Since I started cheerleading in 3rd grade, this question has followed me around. Rather than try to argue one way or another, I thought that I would present some facts/ideas that I've stumbled upon over the years.

Some definitions first

Flyer: person on the top of the stunts, also known as fly girl (guy), top girl (guy) and numerous other names.Usually women but can be men as well. The most glamorous position but also very difficult. She does not necessarily have to be the smallest but should be strong. Flyer should be able to hold her own weight to ease the difficulty on the bases. Also, cannot be afraid of heights because most time will be spent in the air. She must trust her bases and spotter so that she seems carefree and confident in the air. As the highest point of the stunts, the flyer should make great eye contact with the audience and be able to convey her spirit and enthusiasm to the max.

 

 

Base: person lifting and throwing the flyer. No stunt can exist without the bases who act as the foundation. Most stunts have two main bases holding each of the flyer's feet. Bases must work together, keeping eye contact to act simultaneously. Any timing issues will cause the flyer to become unstable and maybe even fall. Bases should lift with their legs since they are the strongest muscles and keep their backs straight as to not strain them. Bases tend to be taller and stronger than their flyers.

 

 

Spotter: person at the back of the stunt, stabilizing the flyer and helping lift with the bases. also known as the back, back spotter, and third base. Spotters must always have their eyes on the flyer and try to keep contact with the flyer at all times. When the stunt is dismounting, spotters should catch as high as possible, starting the contact with the flyer in order to slow her down.They give calls of what to do next in a stunt. Spotters must be fast thinkers to catch or stabilize the flyer as she falls. Usually taller to help reach for the highest point of contact.

 

Chant vs. Cheer: A chant is usually shorter, with simple arm movements and is almost always done one the sidelines. A cheer, on the other hand, is longer and involves a variety of aspects which may include pom poms, stunts, jumps, motions and/or tumbling. Cheers are usually done during breaks between time periods and at halftime.

 

Arm Motions

• High V-motion: arms are extended upwards in the shape of a V with thumb-side of fists facing outwards.
• Low V-motion: arms are extended downwards in the shape of an upside down V with thumb-side of fists facing inwards towards the body.
• T: arms are extended to be parallel to the ground with the thumb-side of fists facing down
• Diagonal: right arm is in upwards V motion while left arm is in an upside down V motion. A left diagonal is done similarly with arms in switched position.
• Candlesticks: arms are extended fowards with thumb-side of fists facing inwards towards each other.
• Buckets: arms are extended forwards with thumb-side of fists facing the ground.
• Broken-T: arms are bent at the elbows so front of fists face each other with thumb-side of fists facing the ground.
• Touchdown: arms are extended up from the shoulders with thumb-side of fists facing each other.
• L: right arm is in touchdown motion while left arm is in a T. Can also be done in the opposite way.

  

(from the left: high V, T, touchdown)

Jumps

• Toe-touch: a jump where your arms are in a T motion and your legs split to the sides, toes pointed with your knees up or pointed back. Most widely recognized jump to the public.
• Side hurdler: a jump in which your right leg is straight and in the toe-touch/straddle position and your left leg is bent, level with your hip and pointing forward. This is a right side hurdler. In a left side-hurdler, legs have opposite positions.
• Herkie: a jump in which one leg is bent and other is kicking as high as possible in toe-touch position. Very similar to a right/left side hurdler.
• Double hook: a jump in which one leg is bent in front of you and the other is bent behind you. Often used by younger cheerleaders.

(from the left: toe touch, side hurdler, right herkie)

Basics

• The first cheerleading was the chanting at a Princeton football game in the 1880s
• However, the first real cheerleader was Johnny Campbell who stood in front of a crowd and led a cheer at a Universtiy of Minnesota football game in 1884.
• Cheerleading was done mostly by males until the 1920s when females began cheering due to a lack of female collegiate sports. During the 1940s, it began to be dominated by females and has continued since.
• Cheerleading is a combination of dance, gymnastics, aerial stunts, strength training, flexibility, showmanship, and performance.
• Cheerleaders support a variety of sports including football, basketball, and soccer.

Points for/against/relating to the issue

• Many cheerleaders play other sports such as softball, tennis, and track.
• An average college male cheerleader has to be able to balance an 100 pound girl in the palm of his hand.
• In a study over 13 years, there were over 200,000 cheerleading related injuries mostly to legs, ankles, or feet.
• In the 1990s, all-star cheerleading was invented. These squads solely compete and do not cheer for other sports. They often practice in cheer gyms or gymnastics facilities. They are split up by 5 levels of difficulty with 5 being the most advanced. Unlike high school and middle school teams, all-star cheerleading squads at the higher levels can build 3-high stunts like college squads.
• Definition of a sport according to dictionary.com
  • an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature
• There are about 3 million cheerleaders in the USA.
• NCAA limits sports to 20 hours/week for practice. Since cheerleading is not NCAA-sponsored, squads often practice more.
• Cheerleading is a varsity sport at University of Maryland.
• (personal) Since we cheered for basketball and football as well as competed, our season started with tryouts in May, practices in the summer including UCA cheer camp, September-March for football and basketball, and competitions in March. Then we basically had April and half of May to recover before starting all over again.

Though I tried not to be, I'm sure I was quite biased. This argument is one that does not seem to have an end. Interestingly enough, there are cheerleaders on both sides of it. Take this information and have your own debates!!

In case you didn't get enough of my first page, here it is.