Yes, it just doesn't seem like it to most people. It takes pretty much everything any other sport takes to be a professional at.
Poll: do you concider cheerleading a sport
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Yes it's a sport, it's a professional sport no less.
I'm not sure where the logic of declaring it 'not a sport' stems from, in fact I'm not sure where the logic is applied at all to that argument. I guess it's just another case of 'it's not what I like to watch therefor it is not a sport because I say so' kind of decisions. Like the definition of what a 'proper' or 'hardcore' videogame.
I'm not sure where the logic of declaring it 'not a sport' stems from, in fact I'm not sure where the logic is applied at all to that argument. I guess it's just another case of 'it's not what I like to watch therefor it is not a sport because I say so' kind of decisions. Like the definition of what a 'proper' or 'hardcore' videogame.
So err, dancing and gymnastics aren't sports?Demented Teddy said:
Well the poll is biased. I don't think it's a sport. But it is very impressive and skilful so I wouldn't knock it.
I dislike the culture surrounding it. My old girlfriend was a cheerleader in England, each cheerleader was assigned a member of the team they cheered for and told it was their responsibility to keep that player happy. This was interpreted as sexual favours. She had to quit not long after because when she didn't perform her responsibilities the team turned on her. This was a shame as she loved the actual cheerleading.
I dislike the culture surrounding it. My old girlfriend was a cheerleader in England, each cheerleader was assigned a member of the team they cheered for and told it was their responsibility to keep that player happy. This was interpreted as sexual favours. She had to quit not long after because when she didn't perform her responsibilities the team turned on her. This was a shame as she loved the actual cheerleading.
It is a sport, however they are no more important then another sport. Replacing it with another makes no sense to me. Cheerleading is also insanely difficult. I have the utmost respect to those that compete. They have more injuries then football as well.
For those interested soccer has more then football and cheerleading has more then soccer.
For those interested soccer has more then football and cheerleading has more then soccer.
When they're competing in a cheerleading competition against others, i consider it a sport. When they're dancing to get people excited for a football game, not so much.
Basically, i consider anything physically enduring and competitive a sport.
Basically, i consider anything physically enduring and competitive a sport.
I vote for... more thoughtful options. Seriously.
You know, I think ignorance is the only thing that keeps these sorts of discussions alive.
Art or Sport, right? I mean, we make competitions of many arts and then they become a "sport" for some people.
Does something have to be a sport to be worthwhile? Music, Painting, Sculptures, Theater, Dance; are all Arts. There's a weird notion that not calling something a sport makes it less worthwhile. Singing or playing a musical instrument takes a great deal of skill and natural talent, as does any other art. Just because we have "art competitions" does not make them sports. Battle of the Bands does not make playing guitar a sport. It doesn't make playing in a band any less of an accomplishment, either.
There's another assumption that Cheer-leading is "easy". Well, yes, just standing around clapping and chanting "lets go!" is pretty easy. Some cheer-leading squads, that is all they do. When you're talking about the competitions, it isn't about who can chant the loudest or get the crowd the most excited, but actual choreographed routines, not dissimilar from a dance or gymnastics routine. As a matter-of-fact, it might be [a href='http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2008/09/19/sports-injury-research-cheerleading-riskier-football/']the most dangerous extra-curricular activity in high school[/a]. I mean, it's gymnastics without equipment assistance, and without pads.
It does take training, it does take skill, it does involve a great amount of risk. Does that make it a sport? Well, for those of you in the United States:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/netdict/sport
Yeah, I guess it is a sport.
A better question would be "is it a game?"
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/game
Except definition 3, often held as the only definition by the ignorant:
Is it a sport? Yes. Is it a game, or contest? Not naturally, but people make one out of it, as they do many things. Does that make it "better" or "worse" than any other activity? No, but that won't stop people from thinking so to feel somehow superior anyway.
God bless humanity.
You know, I think ignorance is the only thing that keeps these sorts of discussions alive.
Art or Sport, right? I mean, we make competitions of many arts and then they become a "sport" for some people.
Does something have to be a sport to be worthwhile? Music, Painting, Sculptures, Theater, Dance; are all Arts. There's a weird notion that not calling something a sport makes it less worthwhile. Singing or playing a musical instrument takes a great deal of skill and natural talent, as does any other art. Just because we have "art competitions" does not make them sports. Battle of the Bands does not make playing guitar a sport. It doesn't make playing in a band any less of an accomplishment, either.
There's another assumption that Cheer-leading is "easy". Well, yes, just standing around clapping and chanting "lets go!" is pretty easy. Some cheer-leading squads, that is all they do. When you're talking about the competitions, it isn't about who can chant the loudest or get the crowd the most excited, but actual choreographed routines, not dissimilar from a dance or gymnastics routine. As a matter-of-fact, it might be [a href='http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2008/09/19/sports-injury-research-cheerleading-riskier-football/']the most dangerous extra-curricular activity in high school[/a]. I mean, it's gymnastics without equipment assistance, and without pads.
