in the know.

  1. 5d ago

    THE BACK TUCK MOMENT NOBODY SAW COMING | TRANSITIONING TO UDA WITH ERIN ALVARADO | NCG 66

    In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush sits down with Erin Alvarado, Head Coach of the Texas Tech Dance Team, for an educational conversation on coaching, choreography, and the evolution of competitive dance team performance. We couldn't do this without today's sponsor, Dance Team Union. Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Erin shares her journey from dancer to coach, diving into the mindset, strategy, and creative decisions behind building and leading a successful college dance team program. From full-team skills to intentional routine design, this episode breaks down what it takes to compete at a high level while staying true to your team’s identity. If you’re a coach, athlete, choreographer, or dance team fan looking to better understand the strategy behind elite-level dance team competition, this conversation with Erin Alvarado is packed with insight, perspective, and real coaching takeaways. 00:00 Coming Up on This Episode 00:27 From West Virginia to Texas Tech 05:02 Ad: The Rankings by Dance Team Union 06:12 Avoiding Burnout When You Love What You Do 08:31 Consulting for the National Champs, West Virginia 11:40 Inside One of the Only Full-Time Coaching Jobs 12:35 Why Texas Tech Switched from NDA to UDA 14:49 Competing with Team USA Jazz and Pom 19:36 Like, Comment, and Subscribe! 20:10 Ad: A Coaches Perspective 22:55 THE FULL TEAM BACK TUCK MOMENT 27:47 How You Know an Athlete Is Bought In at Texas Tech 30:47 Recruiting at Tribe 99 + The Common Recruit Video 34:12 All Star Growth and How to Succeed at the Top 35:11 Ad: Road to Nationals 35:45 Erin’s Advice: Making Finals and Climbing to the Top 40:17 Conflict of Interest? + Erin’s New Superpower: Staging 42:36 Trends Shaping the Dance Team Industry 43:30 What’s Next for Texas Tech Pom 45:21 Blending Artistry with the Sport of Dance 49:22 Visit NoCountsGiven.com + See You Next Week

    50 min
  2. Jun 4

    THE ARTIST VS. THE SCORESHEET, THE SYSTEM AND THE PRESSURE WITH TRAVIS LAKE | NCG 65

    In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush sits down with Travis Lake, a trailblazing choreographer known for his work with programs like BYU, University of Minnesota, and Dance Mania All Stars, for an honest conversation about creativity, competition, and challenging the rules of the dance team industry. We couldn't do this without our sponsors, thank you! Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com The College Classic | www.thecollegeclassic.com Travis opens up about the routines, risks, and creative choices that helped shape his career, while also sharing the personal and professional challenges that come with pushing boundaries in a highly regulated competitive space. This episode dives into what it really means to challenge the status quo without losing sight of excellence, clarity, and purpose. Travis shares insight into the creative process, the emotional cost of chasing greatness, and why some of the biggest breakthroughs come from refusing to play it safe. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro + Thank You Dance Team Union 00:43 - Growing Up in Utah: Religion, Identity & Early Challenges 07:43 - Travis’ BYU Journey + Being Ghosted by a Top Dance Program 21:37 - AD: Dance Team Union | A Coach’s Perspective 24:22 - Underpaid in the Industry, Even at the Top Level 27:33 - Reaching the Childhood Dream: Working with Minnesota 46:37 - Thank You, Travis 47:11 - AD: The Rankings by Dance Team Union 48:13 - How Music Rule Changes Shifted the Dance Team Industry 50:42 - Hitting Rock Bottom: Travis Opens Up 56:21 - Dance Mania: Setting a New Standard in All Star Dance 1:03:51 - Getting Fired from Dance Mania 1:11:03 - Sam Houston: Teaching and Choreographing for the Dance Team 1:20:05 - Travis’ Advice for Choreographers Tags: nationals season, road to nationals, dance team analysis, judges perspective, dance breakdowns, competitive dance talk, elite dance training, performance quality, intentional choreography, dance team culture, college dance insights, high school dance teams, all-star dance training, pom technique, hip hop judging, dance education, behind the scores, dance media commentary

