Ten Reasons Why Cheerleading is a Great Sport

With cheerleading becoming more popular, why not give it a go?

I’m not too sure why but cheer gets a bad reputation. It is often seen as a sport that is “easy” or “not serious.” But the truth is cheerleading is rather serious and isn’t easy at all. Anyone that has participated in cheer would know that it is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. Cheerleading requires athleticism, strength, flexibility, coordination, and dedication. With its great physical rewards, cheer is also a social, team-based activity that can help boost children’s self-confidence and leadership skills. With all of that being said, here are ten reasons (in no particular order) why cheerleading is so awesome.

Ready OKAY!

Team Building: Like all team sports, cheerleading isn’t all just about the physical benefits. There is so much more to it than that. Sports can help teach children life skills such as teamwork, communication, discipline and patience. Squad members must learn how to rely on each other in order to complete stunts and dance routines.

Confidence: Sports like cheerleading can help kids boost their confidence in addition to their level of athleticism. Knowing that you are a part of a team that is boosting up the level of school spirit and putting ear-to-ear smiles on the crowd’s face should be more than enough to elevate any young girl’s level of confidence.

Strength Building: Excellent athletes make the sport of cheer look effortless but executing it correctly requires physical muscles in the legs, shoulders and core. Certain positions on the squad such as bases and back spots must be able to support the bottom of a stunt. This takes astounding strength, focus and balance. Flyers need impeccable strength and flexibility to position their bodies in the air while performing a stunt.

Building Great Relationships with Team Members: While being on a cheer team your teammates become like your sisters. You are cheering at every football and basketball game with them, going to every competition with them and marching in the local parade with them. Through all the ups and downs of it, cheerleading forms lots of long lasting friendships.

Educational Benefits: In order to be on a school cheer squad, your grades must be on point. According to information collected by statisticians via the National Cheerleaders Association, 82 percent of cheerleaders maintain a grade point average equivalent to a B or higher. Having and maintaining such good grades can even lead to a scholarship. That same study says that a little bit over 80 percent of cheerleaders are accepted into college.

Leadership: Cheerleading gives children the opportunity to learn some great leadership skills. While participating in cheer, one may make suggestions for new cheers and routines. Even if you are not the captain by the end of the season you will learn how to take charge.

Physical Endurance: People may say that cheerleaders are just there for moral support while the “real” athletes are out on the field or the court. In all reality, this is the furthest thing from the truth. The tumbling, dances and stunts that are involved in cheerleading take a lot of practice. Football players throw a two-pound ball; cheerleaders throw 100-pound girls into the air.

 Good Memories: Let’s be honest here cheerleading is very physically demanding but it’s also tons of fun. Football games are very action packed and many people love to attend. I myself will never forget my Pep Squad days in 8^th grade waving my red pom-poms, selling candy to raise money for the football team and marching in the Thanksgiving parade.

Flexibility: No sport makes you more flexible than cheerleading. In practice as a cheerleader, you will be doing all sorts of stretches to become more flexible. After all, how else would you be busting out those kicks, flips and splits?

Fashion: I know this may not sound like much of a benefit, but in the long run it is. When a cheerleader throws on her uniform consisting of her skirt, shell and cheer shoes, she is a representation of her school. As the old saying goes, when you look good you feel good.