Do you think that cheerleading is a sport?
542550
The definition of sport had been blurred since we moved away from the Greek view that it was running, throwing and fighting.\n\nAs the definitions of sport all centre around "an activity carried out in competition usually to a set of rules" then yes cheer-leading qualifies.  This is such a loose definition however it leave the door open for "tiddlywinks" and beer chugging :-)
933386
Most cheerleaders say “YES” while state and school officials say “no.” According to the National Federation of High School Athletic Associations, seventeen to twenty states of the United States consider cheerleading a sport. Why is the question, “Is cheerleading a sport?” such a controversial issue to anyone not involved with the sport? According to MSN Encarta, the definition of sport is an individual or group competitive activity involving physical exertion or skill, governed by rules, and sometimes engaged in professionally. Because cheerleading follows every aspect defined under the word sport, it is my belief that cheerleading should be defined as an actual sport.\n\nThe word cheerleader no longer means a sideline of squads that exist solely to support other sporting teams. Cheer teams are teams in their own right. College and high school cheer teams compete\nfor national titles just as football, basketball, baseball, etc. Cheerleaders are recruited for college scholarships that have been known to exceed amounts awarded to other sports teams. Some cheer teams put in more hours in the gym than teams such as football and basketball. Cheerleaders have to be in just as good physical condition as any other sport participant.\n\nCheerleading in the early years was nothing like the sport it is today. Over the past few decade cheerleading has evolved from leading audiences with simple arm movements to treacherous towers of humans and elaborate dances that are used to show the athleticism of cheerleaders. Cheerleading has developed from selections based on popularity to one that now claims some of the more talented athletes in the school/program.\n\nCheerleaders are not seen as athletes, but seen as being athletic. Cheerleaders are very specialized athletes. Most do not understand the skill and athleticism required by cheerleading. The gymnastics ability, power and strength make cheerleaders some of the more wellrounded athletes in sports. Cheerleading not only teaches coordination and helps condition competitors, but it also teaches teamwork, leadership, communication skills, organizational skills, productivity and much more.\n\nCheerleading contributes to the overall physical fitness of those involved. Many teams are in the gym four to six days a week working out, practicing, stretching and conditioning for upcoming performances or competitions. Running increases one’s lung power and endurance. Stretching, jumping, taking gymnastics and aerobics all help keep the body toned and healthy. So as you can see, cheerleading practice and workouts are much like those of other sports.\n\nWhen it comes to funding issues, the sport of cheerleading is not equally supported. Monies are contributed to sports that do not consistently perform well. Cheer teams that do perform well usually do not receive the monetary compensations for their performances. Scholarships, donations from alumni, and extra funding to the school rarely get distributed to the cheer programs. Programs known for winning national titles over several years occasionally receive monies. I believe this occurs only once the administration realizes the need to keep those athletes in their program. Cheerleading does not bring the revenue to schools like football games; however, the publicity that some cheer teams contribute to the school can be profitable in other ways.\n\nAs a former cheerleader myself, I remember having long and strenuous practices which seemed to last forever. Because my life was so into cheerleading, I did and still consider cheerleading a sport. I have always told people who I’ve talked to about cheerleading that I consider it to be a sport. After being exposed to the competitiveness of cheerleading, I stand stronger behind my beliefs in the sport of cheerleading.\n\nBeing a co-owner and one of the head coaches for Clarksville Cheer Extreme, an all star cheerleading gym in Clarksville, Tennessee, I see the importance of the kids being in exce
439588
A sport should meet three criteria:\n\nI. It should require athletic ability.\nII. It should involve some unique skills.\nIII. It should involve direct head-to-head competition in which one side's performance directly affects the other side's.\n\nIn this case, while cheerleading may meet the first two criteria, it does not meet the final one. Thus, cheerleading, like ice skating or gymnastics, is not a "sport".
