Is cheerleading a sport? Yes it is infact a sport. The definition of sport is a physical activity that is usually competitive. All sports, cheerleading included, require the athletes to have skill, be in shape, be committed, and to practice. Cheerleading requires a lot of skill and physical exertion, so it qualifies as a sport.
1. Cheerleading is a sport.
I know this because the athletes have to have skill. Cheerleaders have to have certain skills to be on the team. In order to be a cheerleader you have to have the skills for your level. Some skills you have to have are tumbling skills, this means you should be able to flip, and turn easily. Another skill is you have to be able to lift up girls, so you have to have muscle, a big part of cheer is throwing and catching the girls known as the “Flyers”. Cheerleading is also all about the sass, and the way you perform, you have to be able to get up on the stage and make exciting faces that keep the audience intrigued. This all proves that cheer is qualified to be a sport.
2. Just like in most sports a cheerleader has to be in shape.
Cheerleaders move around a lot, and if they are not treating their bodies correctly, and getting out of shape it is very difficult to be able to move around as much. Some cheerleaders start cheer out of shape, and cheer helps them to stay fit and stay healthy. Cheerleaders have to be very strong, because they have to lift up girls a lot. Good successful cheerleaders are healthy, have lots of muscle, and are in good shape. Being a cheerleader is not an easy thing, you have to be able to take care of your body.
3. Cheer is a very competitive sport.
Many people think that cheer is not a sport because cheerleaders don’t compete, but that’s not true. Cheerleading is one of the most competitive sports in America. Some cheerleaders have competitions every weekend.
Cheerleaders from around the world come together to compete against each other. Winning a competition can be one of the best feelings a cheerleader has had. Imagine hearing your team’s name being called for 1st place, it is so exciting, fun, and a moment you will never forget. Just like most sports cheer is very competitive.
4. Cheerleading is very dangerous.
Not only is cheerleading considered to be one of the hardest sports, but a recent study in the “Journal of Pediatrics” found that cheerleading is the most dangerous sport for females due to the high risk of severe injuries including concussions, broken bones, permanent disabilities and paralyzation, and injuries causing a shorter lifespan. Cheer is very dangerous just like other sports. No matter what position you are in whether you’re the base, backspot, or flyer cheerleaders risk their lives everyday. Bases, and backspots do everything they can to make sure the flyer doesn’t get hurt, but sometimes a little mistake happens and the flyer, bases, or backspots are extremely hurt.
5. To be on a team you have to be committed.
The time cheerleaders spend in cheer is no joke, cheerleaders spend about 2 hours, 5 days a week cheering. Cheerleaders have to spend a lot of their week cheering, this means they miss out on a lot of things, and activities outside of cheer. Many times high school cheerleaders spend a class period at cheer practice, so they have to make sure that their grades are good, and that they have all the school credits they need. If you have bad grades you can be kicked off the cheer team. Some cheerleaders even say “Cheer is my boyfriend i’m committed!” Cheerleading is not easy when it comes to being committed, but most of these athletes go into the sport ready, and committed!
6. Cheerleading is a sport because of the sportsmanship, friendship, and the team.
All sports teams have a good bond mostly because they all play, and love the same sport. Cheerleaders learn to love each other like family. Just like any other sports teams cheerleaders have to learn how to trust one another. The bases have to trust that the flyer will be tight so that the bases don’t get smashed, and the flyers have to trust that the bases will catch them at the end of a stunt. Cheerleaders have to be supportive of one another, they have to believe in each other, and cheer the whole team on. They learn how to be a good teammate, they understand one another. Cheerleaders not only learn how to love each other, but they also learn how to love themselves.
In conclusion, Cheerleading is a sport because you have to have certain skills, you have to be in shape, it is very competitive, it can be very dangerous, you have to be committed, you have to have good sportsmanship. These are the reasons why I believe cheer is a sport.