    1h 22m
  3. May 28

    USASF TRANSPARENCY | BLIND ITEM ADVICE | UDA & NDA NATIONALS PLOT TWIST WITH SFA | NCG 64

    Thank you for supporting No Counts Given this past year. I appreciate every single one of you that tune in weekly. I hope you enjoy this 2 hour ONE YEAR B-DAY episode. We couldn’t do this without our sponsors, thank you. Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Rebel Athletic | www.rebelathleticdance.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com Today on the show, I’m breaking down IDL Sydney and sharing my overall predictions for how this series stop could play out. We’re also diving into a few Blind Items, including some advice submissions that definitely need to be unpacked. Then, I’m sitting down with Ashley and Courtney Frato of The Source Dance Lab for an honest conversation about transparency and the ongoing questions surrounding USASF Dance Worlds. Later in the episode, T.J. Maple from Stephen F. Austin State University joins us to talk about major developments in SFA’s season, including their decision to attend both UDA College Nationals and NDA College Nationals. To close out the show, I’m sharing my Top 10 routines from the 2025-2026 season. Chapters: 00:00 Intro: We Have A Packed Show 06:59 Ad: The Rankings by Dance Team Union 08:00 IDL Sydney Breakdown & My Official Predictions 19:45 Blind Items: Advice, Drama & Real Talk 37:09 DTU Ad: Hear It From The Coaches 39:47 The Source Dance Lab Speaks Out on USASF Transparency 1:41:26 Breaking Down SFA’s Move To Both UDA & NDA Nationals 1:45:51 Ad: Road To Nationals by Dance Team Union 1:46:24 T.J. Maple Talks SFA Doubling Down This Season 2:00:36 My Top 10 Routines From The 2025-2026 Season 2:04:04 June Schedule, Final Thoughts & Outro

    2h 8m
  4. May 14

    THE COLLEGE CLASSIC | NAIA, JUNIOR COLLEGE & NAIA COVERAGE | FEATURING COACH INTERVIEWS | NCG 62

    The divisions that don’t always get the spotlight? Yeah… we’re putting them CENTER STAGE. We couldn't do this without our sponsors: Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com Follow No Counts Given on all social media platforms @nocountsgiven and follow our host, Kyle Rush, on all platforms @itskylerush This episode is dedicated to highlighting the athletes, the coaches and the programs that demanded the stage at The College Classic. In this episode of No Counts Given, we’re breaking down the NAIA, Junior College, and DIII divisions from The College Classic and trust, this is where some of the most competitive, overlooked, and straight-up impressive routines of the weekend lived. Plus, we’re bringing you straight to the source with exclusive interviews from the head coaches/captains leading these standout programs: St. Ambrose University Trinity Valley Community College North Central College SUNY Cortland From strategy and scoring breakdowns to behind-the-scenes insight on what it actually takes to compete at this level, this episode gives these divisions the respect, analysis, and spotlight they’ve earned. nationals season, road to nationals, dance team analysis, judges perspective, dance breakdowns, competitive dance talk, elite dance training, performance quality, intentional choreography, dance team culture, college dance insights, high school dance teams, all-star dance training, pom technique, hip hop judging, dance education, behind the scores, dance media commentary #NationalsSeason #RoadToNationals #DanceTeamAnalysis #JudgesPerspective #DanceBreakdown #CompetitiveDanceTalk #EliteDanceTraining #PerformanceQuality #IntentionalChoreography #DanceTeamCulture #CollegeDanceInsights #HighSchoolDanceTeams #AllStarDanceTraining #PomTechnique #HipHopJudging #DanceEducation #BehindTheScores #DanceMedia

