What do you think of cheerleaders?

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Should cheerleading be considered a sport? Do you think they are mean and snobby? Are they spoiled? Have you ever visited Disney World during a cheerleading competition?

I take it you're talking about competitive cheerleading?
I've come to see things like Competitive Cheer, competitive dance, competitive band routines, Diving, Gymnastics, and figure skating and the like much more as performance arts rather than sports. Sure they all take skill to do but the competition is really about artistry. That said it doesn't mean these don't take a lot of work, a lot of skill, and a lot of athleticism (more than in sports in some cases) to pull off. They do. But I don't see them as sports. And indeed, the reason I like them in addition to or in some cases better than sports is precisely because they aren't.

 

[PlainJane]

Should cheerleading be considered a sport? Do you think they are mean and snobby? Are they spoiled? Have you ever visited Disney World during a cheerleading competition?

1. Considering gymnastics is, yes.
2. I’ve known both.
3. I can’t remember a spoiled one. I’m sure spoiled ones exist.
4. Yes, even watched one at Disney.

Now that I’m older, it shocks me how dangerous it is. While I was a cheerleader, I hope my children don’t take it up for that reason.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'm a single adult so why in the world would cheerleading ever cross my mind? I literally never think about it.

But, I DO certainly think it takes an amazing about of athleticism. The stunts they do are amazing! I did it in middle school, mostly because I was younger and smaller and my folks had me in gymnastics. The kids who loved gymnastics could be so incredible! I had no interest in football and no interest in cheering, but my parents wanted me to be well rounded (they eventually realized I just really hated all that noise). When I went to highschool, I had too much to do and had to really focus on what I loved - debate, mock trial, quiz bowl, music, swimming, art/writing lessons at the local university, being in a band (and the band for a bit). It was still far too much.

I have seen large groups at wdw, that I could posit are cheerleaders, but I've never stayed in a hotel which hosted them or other large groups.

You can't really escape cheerleading here in the suburbs. You see them all the time doing fundraising car washes, you see them in uniform out and about, every school basically has them and being that I'm in the suburbs I'm always near a school (at least in my area) be it a middle or high school. It's not that I'm actively thinking about it but it's hard to miss seeing them during the school year.

The only exception I can think about is the brand new high school that opened up right by my house. But by next year they should likely have one if they don't have one this year (this year the school doesn't even have a senior class because they didn't want to pull people out for their last year from the schools they had been attending).

 

[amberpi]

You can't really escape cheerleading here in the suburbs. You see them all the time doing fundraising car washes, you see them in uniform out and about, every school basically has them and being that I'm in the suburbs I'm always near a school (at least in my area) be it a middle or high school. It's not that I'm actively thinking about it but it's hard to miss seeing them during the school year.

The only exception I can think about is the brand new high school that opened up right by my house. But by next year they should likely have one if they don't have one this year (this year the school doesn't even have a senior class because they didn't want to pull people out for their last year from the schools they had been attending).

I live in the city. There's a magnet literature school I can see from my favorite bar, and that a good friend teaches at, but they don't have sports, so it's just not something I encounter. Of course they exist, but not so much in my world. I'm positive if I lived in the burbs again, I'd see them! As it is, I just don't. I'm more likely to see a hipster carrying a copy of "The Idiot" than I am of seeing a cheerleader! (Not that they'd have read it, but you know, carrying it as an accessory!)

 

[Park Pirate]

Should cheerleading be considered a sport? Do you think they are mean and snobby? Are they spoiled? Have you ever visited Disney World during a cheerleading competition?

I agree with others that have responded. If they are competing against other teams in a competition then I consider it a sport. If they are just leading cheers with no competition, then I think of it more as an athletic activity. I feel the same way about my daughter's dance. For me, a sport requires athletic activity and competition of some sort. I do think there is a distinction between different kinds of sports. For some, winning is based more upon interpretation (more subjective) and how you perform (artistry and style) verse those that are purely based upon objective results (goals, for example), regardless of style. While the sports based purely upon results can have an element of interpretation (for example, how a game is officiated), I personally find it harder to understand what makes one dance/cheer routine, dive, figure skating performance, etc... better than others (other than degree of difficulty).

And, like others, I do not think you can say one group is all snobs or spoiled. I think some of the cheerleaders/dancers may come across that way because the sport requires a high degree of self-confidence. I believe self-confidence sometimes comes across as being snobby. I know several of my daughter's friends that probably come across that way, but are great and kind kids if you get to know them. Also, in terms of my daughters dance team, they are practicing several hours a day together and travel together so they tend to become really close to one another - which can also be mistook as being snobby and exclusive.

I have seen some smaller groups of cheerleaders together at Disney, but have not heard the obnoxious chanting and behavior others have described - not that I doubt it happens with any large group of teenagers.

 

[amberpi]

Oh - I don't know that cheerleaders are any snobbier than any other group. I definitely know far worse

 

[Magpie]

If you don't consider cheerleading a sport but rather "performance art" or something like that...

Then do you consider diving a sport?

How about ski jumping?

