Should High School Sideline Cheer be Recognized as a Sport?

By Zoie Osborne

     High school sideline cheer should be considered a sport. It is a common misconception that sideline cheer doesn’t take any type of sports like commitment to be on a team due to factors such as not competing. The Orbit stated “the only thing that separates it from being considered a “sport” is competing against others.” Which does completely undermine everything else sideline cheer does. On top of that many organizations like the NCAA do not even recognize competitive cheer as a sport making that statement invalid. There are many aspects to cheerleading that push the idea it should be recognized as a sport. 

     First is the level of physicality needed to perform. It does take strength for jumps and stunting, meaning as a team we will do conditioning and strengthening exercises for our legs, core, and arms. Skills such as coordination, control, endurance, and mental focus. Alongside all of the physical aspects there’s the commitment and guidelines. At BHS our cheer team is to abide by all of the same rules and regulations as other sports which sets a great framework for the teams expectations but why are the cheerleaders grouped with the surrounding sports, yet not considered one? The same way all other sports must work as one to have a good outcome, it’s the same for cheer “It’s a whole domino effect. If someone is not putting an effort then we all fall down.” The Burlingame B. 

     Many have or will see cheerleaders on the sideline and see the smiles and cheering on the team playing on the field or court and automatically assume it takes no effort and anybody can do it. If that was the case tryouts would not be necessary to be on the team in the first place. Hours and hours of work and dedication is needed not only at practice but in your own time too. With all of this high school sideline cheer should be recognized as a sport in the near future.