Why do some people think cheerleading is not a sport?
606302
I agree that cheerleading requires lots of athletic and mental ability. Frankly, some of the jumps and flips are very dangerous. I think it's good that there are cheerleading competitions, which score athleticism, gymnastics, and choreography.\n\nI think it's not viewed as a sport because the purpose of cheerleading is to cheer participants of another sport. Doesn't make sense to cheer an empty field does it? Another problem is how many sports (with a majority of females) do you know where short skirts and make-up are the norm? (Ok, figure skating--but look at all the scandels they've had.) The short skirts and make-up make cheerleaders seem more like they're in a beauty pageant than in a sport.
1058913
Now that you mention it, I guess I never really considered it a sport.  But it is when you go to competition & get scored, I guess, now isn't it?\n\nIt's just the same reason that people would say dance, cheer, or swim may not be a sport.  How about figure skating?\n\nPeople usually equate sports with those we competed in in high school - football, basketball, softball, baseball....I wouldn't consider track or cross country sports either, I don't guess.  Just because there's a squad, group, or team doesn't necessarily mean it's a sport.\nBut then it doesn't mean it's NOT, either.\n\nIt all depends on a person's perspective.\nNext time a friend or family member gives you crap about it, throw your board down & see how far they can get before landing on their heads.  \nIt takes a LOT of skill and coordination, and that's good enough for me.  Rock on.
641315
I don't think a lot of people realize how competitive and athletic cheerleading has become.  I think back to when I was in high school and all the cheerleaders did back then was dance a little and kick a little and shake their pom-poms and lead cheers and look all cute and perky.\n\n"Rah rah ree, kick 'em in the knee!\n Rah rah razz, kick 'em in the other knee!"\n\nIn fact, in my high school, and I'm sure in most others at the time - this was about 25 years ago now - cheerleaders were voted on by the student body, so it was as much a popularity contest as it was anything else.\n\nI look at the junior high and high school cheerleader squads nowadays, and I'm seeing all sorts of flips and throws and athletic stunts that they would have thought to be absolutely insane back when I was that age.  \n\nAs far as what to do to explain to people what cheerleading is now as opposed to how they remember it?  Perhaps when you have your sign-up nights, you could arrange to have some videos running that show competitions and what the girls will be expected to do, or have some visual of that nature, maybe even a demo or two by your current squad, so that the parents and the girls can see how cheerleading has evolved into the sport it is now, rather than the primping and giggling that it used to be.
944922
Actually studies show that cheerleaders are around the top of the list in being the most athletic in all sports. You have to be able to hold the weight of up to your 3rd to 4th lightest person in your group. Run, jump and bend. Therefore you are working Cardio, flexability and muscle fitness and all to a beat when many have no rhythm.\n\nMy webster pocket definition of sport is athletic game,      fun or play. It says nothing of competition.\n\nSo to answer your question Yes.\n\nAnd no I was not a cheerleader. I just like clearing misconceptions
1066213
Sports are a great diversion. Especially for men, I believe, it allows them to unleash emotion in ways that are no longer tolerable elsewhere in society. It allows us to reach back to our primal instincts. There is clear victory and defeat, and cheering is a great release of stress. Unfortunately, losing only adds to our stress. That's why you see so many people jumping on the bandwagon of a winning team
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.
1110240
Because it isn't a sport. It's a way of life.
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.
484933
This question is one that will never be answered correctly or incorrectly.  The one thing that can be said for it is that it is an athletic endeavor.\n\nThere are two major schools of thought on this.  One, there are contests to see which is better so therefore it is a sport.  The other is that since the contests are decided by a third party it is not a sport but a competition.\n\nOne also must look at what types of cheerleading is being done.  Is it merely standing on the sidelines, waving pompoms and saying chants or is it going backflips and pyramids and throws?  Most would be more likely to call the latter a sport while considering the former not a sport.\n\nIn any case, as long as whomever is participating and/or watching is having a good time, then it is all good.\n\nGO TEAM!
1037332
cheerleading. and yes it is a sport.
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!
727523
It is definitely one of the hardest sports.\nIt takes the strength of a football player, the gracefulness of a dancer or ice skater, the dairingness of a skydiver, and the endurance of a marathon runner. It is also hard to because it is an individual sport. Often times you are competing against your own teammates. There is no filling in for other people, either. But it is also the best sport ever!!!!\n\nLike the saying goes, "If gymnastics were easy, it would be called football!!"
632333
**** ALL OF YOU WHO SAY ITS NOT A SPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im not a slut and nethier are most of my teamates we bust our butts harder than most people that are in sports my age and you havent even seen how bad you can hurt yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\nCompetition is DEFINATLY a sport its acctually the most deadly one and you can only do it through high school (in a gym) or college! I half agree with the first answer if u are a little football cheerleader and ur not very good than it's not really a sport but if its 4 ur school u had to be good 2 make it (unless ur team suks then its not a sport)
494301
Some schools let it be a sport, but many schools prohibit the acrobatics and other things that make cheerleading a sport.
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
1086516
Yes .. it is a sport ... and a silly one.
22682
To answer this question, you would have to ask yourself the definition of "sport." A sport consists of a physical activity carried out with a recreational purpose for competition, for self-enjoyment, to attain excellence, for the development of a skill, or some combination of these. A sport has physical activity, side by side competition, self-motivation and a scoring system. The difference of purpose is what characterises sport, combined with the notion of individual (or team) skill or prowess.\n\nAs you can see, a sport is a physical activity, which cheerleading is, and deals with competition, and I know there are cheerleading competitions. Cheerleading can be done individualy or with a team. So YES! I believe cheerleading is indeed a sport.\n\nTHE ABOVE STATEMENT BY THE OTHER PERSON IS FALSE. READ THE DEFINITION AND YOU WILL SEE THAT A SPORT CAN INDEED BE FOR SELF ENJOYMENT. Thanks.