Although most people think of it as a supporting activity, Cheerleading Is a Sport In and Of Itself. Traditionally cheerleaders are thought of as yell leaders getting the crowd pumped up and cheering for their team but cheerleading has evolved into much more than just leading cheers.

Cheerleaders have their own Cheerleading Apparel in the form of Cheerleading Uniforms and other sports gear such as cold weather Cheerleading Shells, hats, gloves, and more. The advent of all the extra gear was necessitated by sports played in the cold weather such as football when many of the games are played in cold and rainy or even snowy conditions.

Besides participating in supporting their teams in athletic games and competitions, cheerleaders have their own competitions. There are many different local, regional, and national cheerleading events where teams are judged as they perform cheerleading routines.

Many of the routines contain complex maneuvers such as tumbling, human pyramid building, and other gymnastic routines and activities. Once thought to be a gentle safe activity, cheerleading in the modern area is somewhat dangerous and there have been member of cheerleading teams seriously injured from accidents that happen during practice or during a competition or sporting event.

Cheerleading Apparel has changed with the times as well. A stereotype of cheerleader uniforms is the skirt but many cheerleading squads no longer wear skirts preferring shorts or short pants. In inclement weather rain gear or Cheerleading Shells are worn to protect the cheerleaders from the weather. Of course, the Cheerleading Shells and other cold weather gear are in team colors and have the appropriate logos.

As long as we have had sports there have been cheerleaders but today’s demands on the cheerleader have turned this once supportive activity into its own sport.