What Makes Cheerleading A Sport?

Worldwide, people stay involved in various sports and activities. However, the definition of a sport faces widespread debate. Cheerleading is a primary example of a sport commonly involved in debates on whether or not it fits the criteria of being considered a sport. The Western Gazette, Western University’s official student newspaper, released an article about what defines a sport. Author John Wang stated, “In its most general definition, sports need to fill three requirements: physical exertion or skill, competition between players or teams, and a defined set of rules that the competition has to follow” (Wang). Cheerleading is a sport because it requires physical activity, competes against others, and has set rules. Cheerleading fits the

Stunting is the primary method of performing and competing in high school and competitive cheerleading. Additionally, competitions against other teams are present in high school and competitive cheerleading. Meeting requirements to be an acknowledged sport goes beyond physical activity. The competitive aspect of cheerleading is a primary reason this sport fits the criteria. Kelly Scaletta is a professional sports writer for the NBA and Bleacher Report. Scaletta regarded what is considered a sport in his article “Settling the Debates: Is It a Sport or Not a Sport?” Competitions are required within a sport to decide winners and losers. Without competition, an activity is not a sport (Scaletta). Both types of cheerleading involve competing against other teams. In high school cheer, annual competitions occur where cheerleaders show off their routines in hopes of

However, all of these rebuttals are simply not true. Cheerleading is greater than the stereotypical pom-pom waving on the sidelines. Sideline cheer is only a part of cheerleading. The competitive aspect of cheerleading is where skills take the stage. Additionally, cheerleading competitions include going head-to-head against other teams for a title. Although sideline cheerleading is not competitive, the main competition is the primary setting for competitiveness. In competitions, cheerleaders and coaches follow specific guidelines when producing routines. Within these regulations, coaches produce unique performances based on the goals of standing out and showing off impressive skills. Cheerleading meets the same criteria as all other sports. The primary argument against cheerleading is that it is not a sport. Athletes from other sports often argue that cheerleading does not require the same time commitment as other sports. Athletes in other sports practice daily for hours and regularly compete against other teams. However, this is not true. Cheerleading requires the same time commitment as other