Those who say cheerleading isn’t a sport- just dare to spend one day in the life of a cheerleader. They work out and practice for hours almost 7 days a week non-stop for only 3 minutes of performing. Not only do they have to get ready for competitions, but they have to stand in the cold during a football match with nothing on but a tank top, a skirt, socks and shoes. Cheerleaders of course know that there is no such thing as perfection, but they are trying to reach perfection day after day. Cheerleading is a sport indeed, moreover it is a really dangerous sport. For those of you who still doubt what it takes to be involved in Cheerleading, here are 8 obvious demands of being a Cheerleader:
3. Training & Practice
Cheerleaders have to train and practice non-stop, they are constantly trying to perfect the routines which we see at the games. Isn’t it exactly what sportsmen do all the time?
6. Injury risk
You’ll be surprised to know that cheerleaders get injured much more frequently than in any other sport-like activity in the world. Performing a tricky stunt jumpers have to trust their lives with the people assigned to catch them, which makes it even more dangerous. They know exactly what dedication and taking a risk is all about.
7. Competition
Another important reason to tell all the haters: Squads compete with each other, they get judged, they try to get the most points to beat the other team, they sweat like crazy and this is what a sport is.
8. A goal to win
Last but not the least, they don’t just shake their butt and scream to jazz up the crowd. They throw teammates in the air, they flip 10, 20 feet high, twist and lend on their feet. They have to be perfect. And at the same time they don’t have the right to make a mistake. The goal of any competition is to win, to be the best; cheerleading is no different.
They compete, they get injured, they work as a team, what could possibly make anyone think this is not a sport? However, whether or not cheerleading is a real sport is an issue that frankly may never be resolved. Let’s just hope that you at least began to respect what these girls do.