Athletes Lift Weights, Cheerleaders Lift Athletes
Whenever I tell people that I’m a Competitive Cheerleader, most people reply, “That’s not a real sport!” Most people in society don’t even know what a competitive cheerleader is or does, they associate this activity with a high school cheerleading. Although some of the techniques are similar they are two very different sports.
High School Cheerleader
Most people think…
· They are annoying people who try to entertain the audience at school sporting events
· They are attention seekers
· They are preppy stuck up people
Competitive Cheerleader
· They are talented athletes
· They hard workers, who are fighting for the gold
· They are kids that love to compete
In reply to these stereotypes, I respond to the unique characteristics of Competitive Cheerleading and provide detailed facts of why this activity is really a sport. Competitive cheerleading is classified as one of the most dangerous sports in the world. Cheerleaders get injuries twice as often as any other sport. For example, in the gym where I cheer competitively, we have an injury at least twice a week. Some are serious and others minor infractions.
The definition of a sport - a physical exertion or skill in which an individual or team compete against one another or others.
The definition of competitive cheerleading- a physical exertion, having an organized routine where you compete against others
So if you observe the two definitions above you will see their similarities. Then why isn’t it a sport?
A lot of non-cheerleaders fail to realize that being a competitive cheerleader takes a lot of skill and technique. If you don’t use the proper method, then someone could get hurt. Look at the video below to get an idea of how dangerous this sport actually is, and you be the judge!
If you looked at this video and watched you will notice that it takes a strong athlete to do these things, Competitive cheerleaders live to do this kind of stuff and to hear from people daily that it’s not a sport. How do you think that makes us feel? We work just as hard as any other athlete if not harder but somehow people still try to downgrade us. We aren’t asking you to become cheer obsessed or treat us like we are superior to the world. We are just asking for you to respect what we do and not shoot us down every opportunity you get.
I guess you could group me with the people who don't really think that cheerleading is a sport, but I think that I understand that cheerleaders work just as hard, maybe even more than others who have different sports. You did a good job with showing why cheerleading is a sport. I think that if a little more voice was shown in this blog that more people would be convinced. Overall though, I though it was very well written, and you can tell that you spent time thinking this over.
ReplyDeleteThe education filter doesn't like cheerleading videos, so I didn't see your example. Besides that, I agree with your point, and I like how you're trying to fight the stereotype.
ReplyDelete