So....cheerleaders aren't athletes you say....

Its a never ending battle in our house at times.  That is what happens when you raise two girls who have very different attitudes, philosophies on life and sports that they are passionate about.  In our house its Soccer vs. Cheer!  Ugh..

This is my soccer players' take on cheer.... its rather funny if you have both a cheerleader and soccer player in the family....





We are know what soccer players do, how they train, how rough games can be - and to be honest - girl soccer players are ten times rougher than any boy soccer players, purposely take out their opponents, and are more likely to come home black & blue or worse.  Most people don't think about cheerleaders in the same level of intensity, athleticism and competition.

Do people really get that today's cheerleaders are more than just the pretty girl on the sidelines? With the popularity of All-Star Cheerleading exploding into towns across america, more and more girls and boys are embracing cheerleading more as a sport than something that is for the popular kids at the local high school, tumbling and stunting has become more advanced and more risky which as put cheerleading in the top most dangerous sports.  It is more than just smiles, glitter and short skirts - its is about skill, training and muscle strength.

A typical cheerleader will practice a minimum of 4 + hours a week on tumbling, dancing, and strength training.   Practices sometimes resemble Army Boot Camp rather than cheer practice with the focus on strength and stamina.  Routines are constantly changing, sometimes weekly to adapt to the strengths and weakness of each team member on the squad and what competition they may be attending.  They are constantly learning, working, striving for the perfect 2 minutes and 30 seconds of their life.  These teams compete against other teams of the same level all for the pride of getting 1st Place and even advancing onto other competitions - all trying to advance to the "superbowl" of cheerleading - Worlds, or The Summit.

Anyone who has a child who is involved with an All-Star Cheer team knows it is all about the 2.30! For those who are only familiar with high school varsity cheerleaders that everyone grew up watching on the sidelines of their favorite high school - this is way much more.  It is 150 seconds of high energy, fast paced, music-pumping, dancing, stunting and gymnastic style tumbling.  There are no pompoms or megaphones.  They perform pyramids where girls and guys are balancing each other and flipping cheerleaders into the air with grace and strength while being able to catch them like they are light as a feather.  There is tumbling that make you think that they are able to defy gravity.  It is breathtaking to watch them fly through the air.



So what do these dedicated girls and guys give up for their love of cheer?  More than most think. Cheerleaders must eat healthy, workout daily, and practice, practice, practice.  Cheerleading is a year-round activity.  Once one season ends the next quickly begins.  These kids give up family vacations during the summer for practice. Most give up a social life - between team practice. extra tumbling classes and homework, there isn't much time for much else.  It also takes commitment with the family as well traveling multiple times per season to different states.  It is not a cheap activity by no means. It is just like an other sport - it take times, dedication, skill, determination and passion,

With all that being said, people still say these girls and guys are not athletes.  According to the dictionary an athlete is someone "who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility or stamina".

It is more then the bows, the glitter, and the music

       and these girls and guys are most definitely "athletes"!