Cheerleading is one of the most demanding sports that anyone can get into.  It is physically demanding and cheerleaders are at high risk for serious injuries.  Unlike many sports, cheerleaders do not wear any protective gear yet make many complex and difficult moves.  Tumbling, back flips, being tossed in the air by their teammates all demand a cheerleader be in total control of their body.  Many people think cheerleading should not be considered a sport.

What is the definition of a competitive sport?  It is “a physical competition against or with an opponent, governed by rules and conditions where a winner is declared.  The primary purpose of the competition is a comparison of the skills of the participants.”  Competitive cheerleading follows these guidelines and was declared a sport in 2003.  The International Sports Verification Committee declared cheerleading a sport because it follows the guidelines.  They decided because of the difficulty of the maneuvers, and the energy put into cheering, it should be considered a sport.  Cheerleaders and their coaches believe the decision was the right one but others are not so sure.

Competitive cheerleading is just that, it’s extremely competitive.  It involves some serious physical activity and cheerleaders must also be gymnasts.  They tumble, spin in the air, perform standing back flips and do full layout twists.  A cheerleading squad has guidelines for competition just as football and basketball players have guidelines.  They are given points for the difficulty of the moves, technique, and creativity in their routines, and how sharp they are.  The team earns more points if they are in-sync with each other and their movements are sharp and crisp.

A routine has to be completed in three minutes and fifteen seconds and the cheerleaders are restricted to a specific area in which to perform.  The cheerleader’s goals are to be the best.  The more difficult the stunt or maneuver, the better their score is.  Cheerleading is a team sport and teammates must trust the rest of the team especially when doing complex stunts, tosses, and flips.  Pyramids are a favorite stunt but without teamwork and cooperation the team will not go far in competition.

Why do Americans feel that cheerleading is not a sport?  Maybe it is because they don’t handle objects or balls, if you don’t count pom-poms, signs, or megaphones.  Other sports do not include handling a ball such as ice-skating, boxing, swimming, and wrestling.  Many feel cheerleaders are there only to entertain the crowd.  In today’s high-level competitions, cheerleaders work just as hard as other athletes and they must work together as a team for the right effect.

Many now have hopes their particular low-profile sport will soon gain recognition.  Professional dance teams are hoping they will be recognized as a sport as well.  Cheerleaders hope to have cheerleading involved in the Olympics stating they are just as athletic and physically fit as those who are paying football and basketball, or any other team sport.

Cheerleaders hope that they will be given a new amount of respect since cheering has been ruled a sport.  They hope no longer to hold second place to the players on the field.  Everyone has not accepted recognition of the sport of cheerleading and some are actively opposing it.  The people who have lobbied against adding cheerleading as a sport has not decided if they will appeal the decision by the International Sports Verification Committee.

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