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Eight-Count Basics

Feel the beat and step on the counts, the base of every cheer dance.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Play a song and clap on each beat.

Core: Sixteen. Beat your own cleanest set.

Ages
7 and up
Time
6 min
Players
Just you
Space
Gym or court
Bring
Music
Level · skill
Beginner · Dance

The steps

How it works

  1. Play a song and clap on each beat.
  2. Count the beats in groups of 8 out loud.
  3. Step side to side on each count.
  4. Do 8 eight-counts with no misses.

Coaching point

Find the 1.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Freeze and groove: dance to the music and freeze in a shape when it pauses. Everyone keeps dancing, and a wobble just means try again.

Challenge

Pick a level: Less (eight counts), Core (sixteen), More (add a turn). Beat your own cleanest set.

Story

You are a pop star performing on a giant stage.

My best

Beat your own count

Beat your own cleanest set. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

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