Why don't people consider cheerleading a sport ?
139735
Because it isn't is why.
734047
Cheerleaders are no snobbier than anyone else. It is very poorly portrayed by the world. I am a cheerleader and we all get along really well with each other and with everyone else. I have a lot of other friends other than the girls on the squad and most of us do sports other than cheerleading as well. For example, most of us do volleyball. Because cheerleaders are on the volleyball team, does that make volleyball players snobby bitches too? I would hope not. It's just a sport and we don't feel any higher on the "food chain" than anyone else does. We work just as hard as many other sports. How long and how much muscle and training do you think it takes to lift a girl up into the air? Or do a bunch of "back flips"? I am not afraid to break my nails, I peel them off anyway. I sweat too. If you haven't been a part of cheerleading then you have no idea what you are talking about when you say that cheerleaders are mean and self fish. MOST cheerleaders are really nice. \n\nAs for you.. I think you need to try it and keep going with it. Just because you THINK the girls are mean, doesn't mean that they are going to be. You can always join another sport as a backup.
461639
cause they are stupid!!!! and they probably have never been in cheer and seen all the hard work that cheerleaders  put into cheerleading\npeace&&love♥\nOCwahine
590923
I'm not a cheerleader, and i dint really like cheerleaders, but i do think it is a sport because of all the stuff they have to do, i mean i may not like cheerleaders but i respect that they can do alot of hard stuff that other people cant do
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
764527
Definitely an art form.  You could try to call it a sport, but you'd have to use a loose definition of the word.  If you have judges, it's at least as much of a sport as figure skating.  (No disrespect for the physical requirements to be a dancer or skater, we are just talking about what you call it!)  \n\nI have trouble calling anything that is judged subjectively a sport, especially if the code of points used to score it may cause two competent judges to score it differently.  You'd know better than I if dancing falls into that category or not.
342832
Cheerleading is judged similarly to gymnastics and figure skating, and those sports are in the olympics. They are also very physically demanding. So yes cheerleading competitions are sports.
526208
It's all about Cheerleading. If you don't believe it's a sport try out for it. it'll cahnge your mind. It's hard work see for yourslef.
72890
Cheerleading in Australia.  It is not a big thing generally in Australia.  At the bigger games - games supported by corporations - yes we have cheerleaders.  It's not a career thing here.  It is one of those things we seem to be copying from the USA. On this basis it is not something most Australia are wrapped it. On the basis that it can be nice to look at while the team is taking a break, it is accepted and enjoyed. Naturally if you have a family member in the squad you probably are very into it.
5278
Good Question\nThe answer would be- Yes & No\nIt involves physical skill , so it qualifies as a sport & it has predictable & pre planned results , hence its not.
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.
474594
Cheerleading is good exercise, but it isn't a sport.  A sport has defined rules and defined scores that determine a winner.  Cheerleading, ice skating, and a lot of "sports" that require a judge to determine the score are not real sports, they are simply spectator events with judge based scoring.
1056679
Pride my friend. To much pride.  A lot of people after playing a sport for so long begin to think that other sports that are in contrast to theres are inferior. No harm in ignoring them and rockin out in what ever sport you play.  \n\n         I know where your coming from I played soccer for 12 years :)
606833
My guess would be that is too difficult to actually cheer at a game.  While football can be slow moving, it's still easy to cheer for.  A baseball game is pitch, wait, pitch.  The cheerleaders wouldn't be doing much more than the crowd.
28914
I consider it a sport because it is physical and requires some amount of skill.\n\nPETA typically over-exaggerates everything.  For instance, throwing maggots on people who buy fur coats and accusing anyone who sells meat of murder.
684646
i am and cheerleading is most definately a sport! we have competiotons and we run and work hard for our stunts and stuff i ring any guys neck that says it isnt because fottball is just a excuse for a bunch of men to pounch on each other pretending to fight for a ball i bet they like being on top of each other lol email me if ya want to chat bout stuff
337839
You certainly don't want to hear someone say this but please keep one thing in mind, not every person that tries out for a team get chosen.  Maybe there is a reason that you can't get it.  Maybe you are not cut out to be a cheerleader, maybe you should be on the team that is getting cheered on?