cheerleading?

Question

I noticed that when i went into sports that cheerleading was not an option to pick.. I was just wondering who here thinks cheer is not a sport first of all we use our arms alot to hold people up we tumble we workout just as much as other sports. and also if cheerleading is not a sport then why is it on E.S.P.N. who here agrees with me that cheerleading is a sport??

All-star cheerleader

Answer 1

Cheerleading is a sport. I heard somewhere that cheerleading is the only sport where you use all the muscle in your body. If it wasn't a sport cheerleaders wouldn't have sore muscles at the end of a practice. Think about it in most sports the heaviest thing you lift is a ball that weighs less than one lb. Cheerleaders lift another person.

Answer 2

Of course it is a sport. you dont see football players throwing the people in the air, do you? if a cheerleader fumbles the flyer, the flyer could DIE or break very vital things...To the comment on the judges, football and soccer have judges in a way to...the referee has to decide whether or not plays are legal and whatnot...Also, since two squads having the exact smae routing is HIGHLY unlikely (no, the bring it on 1 routines were NOT identical) there is no reason really to argue the point, but im angry now, so im just going to day that even though both squads hit everything perfectly, they also get judged on spirit, and not one squad can have the same spirit...okay?

Answer 3

Cheerleading is not a sport. Neither is gymnastics, diving, figure skating, or any other athletic competition in which the winner is determined by a panel of judges.

Cheerleaders are definately athletes, probably some of the most well rounded athletes, but what they do cannot be considered "sport" by the definition of the word. A sport is defined as a physical activity governed by a set of rules. Although there are rules and guidelines in competetive cheerleading, the judges are the ones who govern the competition...not the set of rules. Two teams can do the exact same routine with the same amount of difficulty and two judges will score them differently.

This is not possible in sports. A basketball team cannot score more points but the other team wins because their execution was better. The football team with less points would never win simply because they "sold their game" to the crowd. Sports leave no room for interpretation. Some may argue that umpires and referees are the "judges" and that they are the ones who determine the winner, but they are only present to ensure fair game play...furthermore, when unfair refereeing does happen, the game is viewed to be crooked.

Bottom line: The winner of a sporting event has either scored more goals, made more baskets, scored more runs, ran the fastest, etc. They know immediately whether or not they have won...they do not have to wait to get a judge's score.

The only sport I can think of that may depend on a judge to decide the winner is boxing, and that is only when the fight has gone on for too long and not using judges may result in serious injury or death.

So, what I am saying is, although I don't consider cheering a sport, I still have great respect for the athletes who compete in the activity. The ESPN argument doesn't hold up, since Poker and Fishing are also shown on sports channels. And the "sports medicine" argument doesn't hold up either...what are they going to do?...create a brand new clinic specializing in "cheer medicine". Cheerleaders injuries are very similar to sport injuries, if not more severe...but that doesn't change the definition.

Branding cheerleading with the term "sport" does not give it more merit or make it more respectable. Nascar is considered a sport. Golf is considered a sport. Have you seen some of the golfers and Nascar drivers? Do they look like athletes? Could they do what cheerleaders do without having a heart attack? The word sport has little value. The true argument should be that "cheerleaders are incredible athletes"...then you may have a leg to stand on.

And to HomieGirl...you completely missed the point. I acknowledged the fact that there are referees in many sports that ensure that rules are not broken...that is all they do. They do not judge which team deserves to win though based on enthusiasm, showmanship, uniforms and ponytails, facial expression, etc. And about the two squads doing exact routines...it was a hypothetical...do you understand hypotheticals? My point was, that even if two teams were to do the exact same routines (which is unlikely...thus hypothetical), judges could view the routines differently determine different winners. Just because an activity is dangerous and difficult does not mean it is a sport...I think trapeze artists and tight rope walkers have a pretty difficult and dangerous gig. And if lifting something heavy qualifies the activity as a sport, there are some guys that work in the warehouse at my job that are actually participating in a sport instead of moving furniture. Hmmm? Next time try reading an entire post, analyzing it with an open mind and then form an opinion...don't argue blindly.

Answer 4

When cheerleadings go to a doctor that specializes in sports related injuries and said doctor comments that cheerleaders are worse than football players about "playing hurt", I'd say it's a sport.

And, from what I understand, don't EVEN try to say that cheerleading isn't a sport in Texas, they try to kill people over there when it comes to cheerleading.

Answer 5

cheerleading is so a sport , it is the best sport out there . i think cheerleaders work harder than any other athlete in the world and if you dont belive me cheer on an all-star team or a competative team !!!!!!!!

Answer 6

CHEERLEADING IS SO A SPORT in fact, it is the best sport in the whole world I cheer for All-Stars and we can do things that no other sport can do cheerleading is the hardest sport ever CHEERING IS AWESOME!!!

Answer 7

cheering is a sport i do all-stars and we rock we have fulls doubles standing doubles and so much more no mater what anyone says its always a sport and we get hurt more then anyother sport

Answer 8

I do!