It does take training, it does take skill, it does involve a great amount of risk. Does that make it a sport? Well, for those of you in the United States:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/netdict/sport
So, a physical activity for fun. That "sexual play" bit seems to apply from the more narrow-minded folk's perspective.
Yeah, I guess it is a sport.
A better question would be "is it a game?"
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/game
Well, huh.
Except definition 3, often held as the only definition by the ignorant:
Essentially a contest. Now then, cheer-leading itself does not exist for contest primarily. We make contests out of things that aren't many times. Like a music contest. Or cheer-leading competition.
Is it a sport? Yes. Is it a game, or contest? Not naturally, but people make one out of it, as they do many things. Does that make it "better" or "worse" than any other activity? No, but that won't stop people from thinking so to feel somehow superior anyway.
God bless humanity.
Yeah, pretty much. Aside from the fact that professional boxing is arguably as rigged as professional wrestling (I dont know, ive heard arguments from both camps). Barring the only thing that makes it a sport (again this is just my personal estimation) doesnt really set anything straight. It is a part of it.
Also another caveat, Boxers typically do not go into a fight striving to earn a win by decision, They go in to win via KO, or at least TKO. I know there are sometimes when they will as a strategic tactic, knowing that trying to go for a KO would not be in their best interest, but again its not really the objective of boxing.
I stand by my statement, its what I feel defines what is a sport, and what isnt. Same would be true of other similar sports, with similar structures, such as College/olympic wrestling, or MMA. The goal isnt to win by decision, the goal is to win decisively. While as was stated judgements on matches have boiled down to opinions and people have gotten robbed, the nature is still the same. I would at least argue that you do bring up debatable points, and I would yeild enough to consider it a fringe sport based on that it has sport as well as competition elements.
At the same time, would you consider debate a sport? how about county fairs and cooking competitions, are they sports? Tuning show cars, is that a sport? Is calisthenics or aerobics a sport?
I think the real reason this question comes up is the gender related issues that surround it. People want to think that because its an activity that typically doesnt revolve around men, that men dont consider it a sport. Cheerleaders are indeed phenominal athletes (went to school at a school whos only renown at the time came from cheerleading, as well as being involved with my kids school which is a consistent national cheerleading champion school. But not all people who play sports are athletes, and not all athletes play sports. Cheerleaders are indeed awesome athletes, who participate in exhibitions and competitions. They definitely deserve respect for what they do, but calling cheerleading a sport isnt a show of respect or disrespect.
But I think the question itself is silly in that the question from the OP is asking for opinions based on the subjective interpretation of a word. The thread has generated an abundance of responses to which my interpretation of the word is not the popular one. So the OP should be satiated with the answer that cheerleading is commonly viewed as a sport.
Sorry, Im getting tired, and when I get tired, I get long winded as hell, and even ramble some.
You know you could apply those same thing to video game competitions... train, compete, win shit...Broady Brio said:
I have far more respect for cheerleaders than I do for Foot(egg)ball players, basketball players, baseball players, and soccer players.
Hockey, Rugby, and lacrosse get respect 'cause even if they're bleeding all over the ice, they're gonna finish their game.
Cheerleaders are tough as hell, WAY the hell tougher than the quarterbacks they tend to date, engaging in an athletic showing far more dangerous than the quarterbacks they tend to date, for far less recognition than the quarter backs they tend to date.
Go cheerleaders.
Hockey, Rugby, and lacrosse get respect 'cause even if they're bleeding all over the ice, they're gonna finish their game.
Cheerleaders are tough as hell, WAY the hell tougher than the quarterbacks they tend to date, engaging in an athletic showing far more dangerous than the quarterbacks they tend to date, for far less recognition than the quarter backs they tend to date.
Go cheerleaders.
No offense, but from what I see of it, it's basically just girls dressed to look sexy so that men can enjoy staring at them. They seem more like a show than anything else. I mean, sure, they have to train to pull off all those moves, but since they could just stand there doing nothing and complete their objective, it doesn't really matter.
Teamwork? Check. Training? Check. Competition? Check.
Relying on teammates as you fly through the air, after being chucked by a different freakishly strong teammate? Double check.
Sounds like a good enough sport to me.
Relying on teammates as you fly through the air, after being chucked by a different freakishly strong teammate? Double check.
Sounds like a good enough sport to me.
If you're willing to let me file Guitar Hero as a sport, then yes. If not, then no.
Seriously, think about it, if Cheerleading is a Sport, so is Guitar Hero. Heck, Guitar Hero may be more qualified considering you're working to a set goal rather than to please a subjective board of judges.
Seriously, think about it, if Cheerleading is a Sport, so is Guitar Hero. Heck, Guitar Hero may be more qualified considering you're working to a set goal rather than to please a subjective board of judges.