Does your definition of sport exclude every competitive athletic endeavor that awards points on the basis of style?

And one more question for everyone: Is show jumping a sport? The only reason I ask is because my husband argues passionately that it isn't because, "The horse is doing all the work!"

For the record, I disagree with him and think that show jumping is a sport. As is cheerleading! And heck, even car racing is a sport, I think, though all they do is sit behind a wheel and drive fast. Which then raises the question... at what point does the activity become more about skill than athleticism? Is competitive darts a sport?

 

[VandVsmama]

Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
No. Cheerleading is basically a dance team with sometimes some gymnastics throw in.

Do you think they are mean and snobby?
It depends. Often yes, but it depends on the situation/context.

Are they spoiled?
Depends on the individual cheerleader.

Have you ever visited Disney World during a cheerleading competition?
No.

 

[PrncessA]

I do consider Cheerleading a sport, one that requires more skill than some others that are more mainstream. It is a huge and lucrative sport in our area. My daughter cheers on a rec team, which is below the "all-star" level. They cheer at home games for the "little league" football teams, but their main focus is the competitions. They do three a year trying to get to state, which they have done every year DD has cheered. We are considering moving her up to a higher level, but it is SOOOO expensive and so much more competitive.

MOST of the girls on my daughter's team are very sweet girls as are the parents. The girls who my DD says are "mean"... let's just say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

I don't think the girls are spoiled, and if they are, it isn't any different than most youth sports. Youth sports is a huge source of revenue here in the suburbs. Parents pay hundreds and thousands of dollars for their kids to play for elite leagues. One of my good friends cheered for a high level all-star team and she is one of the most down-to-earth and sweetest people I know.

We have not visited during a competition, but we did stay at CSR while a large group of cheerleaders were there for the Thanksgiving parade, they weren't any more obtrusive or annoying than normal teenagers.

 

[E&Cmom]

Sport: yes. To do the things they do there is lots of athlesim required.

Mean and snobby- like in everything else some are and some aren't.

Spoiled- see above.

Visiting during competition- we visited Disneyland during a competion and met the nicest group of girls from Oregon who were there for the competion. We were at Fantasia. They asked if my daughters who were 9 and 6 wanted to sit up front with them so they could see better (we were behind them) and spoke to them the whole time we waited for the show to begin.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
No. Cheerleading is basically a dance team with sometimes some gymnastics throw in.

Do you think they are mean and snobby?
It depends. Often yes, but it depends on the situation/context.

Are they spoiled?
Depends on the individual cheerleader.

Have you ever visited Disney World during a cheerleading competition?
No.

"basically", no, that is not all it is

Refer to my post upthread.

 

[Park Pirate]

Does your definition of sport exclude every competitive athletic endeavor that awards points on the basis of style?

And one more question for everyone: Is show jumping a sport? The only reason I ask is because my husband argues passionately that it isn't because, "The horse is doing all the work!"

For the record, I disagree with him and think that show jumping is a sport. As is cheerleading! And heck, even car racing is a sport, I think, though all they do is sit behind a wheel and drive fast. Which then raises the question... at what point does the activity become more about skill than athleticism? Is competitive darts a sport?

So, my daughter also happens to do some Jumping - not much, because dance takes most of her time (and our money), but see takes lessons once a week during the Spring and Fall and maybe goes to 2 low level competitions a year. Regardless, I believe it to be a sport. As mentioned, my personal definition of a sport is something that is a competition that requires a degree of athleticism. It certainly is a competition and although it may not look like it, the ability to stay balanced and control the horse takes a lot more athleticism than it looks. Even though my daughter dances several hours most days and is in great physical shape, she is often tired/sore after a horse lesson.

To me, the darts thing is a blurred line. It certainly is a competition. It certainly requires skill but I don't know where you draw the line between skill/athleticism.

 

[VandVsmama]

"basically", no, that is not all it is

Refer to my post upthread.

I was responding to the OP's questions with my own opinion. We are all open to have our own opinions on the subject.

 

[luvsJack]

Yes, cheer should be considered a sport. Most of the cheerleaders at our schools are high level gymnasts AND skilled dancers. No they are not a dance team and there is no "some gymnastics" thrown in. Its quite a bit. Their sport takes just as much skill and practice and training as football, baseball, basketball and any other sport.

Are they mean and snobby? Well, dd learned something about this in high school. Dd was in cheer when she was young but then quit to go on and do other things. Several of the girls she was close to stayed in cheer. When they got jr high age, they sort of drifted apart since they were busy with cheer and she was busy with show choir. Well, she accused them of being snobby because they only hang out with other cheerleaders. A lot of the kids accused them of being snobby for the same reason. In high school, the kids are required to take a performing art so several of the cheer girls decided to join choir their sophomore year and auditioned. The choir girls rolled their eyes and dreaded having them. Well, come to find out they all became really close. When asked why they only hang out with cheerleaders, the choir girls were told "because no one else will hang out with us, they think we are all snobs".

Are they spoiled? I am sure some are. So are some football players and some choir kids and some band kids and some chess players, etc. etc. etc.

