Competitive Cheerleading Research Paper

Because of the physical demand, skill set needed, and the rules set to tumble, stunt, and jump, competitive cheerleading should be considered an official sport. Yet cheerleading has rules, guidelines, training, and many other things other sports also include. It also is definitely a physical and contact sport which has caused countless injuries throughout the years of the sports existance. But, most people only know cheerleading as sideline (school) cheerleading and have not had a glimpse into the world of competitive (All Star) cheerleading.

I am a cheerleader, and was taken away from what I love due to an injury. When you think of cheerleading you imagine the make-up, the pom-poms, and the groups of people throwing cheerleaders high in the air, but cheerleading is more. Cheer is the performance of athletic skills, jumps, dancing, and chanting to get feedback from crowds at events, games, etc. Cheerleaders can be featured at games in support of sports teams, or at cheerleading competitions to earn points. According to varsity.com, which is a foundation that makes articles, social media, and supplies cheer groups with equipment/clothing, frequent drama that speculates when we tell people we cheer they say “cheerleading is not a sport”. Cheerleading fits all the criteria to be considered

Cheerleading is simply entertainment for viewers and is a social club for its participants. “Sports Beat - The Sport of Cheerleading: It’s a lot More than Just Pompoms and Smiles,” points out that a main benefit of cheerleading is the ability to “easily transition into the entertainment industry” (Hatton C-04). This statement supports our belief that cheerleading should not be considered a sport. Cheer-leading, the leading of cheers at sporting events is not a sport. Entertainment, versus athleticism, is more of what cheerleading is. Team supporters are present at games/events to raise school spirit and encourage cheering. Cheerleading generally requires a competition to be in progress, so the cheerleading itself can occur. This is not an activity which can take place alone.

To begin the argument at hand of whether or not cheerleading is a sport, it must be recognized that there isn’t truly a set/official definition for what a sport is. There are no set of regulations that have been universally agreed upon in which all activities can be examined against in order to determine whether those activities is a sport or not. It’s difficult to put under simple terms and rules what exactly qualifies something as a “sport” without disqualifying any currently agreed upon

Whether cheerleading is considered a sport has become a very controversial topic over the past few years. Due to lack of education of the sport, it is very frowned upon by other athletes. Other athletes seem to feel that cheerleading isn't difficult and requires minimum to no effort. These accusations can be very hurtful when coming from a cheerleader’s perspective. Based on their strength and skill, the amount of practicing and maintaining health, the number of injuries, and its competitive aspect, cheerleading should be considered a sport. The talent that these young men and women have is phenomenal. The performance of their skills looks extremely flawless but no one truly knows what goes on behind the pretty stunts and synchronized

The physical activity must have five elements, some include overcoming the resistance of a mass, competition against an opponent, and the rules must define time, space, the purpose of the activity, and the conditions under which a winner is declared. In addition to, acknowledgement that the competition is an evaluation of the skills of the participants and the key purpose of the activity is for competition. Competitive cheerleading fits into all five of these categories through stunts, tumbling, competitions, score sheets, time limits, and mat size. Cheerleading also fits into these categories through the Entertainment and Sports Programming Networks (ESPN) comparing cheerleading routines and a competitive cheerleader’s sole purpose is to compete. Most people in the world do not think cheerleading is a sport for several reasons. Some they think cheerleading does not have a strategy, while others think cheerleaders do not have enough physical ability. However, cheerleading fits into all of the categories of what must take place in order to deem it as a sport (Cheer

We spoke on Friday regarding the issue that surrounds the Dexter Cheerleading Squad in which they are not being allowed to go participate in the state cheer competition. The reason that they are not being allowed to participate seems vague in my opinion as I explained to you during our Friday conversation. The superintendent of our school district claimed during a parent meeting on 1/25/18 in which at least 5 parents made appearance, that since the job posting for coaches stipulated that it was a sideline cheer only, the cheer squad would not be allowed to go. When the question was asked, if any school regulations or policies existed that specified and backed up her decision, she claimed that none existed. Hence, that her athletic

Championships are a huge part of All-Star, sideline, and college cheerleading. Each of these types have their own championships which are held down in Walt Disney Orlando Florida every year. Sideline cheer as well as college cheer attend national championships. “Cheerleading Championships is the most prestigious cheerleading in the country” (Varsity, 2018). On the other hand, All- Star teams do have a championship but it’s called the Summit. In order to attend the Summit, you need a bid in order to compete. In order to receive a bid, you must attend one of the competitions that offer bids. One step above championships and the Summit is Worlds. “Worlds is the best competition and the goal for all level five cheerleaders” (Englebert, 2011).

