Unpopular Opinion: Don’t Record Your Kid’s Cheer Routine

Yep. I said it.

I know it’s tempting to pull out your phone the second your athlete takes the mat. You want to capture the moment. You want to rewatch it later. Maybe even post it.

But here’s my hot take:
If you’re filming, you’re missing it.

Let me explain.

1. The Crowd Energy Matters (And Your Phone Kills It)

Our gym has a “phones down, hands up” policy for a reason. When all the parents are clapping and cheering, the vibe is electric. The athletes feed off that energy — they need it.

But when the crowd is barely cheering because every hand is holding a phone? The routine feels flat. The energy dips. You can see it in the kids' faces, their movement — the difference is real.

2. You’re Not the Only One Recording (So Chill)

There’s almost always a designated person filming for the team — or even a pro recording from the front. Your blurry, wobbly video from the back row isn’t the only copy.

Let someone else be the videographer. You get to be the cheerleader.

3. You Can’t Scream and Clap Through a Phone

You think you can, but you can’t. The second you’re filming, your body gets quiet. You’re trying not to shake. You’re trying to track. And your athlete notices the difference.

They want to hear you yell. They want to feel the crowd going wild when they nail that stunt.

4. Your Athlete Wants Your Energy, Not Your Footage

When they come off the mat, sweaty and out of breath, they don’t say “Did you get it on video?”
They say, “Did you see me?”
And they mean — were you watching, not filming? Were you with me in that moment?

And you’ll get to say:
“I saw everything. And I screamed the whole time.”

Final Thought: Let Someone Else Get the Video. You Get the Memory.

It’s okay to sit one out on the camera roll. You’ll still have the video (from someone else)--I promise. But this time, you’ll also have the goosebumps. The adrenaline. The sound of the crowd.

You’ll have the memory of clapping until your hands hurt and screaming your kid’s name as loud as you could.

That’s the stuff they’ll remember, too.