Quick answer: warm-up is the period before a team's performance where they physically prepare and run through parts of the routine in a designated practice area at the venue, separate from the main competition floor.
What Happens During Warm-Up
Teams are typically given a scheduled window in a warm-up area - sometimes called backstage or the practice floor - to stretch, run through stunts and tumbling, and rehearse sections of the routine one final time before performing.
Why It Matters
Warm-up isn't just physical preparation - it's often the last chance for a coach to make small adjustments, settle athletes' nerves, and confirm the team is ready to perform the routine at full effort, similar to a final full out.
What to Expect as a Parent
Warm-up areas are typically restricted to athletes and coaches, so parents usually won't see this part of the day directly. Teams are usually given a specific warm-up time slot ahead of their performance time, so schedules can be tight.
How the Term Is Used
"Warm-up" refers both to the physical activity of warming up muscles and to the scheduled competition-day time slot itself - as in, "our warm-up is at 10:15."
Related Terms
See What Happens at a Cheer Competition? for how warm-up fits into the full competition day.