Is Cheerleading A Sport?

Sport

noun [spawrt]

an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature

Picture from Google

There's a rumor that's always around 24/7 about how cheerleading isn't a sport. Well, let's face it that rumor is a rumor and completely wrong. The definition above states that a sport involves: athletic skills, physical power, and a competitive nature. Let's break it down and see why cheerleading is most definitely a sport!

 

1. Athletic Skills

 

Cheerleading is a skill because it doesn't just come naturally. It involves lots of hard work and practice to get the perfect pass, stunt, dance, or cheer. Practice makes perfect!

 

2. Physical Power

 

When you're tumbling and stunting you most definitely need strength, and power.  When you're fighting to keep that stunt up it's the physical power and the togetherness of all four/five teammates.

 

3. Competitive Nature

 

NCA? The Summit? Worlds? Any of these ring a bell! Cheerleading is extremely competitive, and every year there are tons of major competitions held and are even broadcasted on ESPN (the sports network). Worlds is a huge deal in the cheer world and consists of the best teams in the "world" coming together in Florida to compete for titles. So yes I think there is some competitive nature there.

 

Sure cheerleading doesn't involve a ball or a finish line but it doesn't mean that cheerleading isn't important and it isn't a sport. Cheerleading is a sport, a love, a passion, and a way of life.

 

Love,

A Cheerleader