Quick answer: a full out is a complete run-through of a team's routine at full competition effort, from the first count to the last, without stopping - exactly as it would be performed on the competition floor. Teams use full outs in practice to build stamina and consistency.
What the Term Means
In a full out, every stunt, pyramid, toss, tumbling pass, jump and dance section is performed at full intensity, in order, to the music. Nothing is skipped or "marked" (walked through at low effort), and athletes perform with full facial expression and energy, just as they would for the judges.
Full Out vs Other Ways of Practising
Teams rarely practise the whole routine at full effort, because it's physically demanding. Practices usually combine:
- Sections - drilling one part of the routine, such as the pyramid or the jumps, many times over.
- Marking - walking through the routine to check formations and counts without performing the skills.
- Partial run-throughs - for example running the routine with full stunts but marking the tumbling.
- Full outs - the whole routine, all-out, from start to finish.
As a competition approaches, coaches usually schedule more full outs to make sure the team can perform the whole routine consistently.
Why Full Outs Matter
A competition routine lasts up to two and a half minutes, and the hardest sections often come late, when athletes are tired. Fatigue is a common cause of falls and bobbles that never show up when sections are practised on their own. A team that can consistently hit zero in full outs at practice is generally considered ready to compete.
"Full Out" as a Description
The phrase is also used for effort in general: "dance it full out" means perform at maximum energy, not just go through the motions. At showcases and some events, teams may perform "full out" for parents before a competition as a final rehearsal.
What to Expect as a Parent
If your child comes home exhausted after a practice with several full outs, that's normal - full outs are some of the most tiring parts of a cheer season. Some gyms invite parents to watch a full out before a competition, which is a good chance to see the routine before the big day.
Related Terms
See What Is a Cheer Routine? for what's being performed, and Warm-Up for how teams prepare before performing at a competition.