    46 min
  5. May 7

    JUSTIN BIEBER TO COLLEGE DANCE TEAM TO NFL PRO - the HOST of The Rankings | HANNAH STUTTS | NCG #61

    Hannah Stutts (@hannahstutts) breaks down what it really takes to stand out in the dance and pro cheer world, and it’s not just talent. From her early days in Alabama to performing with a top NFL team, Hannah shares how she built a career by doing what most dancers are told not to do: show her personality. She dives into her journey through studio training, convention circuits, and pro cheer, revealing how each step shaped her resilience, confidence, and growth mindset. The conversation gets real about the industry… booking major opportunities like Justin Bieber, signing with an agency at just 15, and navigating the pressure of elite-level performance spaces. But the biggest takeaway? Your ability to communicate who you are matters just as much as how you perform. This episode is all about personal branding, authenticity, and learning how to turn visibility into opportunity. If you’re trying to break into or level up within the dance, cheer, or entertainment world, this is a blueprint on how to stop blending in and start building a name for yourself. Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com  Follow No Counts Given on all social media platforms @nocountsgiven and follow our host, Kyle Rush, on all platforms @itskylerush 🔗 Relevant Tags: No Counts Given, Kyle Rush, dance team podcast, dance team news, dance team analysis, competitive dance, college dance team, high school dance team, all star dance, dance competition coverage, UDA College Nationals, DTU Nationals, NDA College Nationals, Dance Team Union, pom dance, hip hop dance, jazz dance, dance judging, dance scoring, routine breakdown, choreography analysis, dance team coaching, behind the scores, road to nationals #DanceTeamPodcast #DanceTeamNews #DanceTeamAnalysis #CompetitiveDance #DanceCompetition #CollegeDanceTeam #HighSchoolDanceTeam #AllStarDance #UDANationals #DTUNationals #NDANationals #DanceTeamUnion #USASFDanceWorlds #ICUWorlds #PomDance #HipHopDance #JazzDance #DanceCoaching #DanceJudging #BehindTheScores #RoadToNationals #NationalsSeason #RoutineBreakdown #ChoreographyAnalysis #NoCountsGiven

    57 min
  6. Apr 30

    DANCE TEAMS: STORYTELLING IS THE REAL WINNING FORMULA | JESSE HERNANDEZ + ICU & USASF WORLDS | #60

    Most teams are chasing perfection… but the programs winning RIGHT NOW are chasing something deeper. In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush breaks down the biggest global stages in the industry, the ICU World Cheerleading Championships and USASF Dance Worlds, and why these events are quietly reshaping the future of dance teams and “performance cheer”. From Team USA’s dominance to the rise of international programs leveling up FAST, this episode dives into how choreography, storytelling, and athletic innovation are setting the tone for the next era of competition. Then, Kyle sits down with Jesse Hernandez, head coach of University of Louisiana Ragin Jazz, to unpack the real formula behind championship-winning routines. It’s not just about difficulty, it’s about connection, authenticity, and creating moments that actually move people. Thank you to our sponsors: Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com  Follow No Counts Given on all social media platforms @nocountsgiven and follow our host, Kyle Rush, on all platforms @itskylerush  ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 — DANCE WORLDS + ICU WORLDS BREAKDOWN + Jesse Hernandez JOINS THE SHOW 0:27 — DTU SUMMER CAMPS ARE HERE: WHY THIS IS A MUST FOR YOUR TEAM 1:41 — TEAM USA DOMINATES ICU WORLDS: HOW THE USA CONTINUES TO SET THE GLOBAL STANDARD 5:12 — UNLV: I’m Sorry. 6:31 — TEAM USA LIGHT-UP SHIRTS: WHO MADE THE CALL?! 7:43 — WHY THE USA CONTROLS TRENDS IN DANCE (AND NO ONE IS CLOSE) 11:46 — “PERFORMANCE CHEER” EXPLAINED: WHAT ARE WE ACTUALLY CALLING THIS SPORT?! 13:45 — USASF DANCE WORLDS HOT TAKE: WE NEED TO TALK… 16:02 — MAY CONTENT TAKEOVER: WHAT’S COMING NEXT FOR NO COUNTS GIVEN 18:02 — SHARPEN UP SUMMIT: WILL I SEE YOU THERE?! 19:12 — DANCE TEAM SUPPLY: PREPARE YOUR TEAM FOR SUCCESS 19:45 — INTERVIEW: JESSE HERNANDEZ ON STORYTELLING, WINNING, AND BUILDING CHAMPIONS   🔗 Relevant Tags: nationals season, road to nationals, dance team analysis, judges perspective, dance breakdowns, competitive dance talk, elite dance training, performance quality, intentional choreography, dance team culture, college dance insights, high school dance teams, all-star dance training, pom technique, hip hop judging, dance education, behind the scores, dance media commentary #NationalsSeason #RoadToNationals #DanceTeamAnalysis #JudgesPerspective #DanceBreakdown #CompetitiveDanceTalk #EliteDanceTraining #PerformanceQuality #IntentionalChoreography #DanceTeamCulture #CollegeDanceInsights #HighSchoolDanceTeams #AllStarDanceTraining #PomTechnique #HipHopJudging #DanceEducation #BehindTheScores #DanceMedia

