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How Cheerleading Is a Sport

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How Cheerleading Is a Sport
Many consider cheerleading not a sport, but the New York Times states, one of the quickest growing sports for girls in our country today is cheerleading. Additionally, the New York Times doesn’t differentiate between sideline and competition cheerleaders. Sideline cheerleaders are on the sideline cheering on the football team and getting the crowd pumped for the football game. A competition cheerleader competes against other schools or teams in competitions that last two minutes and thirty seconds which consist of stunting, tumbling, dancing and jumps. Cheerleading is a sport because it is made up of teamwork, vigorous practices, it’s very dangerous, and it has rules and guidelines like any other sport in today’s society.
Teamwork is the most important aspect in cheerleading. “Teamwork is not only crucial for executing the pyramid or stunt, but also to prevent injuries. Additionally, judges look at a squad's ability to function and perform as a team demonstrated by synchronization and execution of stunts” (Allen). Teamwork is defined as everyone working together to achieve a common goal. The main goal for a cheerleading competition is to get first place, but that doesn’t always happen. To achieve this goal, everyone has to be ready to go and work together, but also communicate as a team. A competitive cheerleaders’ goal is to do all they can to win the competition overall.
Keegan 2
Cheerleading is a sport that involving people working together as a team, but without cooperation, synchronization, and communication, first place is not attainable.
To be a cheerleader, you have to go to practice just like any other athlete. Cheerleaders have vigorous practices just like football. Competitive cheerleading is a sport that includes strength. For a person to be a cheerleader, you must be in shape and flexible because in a cheerleading routine you need to be able to tumble, stunt, jump, and dance without stopping for the entire two minutes and thirty



Cited: 1. Allen, Suzanne. "What Makes Cheerleading a Sport." LiveStrong.com. N.p., 02 July 2011. Web. 6 Feb 2012. 2. Carlon, Brianne . "Straight from the Judge 's Mouth." 14 12 2011: n. page. Web. 6 Feb. 2012. 3. "Girls ' Most Dangerous Sport." Live Science . N.p., 11 Nov 2008. Web. 6 Feb 2012. 4. Lauchaire, Nicole. "Being a Cheerleader - Is Cheerleading a Sport?." Vasity. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Feb 2012. 5. R, Renee. "Cheerleading is a sport ." Teen Ink. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Feb 2012.

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