307646
Yes definitely!\n\nImagine a football player having to run a play, while reciting a cheer, staying in step with the player next to him (or her), then at the correct moment have three to four players lift him up.  Cheerleaders do it.\n\nA high school cheerleader will, in most cases, memorize the names of all of the football and basketball players in order to do personalized cheers...on top of the pages of generic cheers they must learn.  A football player does have plays to remember, but he doesn't have to worry about the basketball team.\n\nIf you take five football players, five basketball players and five cheerleaders and required them to score a touchdown, score a basket and put someone in a half, (a half is where the flyer is lifted to sholder height of the bases) the cheerleaders will win.  There is a specific way the flyer has to jump into the hands of the bases or it's not going to go up.  Throwing a football can be done most anyway you hold it.  It may not go far, and it may not spiral, but it will go.  A basketball does not have to roll off the fingertips to score, but it will go into the basket.\n\nI broke my finger playing football as a child.  I ripped the tendon in my shoulder while playing centerfield as a teen.  I didn't injure myself playing basketball, but I did play on a league as a teen.  I have never been able to do anything above a thigh stand in cheerleading.  So, I am familiar with all sports as a participant.\n\nCheerleading is definitely a sport.  Like football, there are "plays" to remember and execute.  Like basketball, there is timing.  Like running, there is endurance.  The only difference is the participants have perfect hair the entire time.
637210
I've been a dancer all of my life and have been asked this question many times...  I don't know that I would call it a sport.  When I think of a sport I think of someone winning something.  While, yes, there are dance competitions, I think that they are worthless.\nI think that dance is something that is extremely athletic to the point that it is a sport just minus the competiveness.  If you asked anyone off the street to do a combination of dance steps, there is no way they would be able to do it.  If a basketball player was asked to do some dance steps, they'd be unable to do it.  Dancers are athletes for sure.  Whether dance is a sport or not is something different.  I guess if they can call cheerleading a sport, dance is a sport too.  You know, "Cheerleaders are dancers gone retarded!"
62518
Please find Heather Jeffries, M.P.A opinion here:\n\nMost cheerleaders say “YES” while state and school officials say “no.” According to the National Federation of High School Athletic Associations, seventeen to twenty states of the United States consider cheerleading a sport. Why is the question, “Is cheerleading a sport?” such a controversial issue to anyone not involved with the sport? According to MSN Encarta, the definition of sport is an individual or group competitive activity involving physical exertion or skill, governed by rules, and sometimes engaged in professionally. Because cheerleading follows every aspect defined under the word sport, it is my belief that cheerleading should be defined as an actual sport.\n\nThe word cheerleader no longer means a sideline of squads that exist solely to support other sporting teams. Cheer teams are teams in their own right. College and high school cheer teams compete\nfor national titles just as football, basketball, baseball, etc. Cheerleaders are recruited for college scholarships that have been known to exceed amounts awarded to other sports teams. Some cheer teams put in more hours in the gym than teams such as football and basketball. Cheerleaders have to be in just as good physical condition as any other sport participant.\n\nCheerleading in the early years was nothing like the sport it is today. Over the past few decade cheerleading has evolved from leading audiences with simple arm movements to treacherous towers of humans and elaborate dances that are used to show the athleticism of cheerleaders. Cheerleading has developed from selections based on popularity to one that now claims some of the more talented athletes in the school/program.\n\nCheerleaders are not seen as athletes, but seen as being athletic. Cheerleaders are very specialized athletes. Most do not understand the skill and athleticism required by cheerleading. The gymnastics ability, power and strength make cheerleaders some of the more wellrounded athletes in sports. Cheerleading not only teaches coordination and helps condition competitors, but it also teaches teamwork, leadership, communication skills, organizational skills, productivity and much more.\n\nCheerleading contributes to the overall physical fitness of those involved. Many teams are in the gym four to six days a week working out, practicing, stretching and conditioning for upcoming performances or competitions. Running increases one’s lung power and endurance. Stretching, jumping, taking gymnastics and aerobics all help keep the body toned and healthy. So as you can see, cheerleading practice and workouts are much like those of other sports.