How much would you trust three of your peers to throw you above their heads, or would you trust yourself to toss any of your peers up and down? Cheerleading requires a lot from athletes, not only is it physically demanding but trust, cooperation and ambition are also needed from cheerleaders. Although cheerleading fits all the criteria of being a sport, it does not always get the proper respect or funding. There are many different types of cheer, most notably, spirit/sideline and competitive cheerleading. Both groups of athletes require technique, but competition teams require more conditioning and training. There are many different parts that are important in the definition of sports and should be considered when discussing cheerleading. According
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These core parts of cheer take various types of strength. Stunting requires upper body strength and technique is incredibly important for flyers and bases. Flyers trained to do electric and explosive tricks in the air and bases need to know how to throw and catch them, it can oftentimes be dangerous and athletes have precautions in place such as spotting and bracing stunts. Flexibility if needed for jumps, toe touches and hurdlers. Tumbling requires both strength and flexibility, with cheerleaders performing standing and running skills having to flip their bodies with precision and force. Bennett also says that cuts, or broken bones as well as broken teeth are common cheer related injuries. College cheerleaders injury incidents are second only to football players. There is training, physical activity and effort put into cheerleading and it is no different from any other sport. Also, Cheerleading is mostly done for competition. Sports need to involve competition between teams and be participated in for entertainment. According to varsity.com, in 1980, Varsity Spirit created a competition for high level cheerleaders to showcase their skills. They partner with organizations like the National Cheerleaders Association and The Summit Championships to make regional, …show more content…
Competing is just as important for cheerleaders as it is for any other athletic event and to be considered a sport, individuals or teams must compete for something. Cheer teams will compete for titles and trophies during their performances. Cheerleading helps develop life skills, like other sports, being a part of a cheer team can help build social skills and confidence. Cheerleading, like any other sport, can help people make new friends and meet people they might have never met before. Cheerleaders are able to travel to different countries and attend different classes and events. Cheerleading also prioritizes safety and trust, flyers and bases have to trust each other to do proper technique to keep each other safe. Flyers need to keep themselves tight and as light as possible, helping the bases lift and catch them. Bases have to be willing to catch flyers and not let their heads hit the ground, no matter what. Also, everyone is responsible for the team’s score, everyone needs to have a smile on their face and be in a positive mood. Teammates need to uplift and inspire each other. Cooperation, being able to work with and encourage people are important qualities of being a cheerleader.
These core parts of cheer take various types of strength. Stunting requires upper body strength and technique is incredibly important for flyers and bases. Flyers trained to do electric and explosive tricks in the air and bases need to know how to throw and catch them, it can oftentimes be dangerous and athletes have precautions in place such as spotting and bracing stunts. Flexibility if needed for jumps, toe touches and hurdlers. Tumbling requires both strength and flexibility, with cheerleaders performing standing and running skills having to flip their bodies with precision and force. Bennett also says that cuts, or broken bones as well as broken teeth are common cheer related injuries. College cheerleaders injury incidents are second only to football players. There is training, physical activity and effort put into cheerleading and it is no different from any other sport. Also, Cheerleading is mostly done for competition. Sports need to involve competition between teams and be participated in for entertainment. According to varsity.com, in 1980, Varsity Spirit created a competition for high level cheerleaders to showcase their skills. They partner with organizations like the National Cheerleaders Association and The Summit Championships to make regional, …show more content…
Competing is just as important for cheerleaders as it is for any other athletic event and to be considered a sport, individuals or teams must compete for something. Cheer teams will compete for titles and trophies during their performances. Cheerleading helps develop life skills, like other sports, being a part of a cheer team can help build social skills and confidence. Cheerleading, like any other sport, can help people make new friends and meet people they might have never met before. Cheerleaders are able to travel to different countries and attend different classes and events. Cheerleading also prioritizes safety and trust, flyers and bases have to trust each other to do proper technique to keep each other safe. Flyers need to keep themselves tight and as light as possible, helping the bases lift and catch them. Bases have to be willing to catch flyers and not let their heads hit the ground, no matter what. Also, everyone is responsible for the team’s score, everyone needs to have a smile on their face and be in a positive mood. Teammates need to uplift and inspire each other. Cooperation, being able to work with and encourage people are important qualities of being a cheerleader.