Argumentative Essay: Is Cheerleading A Sport?

Is cheerleading a sport? Yes, cheerleading is a sport. Many people may argue that cheerleading doesn 't take any real skill, although it actually requires a lot . Cheerleading is very dangerous, takes high amounts of dedication, also fits all the aspects of being a sport, including competition. Cheerleading is considered one of the most dangerous sports in the United States. Cheerleading is considered one of the most dangerous sports because many cheerleaders end up with severe and career-ending injuries. Some of the injuries cheerleaders experience are; ACL tears, skull fractures, and bicep tears. Cheerleaders start at a young age and mostly go to the age of 18, sometimes further, if they carry on their careers in college. Head coach Lauren Gryskiewicz, a veteran cheerleading judge says, “There are kids 4 years old doing things that

All true sports take a lot of dedication. Cheerleading does take a large amount of dedication just like any other sport does. Gregory Sean from TIMES Magazine says, “They train in the gym twice a week, not including time spent during games—or even the conditioning they do outside the structured practices.” While looking at things more in depth, two times a week seems to be a minimum amount compared to most teams. Many people say that cheerleading is not a sport because it does not involve a defined strategy, which is not true (Delp). When it comes to competitive cheer, there is a lot more than yelling chants. Cheerleading requires sharp/quick motions, strength, along with perfect timing. Cheerleaders have to have the ability to throw 100+ pound girls in the air and be able to catch them. In conclusion, cheerleading is dangerous, competitive, and takes time and dedication. These are all the components of what society considers a “true sport.” So what is stopping schools and associations from considering it one? Society and the cheer community should do anything in their power to get people to realize that cheerleading is a