Whether you have watched Netflix’s “Cheer,” “Cheer Squad,” or “Dare Me,” you might wonder why these athletes aren’t engaged in what many consider a traditional sport. While many agree that cheerleading isn’t a sport, it’s crucial to examine the facts to make an informed decision.

Starting with the Definition of Sport

To determine if cheerleading qualifies as a sport, let’s start with the definition. A sport involves skill and physical exertion, where individuals or teams compete for entertainment. It also includes competition, social engagement, and adherence to a set of organized rules and patterns.

Arguments for Cheerleading as a Sport

Cheerleading as an Athletic Activity

Cheerleading is one of the most physically demanding activities globally. Cheerleaders possess impressive physiques and agility, enabling them to perform seemingly impossible stunts. Tumbling and flipping, for instance, are highly challenging and require years of rigorous training and practice. Cheerleaders often lift and throw teammates weighing around 100 pounds, showcasing the sport’s difficulty.

Competitive Nature of Cheerleading

The competitive aspect of cheerleading is twofold: the cheerleaders’ own competitions and their role in motivating other athletes. Cheerleading competitions are highly competitive, requiring participants to be energetic, focused, precise, and active throughout their routines. National cheerleading championships, such as those organized by USA Cheer, and international competitions by the International Cheer Union (ICU), further emphasize its competitive nature.

Physical Demands

Like all sports, cheerleading requires significant physical strength and agility. Cheerleaders must be able to lift and flip other athletes while maintaining light, coordinated movements essential for smooth performances. This combination of strength and agility is critical for executing stunts and maintaining safety.

Skill Development

Contrary to some beliefs, cheerleading is not an innate ability. Cheerleaders undergo extensive training to perfect their routines and skills. This training includes strict diets and exercise regimens to enhance performance. Team practice is crucial for improving coordination and communication, leading to more seamless and safer performances.

Mental Demands

Cheerleading demands significant mental focus. Cheerleaders must execute stunts from considerable heights, where any mistake can lead to serious injuries like fractures. Thus, mental concentration during training and performances is critical. Trust in teammates’ memory and coordination is also essential, as even minor deviations can result in poor performance or injury.

Comparison to Dance and Gymnastics

Many see cheerleading as a blend of dance and gymnastics, both recognized sports. Like dancers, cheerleaders perform choreographed routines to music, involving dynamic moves and stunts. Gymnastics focuses more on flips, but cheerleading incorporates these elements, demanding why cheerleaders aren’t equally recognized as athletes.

Global Competitions

Cheerleading hosts numerous global competitions, organized by bodies like the ICU and USA Cheer. Examples include the ICU Junior World and World Cheerleading Championships, the ICC Cheerleading Competition, and the UCA All Star Championship. These events feature top cheerleading teams performing before judges, competing for medals, rings, and often financial rewards.

Inherent Injury Risks

All sports carry injury risks, and cheerleading is no different. Cheerleading stunts sometimes go wrong, leading to collapses and concussions. Accidents can result in ankle injuries or limb fractures. Despite minimizing these risks through practice and training, they remain present, further indicating cheerleading’s sport status.

Arguments Against Cheerleading as a Sport

Opponents argue that cheerleading lacks the organization and development of recognized sports, partly because it is relatively new and predominantly female-led. Consequently, it receives less attention compared to major sports like football.

Moreover, cheerleading doesn’t strictly adhere to Title IX guidelines due to its less formalized rule set, leading to several failed appeals to classify it as a sport. This has resulted in the NCAA’s refusal to recognize it officially. Cheerleading competitions also draw fewer spectators compared to major sports and are not globally pervasive, with many countries still not recognizing it as a sport.

Conclusion: Cheerleading is a Sport

Despite the NCAA’s stance, all elements of cheerleading—its physical demands, mental requirements, competitive nature, and inherent risks—align with the definition of a sport. Therefore, it should be recognized as such.