Quick answer: clean is a neutral position with the arms held straight down at the sides and the hands in fists - the reset position athletes return to between other motions. "Clean" is also cheer slang for motions and skills performed sharply and in perfect sync.
What Does It Look Like?
The athlete stands upright with feet together, arms straight down by the sides close to the legs, and fists closed. It's essentially an athletic, "at attention" version of standing still.
Two Meanings of "Clean"
- The position. When a coach calls "clean," athletes snap their arms down to their sides. A routine or chant often starts and ends in clean.
- The quality. A team described as "clean" performs with sharp, precise, matching technique - every arm at the same angle, every motion on the same count. This meaning applies to the whole routine, not just this one position, and it's closely tied to what judges reward under execution and synchronisation.
Hands and Arms
The arms are straight but not hunched, the fists are tight, and the shoulders are back and down. Even though it's a resting position, it still needs to look deliberate: hands still, eyes forward, no fidgeting.
Common Mistakes Judges Notice
- Fidgeting - adjusting hair or uniforms, or shifting weight, while in clean.
- Arms swinging or relaxing away from the sides.
- Open hands when the team is using fists, or the reverse.
- Different athletes resetting at different speeds, which makes the transition look messy.
Where It Fits in a Routine
Clean is the "home" position of motion technique. Teams often start a chant in clean, return to it between motion sequences, and finish in it. It's also the position athletes are standing in when a section starts, which means judges get a good look at it - a still, matching line of athletes in clean sets up the section well.
Easily Confused With
- Low touchdown - also arms down, but as a deliberate accent with the arms close together in front of the thighs. Some teams use the two names almost interchangeably.
- Clasp - the other common neutral position, with the hands clasped at the chest.
Related Motions
See the clasp, low touchdown and low V, or browse the full motion chart.