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University of Michigan Dance Team in the Jupela! (Photo via m.goblue.com)

If you're a member of the dance community, we have a feeling you (like us!) were live streaming UDA College Nationals this weekend! We were blown away by all the incredible talent - technique, skills, precision, and costume design get more and more impressive every year!! 

UDA College Nationals are always a source of inspiration for choreography and costumes, and we find the trends for high school dance line usually start here!  While we watched, we made note of a few repeating themes in regards to costume design.  We can't take credit for all of these costumes and trends, but here are a few of our favorites!!

Team: Valley City Hi-Lites
Coach: Megan Gilbertson
Location: Valley City, North Dakota
Style: High School Dance Team

In case you missed it, Monday night at College Football Playoffs the Clemson Tigers won the National Champion title against the Alabama Crimson Tide! Big congrats to the Clemson Tiger football team and our friends, the Tiger Dancers - you ladies look fierce AND fab in your customized Tami dresses!

We don't know about you, but 2016 was quite the year for us over here at The Line Up! From launching a new website and new branding to working with all of our talented dancing, skating and cheering friends - there was a lot to celebrate in 2016.

While looking forward to 2017, we decided to take a look back at 2016 at what resonated with our readers! Without further ado, here are our top 10 blog posts from 2016:

Team: Arizona Coyote's Paw Patrol
Team Manager: Rachel Korchin, Manager of Community Relations
Location: Glendale, Arizona
Style: NHL Promotional Team

Team: Fargo South Bruinkix Dance Team
Director/Head Coach: Mariah Tweeton
Location: Fargo, North Dakota
Style: High School Danceline

Photo by Seattle Seagals

The NFL is changing their look and feel with Color Rush this year.  For special games, NFL teams will forgo the traditional white road uniforms and wear color uniforms designed specifically for the Color Rush promotion. The new digs are primarily one solid color, with color accents.  The result is a bold color versus color match up!  

The Color Rush concept began in 2015, with only 4 special promotion games.  In 2016 it's become a requirement for all teams during Thursday Night football games.

NFL Cheerleaders are getting into the action as well, with matching color rush uniforms of their own.  Check out a few of our friends on the sidelines, and their bold new looks!  

Team: San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers
Senior Entertainment Team Coordinator: Katie Gibbons
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Style: NBA Dance Team
Instagram // Twitter // YouTube

When it comes to washing dance costumes and skate dresses, we've probably seen it all.  Color bleeding, shrinking, burn marks, makeup stains, and rhinestones falling off - there are lots of things that could go wrong when washing your costume!  Don't fear the unknown though!  As long as you are informed, washing your dance costume can be a breeze. Follow these garment care Do's and Don'ts and your dance costume will be clean and damage free in no time!  

Coach Stephanie Kutter and the Hutchinson Showstoppers Dance Team celebrating at a competition.

We've asked some of our coaching friends to share their unique insights with you for this new series: EXPERT COACHING TIPS. In case you missed it, last time we talked about planning for the upcoming season!

This week, we're talking about most important lessons learned. From working with parents to finding a balance of support and discipline... the coaches we talked to have a lot of experience in what works and what doesn't. See what these expert dance team coaches had to share!