    47 min
  7. Apr 23

    INSIDE BAYLOR DANCE WITH ANNIE ROSE CARRELL + THE BLIND ITEMS SHAKING THE DANCE TEAM WORLD | #59

    In this episode, Coach Annie Rose Carroll takes us inside the rise of Baylor Dance, from her transition into coaching to building a program that’s both competitive and culture-driven. But this conversation doesn’t stop at Baylor… We’re also diving into some of the most talked-about conversations in the dance team world right now — from division shakeups to the pressure being placed on dancers earlier than ever. This one balances insight, honesty, and a little bit of chaos… exactly how we like it. We couldn’t do this without our sponsors, thank you.  Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Rebel Athletic | www.rebelathleticdance.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com  Follow No Counts Given on all social media platforms @nocountsgiven and follow our host, Kyle Rush, on all platforms @itskylerush  ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 – WE’RE NOT HOLDING BACK 👀 4:47 – DANCE TEAM UNION 🔥 5:58 – REBEL ATHLETIC 💎 7:10 – ANNIE ROSE CARROLL JOINS 🐻 20:43 – SHARPEN UP 💪 21:50 – DANCE TEAM SUPPLY ✨ 22:22 – BACK WITH ANNIE 🔥 34:28 – BLIND ITEMS 👀 43:31 – OUTRO 🎤 🔗 Relevant Tags: nationals season, road to nationals, dance team analysis, judges perspective, dance breakdowns, competitive dance talk, elite dance training, performance quality, intentional choreography, dance team culture, college dance insights, high school dance teams, all-star dance training, pom technique, hip hop judging, dance education, behind the scores, dance media commentary #NationalsSeason #RoadToNationals #DanceTeamAnalysis #JudgesPerspective #DanceBreakdown #CompetitiveDanceTalk #EliteDanceTraining #PerformanceQuality #IntentionalChoreography #DanceTeamCulture #CollegeDanceInsights #HighSchoolDanceTeams #AllStarDanceTraining #PomTechnique #HipHopJudging #DanceEducation #BehindTheScores #DanceMedia

    44 min

Trailers

About

No Counts Given, powered by Dance Team Union, is the premier podcast for the dance team community. Spotlighting dancers, coaches, judges, and industry leaders shaping the future of the sport. With a bold, authentic, and engaging tone, our episodes deliver insightful interviews, expert analysis, and coverage of major dance team events, coaching shifts, viral moments, and dance team culture. Whether you’re on the sidelines, in the audience, or center stage, No Counts Given keeps you connected, inspired, and in the know.

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