Cheerleading isn't just a hobby, but a full time career for some, devoting their entire life wanting to make it big and cheer in front of millions. Taking their personal time and devoting it to constant practice, day and night, wanting to be the best. It's sounds like a similar career that many young athletes wish they had. The NFL, NBA, NHL, all big name sport associations where gifted, hard working, talented athletes can show everyone why they were given a chance to be in the big leagues. They work day in and day out, practicing to get better, just like any cheerleader on those teams. The only difference between those sport athletes and the cheerleaders is the wages they are earning. Why should cheerleaders who devoted their life, physically

The definition of a sport is “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” (dictionary.com) Competition cheerleading is often looked upon as a “club” or an “activity”, but most people don’t realize that it is way more than that. There is common controversy as to whether or not cheerleading should be classified as a sport. Cheerleading does not get enough recognition for what the athletes who participate in it do and the physical aspects needed to take part in it. Competitive cheerleading encompasses all characteristics in the definition of a sport, therefore it should be given just as much respect and acknowledgment as other

In todays society most people you encounter have played a sport at sometime in their life. Many of them start off young playing t-ball or soccer. In today’s day and age many parents are starting to put their children, male and female, into cheerleading. Although many do not classify cheerleading as a sport, it still possesses all the components necessary to be considered a sport. According to Dictionary.com a sport is, “an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature.”

According to dictionary.com, the definition of a sport is, “An athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature.” This qualifies cheerleading as a sport, however, cheerleaders are perceived differently. Because of sideline cheerleading, many believe that competitive cheerleading is the same and not a sport. They’re wrong. Competitive cheerleading is a sport. While sideline cheerleaders just glee the crowd and amuse them with their alluring smiles, competitive cheerleaders work just as hard as any other football player or baseball player. They also strive for the same goal, which is to win. Not only that, but unlike sideline cheerleading, competitive cheerleading requires an increased level of skill, more

Some states have accepted competitive cheerleading as a varsity sport, but cheerleaders still have to fight for recognition as an athlete because their school refuses to recognize cheerleading as a sport. Not to mention other athletes that do not participate in competitive cheerleading do not see why it should be considered a sport, because “it is not as demanding as other sports” (Competitive Cheerleading Fights). The definition of an athlete is “a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina” (Omni Cheer Blog). As a matter of fact competitive cheerleaders meet all the requirements to be considered athletes, so why do they have to continue fighting for recognition as athletes?

Many people argue whether cheeleading is a sport or not. A sport is on an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.Therefore, cheerleading is a sport because cheerleading includes teamwork as well as competition. Furthermore, in order to do cheerleading you have to be physically fit, and flexible. I believe cheerleading is a sport because just like athletes, cheerleaders work extremely hard, and put all their effort into cheerleading. Firstly, cheerleading requires teamwork, which is the foremost important thing in any sport. In addition, cheerleaders

When asked what your favorite sport is, there are a variety of different responses given. One of the most common responses would likely be football. Every year people gather on Super Bowl Sunday to watch one of the worlds most loved sports. The only acknowledgment they give to the cheerleaders, who cheer on the sideline of every football game, is that they have pretty faces with tiny cute outfits. Cheerleading would most likely be the last “activity” someone would name as one of their favorite sports, let alone even being considered a sport (Collier, 2009, pg.1). This is because when people think of cheerleading they automatically think of the sideline cheerleaders at the football games such as, the Super Bowl. They have no idea that there is a whole other side to cheer which is, competitive cheerleading. The annual Cheerleading Worlds, where the best of the best competitive cheer teams compete, has even been called