As for Disney no, but I have during a music competition. Mostly younger teens. They were ALL brats, including my own. Its just the nature of the beast (teens) it has nothing to do with what activity the do or sport they play.

 

[Disneylover99]

When I was in Highschool as a cheerleader a few years back I didn't consider it a sport. We did a couple of cheers and maybe a cartwheel or the splits and that was about it.

Now a days, wow, yes, I do consider it a sport! I'd never make the cut if I were trying out as a teen today.

 

[Shanti]

Should cheerleading be considered a sport? Do you think they are mean and snobby? Are they spoiled? Have you ever visited Disney World during a cheerleading competition?

Cheerleaders are normal people. Some are nice, others are not. Visiting Disney during a cheerleading competition will be like visiting Disney at any other time of year. Most visitors you see in the parks will still be families. The value resorts will have cheerleading groups staying there: that's the main place they'll be noticeable.

 

[Sorahana]

It's hit or miss. I was going to FL earlier this year and there was a large group of cheerleaders getting on my plane and my face was like this:
They actually were a great bunch of girls and they all passed out on the plane (early morning flight, lol). When I worked at Disney, I felt like the college age ones were a little tamer/not as loud as the high school ones. I'm not a fan of cheerleading, I'm more a fan of the dance side of things.

 

[Arkansan]

It is DEFINITELY a sport! My DD is an All- Star cheerleader on a very competitive, nationally known (in the cheer world) gym. She just found out that her Sunday practice has been increased from 3 hours to 4 for the foreseeable future. She also has a second three-hour practice each week. In between, the girls on her team are expected to condition daily (they get Friday's off). On alternate days, she needs to run two miles in less than 18 minutes or do a series of exercises given by her coaches. Th girls need to tape themselves doing the exercises in time-lapse and post it to a Facebook group for accountability. They also must post a picture of their fit-bit, Apple Watch, or similar (or the treadmill) of their run length and time. They also go to Open gyms or take special tumbling classes in addition to their practices in order to gain new skills. This is all for a 2 minute, 30 second routine!

She is hoping to get a Summit bid this year and, as she is a Senior, it is her last chance. She is hoping to cheer in college--but only for a school that also competes. She hates sideline cheer. Like a PP mentioned, the weather is usually terrible (too hot, too cold, raining, snowing) and she HATES when people look "through" the cheerleaders in order to see the game better.

Like any group of people everywhere, some are mean and some are spoiled. The vast majority of cheerleaders that I've been in contact with (we have moved many times so she has cheered for at least four different gyms and we've travelled to competitions all over the country) are very nice. Because All-Star takes so much time and is such a commitment personally and financially from the families, I have found the girls (and boys) to be very supportive of each other. We even know of some high-level Worlds teams (in certain gyms) that require their athletes to be homeschooled or take school on-line! That is commitment! As it is, the gym my DD goes to is two hours from our home (one way). Fortunately, there is a carpool, but even that meeting spot is 40 minutes each way. If she were a mean, spoiled child with bad grades I would never make such an effort. On the mat, she is full of energy and LOVES what she does. In real life she often sells herself short. She is actually very quiet and an introvert. She often needs quiet time away from the crowds when we are at very large competitions.

Cheer is not a "status" thing at her HS. She cheered Varsity for two years, but found the HS coach very unsupportive of All-Star. So, after two years, we allowed her to not try-out any more. She has two years of a Varsity sport for her college applications and all of her All-Star experience so that was enough. At a previous school, cheer was reveared. Sadly, she missed out on that experience, as she wasn't in HS yet. That may play a part in how some of the girls act. It is not special in her current HS, so she downplays her participation. If she still attended the earlier school where she would be treated as "special" for being a cheerleader, then maybe the girls start to believe their own hype. Similar to movie stars or professional athletes, you know? Some stay down to earth and some begin saying things like, "Don't you know who I am?" to hotel clerks and waitstaff and begin acting out.

We have not been to Disney during a competition, but hope to be there for Summit this Spring!

 

[VandVsmama]

Clearly, this is a topic full of a lot of passionate points of view.

I was basing my own personal opinion on what *I* have observed in person myself...and what *I* myself have observed have basically been dance groups with a little bit of gymnastics thrown in. I do not consider dancing to be a sport. Extracurricular activity? Yes.

However, if your definition of cheerleading are those ultra competitive teams which spend hours each day at practice and they have enormous human pyramids involving people being tossed up into the air and doing flips on top of 2 tiers of other people, complete with practically everybody in the cheerleading group doing complicated gymnastics routines across the mats and not hitting each other in the process, then yes...that would be a sport.

But your average elementary school through high school cheerleading group which does some hip hop moves and claps their hands in unison on the football sidelines? No, not a sport.

 

[dotfurio]

I think cheerleading qualfies as a sport. They have to work hard! As far as mean, snobby, or spoiled, I think some are and some aren't, just as with any teen regardless of if they are a cheerleader. I've never been to DW, but I've been to DL when there's a competition. Nothing about the experience stands out....