Definition and Comparison Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (2001) defines sport as “physical activity engaged in for pleasure” or “a particular activity (as an athletic game) so engaged in.” I think cheerleading fits this description, and the athletic department at my school agrees. So why don’t the students? Even cheerleaders themselves seem to have trouble defending their sport to other student athletes. When I asked my classes why they believe cheerleading isn’t a sport, they replied that it’s not competitive. However, the cheerleading squads at our school compete in one competition a year (even if we do always come in last).
If we continually competed with other schools, as our school does in basketball or football, would students see cheerleading as a sport? In terms of its physical activity and requirements, cheerleading easily fulfills the dictionary definition of sport. Cheerleaders must be physically fit. They are required to perform jumps, kicks, and minor gymnastics. They also must execute precise dance steps and movements to accompany the more than 40 chants and cheers they memorize. To stay limber, they must stretch out carefully prior to all practices and games. Their physical conditioning program and cheerleading practices start well before the sports season starts.
The Essay on High School Students Physical Activity
It is important for students top know and be able to do a number of things. The course content or the state guidelines is a major area of content that is expected to be taught and learned by the students. But when dealing with Elementary students and physical education I think my number one goal will be turning these young students on to physical activity for life. One of the most important things ...
How does all this stack up next to the football team? Football players must attend camps and practices during the summer. Cheerleaders do this as well. They go to a week-long camp to learn new cheers and movements. They then practice those cheers and dozens of others for five weeks prior to the start of the school year.
Their summer practices are two hours long so that both junior varsity and varsity cheerleaders will be prepared to teach the freshmen. Once the school year begins, squads practice after school for an hour each day for the entire 10-week football season. They cheer at the games on Saturday mornings. They ride the team bus to away games with the football players, and they warm up while the players are warming up.
