Entry #1-Cheerfully yours: Cheerleading Chronical
A controversial topic arises when discussing the validity of sports and what they mean by definition. Well many would like to say that contact and competition are what make up good sport. Others might mention the sportsmanship, and teamwork that comes with being involved in a group sport. These factor are all involved in a sport that I have dedicated 9 years of my life to. That sport is all-star competitive cheerleading. Many would like to argue that there is not physical contact involved invalidating its standing as a "real sport". However, there are unfortunately many accidents in cheerleading due to the contact involved with the sport. Ranging from serious injuries involving broken bones, torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments. As well as dislocations of joints and concussions. I myself have even experienced some of these injuries multiple times due to this sport. As well as witnessing these injuries while coaching or participating in this sport.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/I_MI3HvI--w?feature=share
Senior Elite, Cheer Extreme All Stars 2022 worlds elite stunt sequence.
Cheerleading is also very competitive. From the moment you step into any gym across the world you are surrounded by some of the most talented athletes you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. This environment is competitive. Only the best are selected for high caliber teams. There are even girls and boys that travel across the country and sometimes the world to have the chance to compete on these high caliber teams. While I was not one of these athletes, I have witnessed girls come and go to other gyms to get their one chance at "making it" in the cheer world.
Now I know some are confused and that is ok. Cheerleading is very simple once it is explained. "Making it" in the cheer world involves winning intense competitions around the country. Some of the major competitions include NCA, Cheersport, Spirit of Hope, Jamz, Majors, and UCA. However all of these smaller competitions lead up to the most important competition of the entire season (June of the previous year stated in the competition to May of that following year for example starting in 2024 and ending in 2025) The Cheerleading Worlds. In the Cheerleading world, Worlds is compared to the Olympics. Where athletes, like myself, trained their entire season for one chance at becoming a world champion.
https://triblive.com/local/murrysville/mckeesport-cheer-team-wins-iasf-worlds-championship/
Cheerleading at the end of the day is more than just a sport. or some controversial topic that many would like to argue over. It is a passion, dedication, and life style. Without cheerleading I wouldn't be who I am today. Strong, passionate, stubborn, competitive, and so many other aspects of my life would not be the same without cheerleading.
https://www.coachup.com/nation/articles/cheer-training-fundamentals-of-cheer
I couldn’t agree more that cheer is more than a sport! I played 10 years of a contact sport and had the opportunity to have a very close childhood friend who devoted endless hours each week to competitive cheerleading. The talent and strength that cheerleaders possess astonishes me, and I couldn't believe the training I saw my friend undergoing for something she loved so much.I thought volleyball was hard growing up, but looking back at it, I would not have been able to lift nearly as much as she did or have half the flexibility that cheerleaders have!
ReplyDeleteHi I came into your blog and was drawn to this topic because I was a cheerleader too! You are right cheerleading does take a lot of discipline and it's not just a sport it's a passion. I think it's crazy that some people think it's not a sport because we cheerleaders do a lot of crazy stuff that takes a lot of hard work. I love the photo demonstrations of the kind of things cheerleaders do and I like how you listed the types of competitions cheerleaders would go to.
ReplyDeleteCheer is absolutely a sport! It's baffling to me that people would argue this! I think your points about discipline and how it's something you actually need to work for just prove this. You wouldn't just pick up and basketball and be Michael Jordan, so I think it's an unfair argument that cheerleading is any different. I also think your pictures show how much core strength and balance is needed for this sport. It truly is one of the most impressive sports, in m opinion.
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