\n\nWhen it comes to funding issues, the sport of cheerleading is not equally supported. Monies are contributed to sports that do not consistently perform well. Cheer teams that do perform well usually do not receive the monetary compensations for their performances. Scholarships, donations from alumni, and extra funding to the school rarely get distributed to the cheer programs. Programs known for winning national titles over several years occasionally receive monies. I believe this occurs only once the administration realizes the need to keep those athletes in their program. Cheerleading does not bring the revenue to schools like football games; however, the publicity that some cheer teams contribute to the school can be profitable in other ways.\n\nAs a former cheerleader myself, I remember having long and strenuous practices which seemed to last forever. Because my life was so into cheerleading, I did and still consider cheerleading a sport. I have always told people who I’ve talked to about cheerleading that I consider it to be a sport. After being exposed to the competitiveness of cheerleading, I stand stronger behind my beliefs in the sport of cheerleading.\n\nBeing a co-owner and one of the head coaches for Clarksville Cheer Extreme, an all star cheerleading gym in Clarksville, Tenn
469921
yes cheerleading is a sport. especially competive cheering with stunts involved. its so funny to hear boys talk about how its not a sport, but imagine how much more funny it would be to watch them try it. it's difficult to do, it takes talent and stamena, practice and technique. Just because your not knocking anyone down to get a ball, doesnt make it any less of a sport. Its alot more then kicking and screaming, anyone that can actually do it can tell you that. You can't "play" swimming but its still a sport. Idiots.
581710
Yes it is a sport people do not realize how hard it is until they try it. Cheerleaders are in great shape work out in gym three times a week or more and practie 3 or 4 nights a week. Hard work and lots of sweat goes into making a good squad. Do not care what any one say cheerleading is a sport and i'm proud to have been one.
399883
I think it takes alot of athleticism...  Definitely a sport.
872268
yes i love cheering i have been cheering since i was 4. im in 7th grade n ow and am on a competition squad!
37133
Cheerleading has always been my favorite sport to watch.  I have never participated in it, but when I was younger I tried to get sporty with several different cheerleaders.  Unfortuately I never made the team.
478274
I think you nailed it. It fits the definition of a sport, \n\n"an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition" .
1155966
Hmm..okay okay, to be honest I would probably consider Cheerleading a sport. Because...even Badminton is considered a sport and that's almost effortless.. I'm sure yall take alot of energy and endurance to do some of your cheerleading activities...just like gymnists. I think the reason they don't enlist it under Sports much is because sports seem more based on...i dont know...traditional outdoor agreesive playing i guess...and cheerleading seems more like a performance maybe? i think that's it...dat pplz look at cheerleading more like a performance...but it should be considered a sport.
424472
No, sport is a direct competition of fastest, strongest, and other physical activities. Not who can lie the best, not who looks the prettiest as in other sports. Sport should have to be something that you sweat for.
373044
of course it is a sport! why do you think it's in the Olympics! I used to do gymnastic and believe me it is not easy at all i have also done basketball and volleyball but those two didn't compare up to the difficulty of gymnastics. To do gymnastic you have to be crazy strong, you have to have so much endurance to nail that back tuck and the end of your routine. People who don't think the gymnastics is a sport are probably just jealous because they could never in there life do what gymnast do. Personally I think gymnasts like Carly Patterson are awesome people to look up to because they are amazing!
1008036
Cheerleading (and figure skating) are not sports.  They are specialized popularity contests.  The results of their activity cannot be measured by instruments nor can the winner be determined by an indisputable score.\n\nCheerleaders perform to please some judges who rank those performances strictly on subjective means.\n\nThe athleticism and conditioning of these groups are impressive indeed and they are fun to observe, but a sport?\n\nSorry, no.
980385
Here is a definition of "sport" from Wikipedia:\n\n"A sport is an activity requiring physical ability, physical fitness or physical skill which usually, but not always, involves competition between two or more people."\n\nI would say that competitive and sideline cheerleading are sports.  There is physical demand and there are several physical skills that not everybody can posses, and it is not necessary to  compete to be considered a sport.\n\nI was never a cheerleader, I was one of those male major sport athlete where the cheerleaders cheered for me!  And I can't do those things that they do!