Flyers soar 15 feet into the air, twisting and turning before landing in the awaiting arms of their teammates. Young women are hoisted into the air where they balance on one foot. The entire team moves as one, executing a sequence of flips across the mat. And yet – some people still don’t see cheerleading as a sport.
According to Cambridge Dictionary, a sport is “a game, competition, or activity needing physical effort and skill that is played or done according to rules, for enjoyment and/or as a job.”
By that definition, cheerleading qualifies – clearly and completely.
Despite being most commonly seen on the sidelines, competitive cheerleading is a central part of the activity. Much like gymnastics or figure skating, routines are scored based on technical elements such as difficulty, creativity, and execution. Judges deduct points for mistakes, and teams compete directly against one another for placements, trophies and titles. Competition is a big check.
Additionally, the physical demands are undeniable. Lifting teammates requires strength in the core, arms and legs. Being able to tumble requires balance, coordination, and flexibility. A routine typically lasts anywhere from two and a half to three minutes and requires endurance, precision, and perfect synchronization. Every moment must be sharp, controlled, and timed exactly. Another check for cheerleading.
The next part of the definition says that there must be rules, which brings us back to the competitions. Most competitions have a set of foundational skills that must be included in your routine in order for it to be valid. Moreso, routines must take place on a 42’ by 54’ mat and strict safety regulations dictate stunt height, spotting requirements and skill progression. Check again.
Many people associate cheerleading with school spirit at football or basketball games, but that is only one part of the activity. Programs begin as early as elementary school, building the skills that will progress into more competitive high school and collegiate teams. At the professional level, cheerleading can become a job. National sports like football and basketball commonly have cheerleading teams, and those sports are highly competitive. Auditions are multi-round, rigorous, and draw candidates from across the country.
Apart from the definition, there’s other things commonly seen in sports also seen in cheerleading. There’s uniforms and the athletes attend practice multiple times a week in order to be prepared.
Beyond the definition, cheerleading shares other core characteristics of all sports. It’s a team endeavor, in which there’s multiple roles or “positions” but you all work towards the same goal. There’s multiple practices a week which require consistent discipline and commitment. There are even uniforms and performance standards.
Still, critics argue that because cheerleading was originally created as a way to support other teams, it should not be considered its own sport. To apply that logic to today is to ignore all of the ways cheer has evolved over time. American football once resembled rugby, and basketball was transformed with the introduction of dribbling and a shot clock. If these sports can grow and adapt to be more exciting and competitive, why can’t cheer?
Another argument points to the lack of a single governing body overseeing all cheerleading competitions. While it is true that rules can vary between organizations, this does not negate the athleticism, structure, or competitiveness of the activity. To dismiss cheerleading on this basis alone undermines the years of training, discipline, and physical effort athletes dedicate to it.
When we stop calling something a sport, there is the immediate assumption that the people who take part in it are not athletes. That distinction carries weight. It shapes how their work is perceived and valued.
So is it fair to the primarily young women who have devoted years to mastering this craft, who have trained as rigorously as any other team, who have pushed their bodies to the same limits, only to be told they are not athletes?
Cheer is a sport, for cheerleaders are athletes.
