Description Of A Cheerleader

While you may associate the label of cheerleader with women, the first cheerleaders were actually men. With the evolution of the sport came changing norms and rules that have shaped what cheerleading is today. More than just pretty faces at football games, cheerleaders are hardcore athletes who must incorporate gymnastics and dance along with a nonstop peppy attitude. Whether you've thought about joining cheer or have a child who'd like to join cheer, learning more about the sport can give you a better understanding as to what being a cheerleader is all about.

History

Cheerleaders were actually known as pep squads in the 1880s. Early cheerleaders were male, and they would lead crowds attending sporting matches in simple cheers, mainly at Princeton and the University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota allowed the first team of female cheerleaders in the early 1920s. The girls used tumbling, large signs and arm movements to add interest to their cheers. As time progressed, cheerleading became a predominantly female sport, developing into the organized sport that it is today.

Organization

Cheerleading organization occurs on a variety of levels. While some elementary and middle schools offer a cheer program, the program doesn't become as competitive and exclusive until high school. There, the world of cheerleading is highly competitive, necessitating the use of tryouts to add new male and female cheerleaders to the team. Cheering can also be done on a post-secondary level. Some communities also offer cheer programs for cheerleaders to learn new skills and cheers in preparation of a new season. Finally, cheerleading becomes a career when done on a professional level for a professional sports team.

Sporting Events

Certain team sports, like football and basketball, employ cheerleaders as a way to keep fans' interest during timeouts and halftime. The cheerleaders serve to keep the crowd engaged and excited, encouraging them to get involved in the cheering. Some professional teams may give their cheerleaders names based upon the team name, or the cheerleaders may focus more on dance and formations than actual yelling, depending on the type of sport and venue.

Competition

While typically thought of as an accessory to other sports, cheerleaders are able to compete in their own rite through cheer competitions. Various cheer organizations, such as the World Cheer Organization and the International Cheer Union, sponsor competitions in each state for cheerleading squads. The squads each get a turn to demonstrate cheers and are judged based on difficulty, style and unity in the group. While as of time of publication, the NCAA does not consider cheer a sport, competition through other organizations allows cheerleaders the proving grounds that other athletes enjoy.