As with any sport, safety should be of the utmost concern for all involved in cheerleading. Whether you’re a cheerleader, coach, or parent, your main objective should be to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Guidelines and Associations
A number of associations have developed guidelines for safe practice and for appropriate progressions in skills to take the guesswork out of how to stay safe while cheering.
School Cheerleading
If you are a school cheerleader or coach, refer to the guidelines set by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA).
All Star Cheerleading
If you cheer or coach all-star, you should follow the guidelines written by the United States All Star Federation (USASF).
The Importance of Safety
There are many references to safety studies that suggest cheerleading is not a safe sport. Regardless of the statistics, one injury is too many. No one wants a broken bone, a day in the hospital, a visit to the ER, or a catastrophic injury. A small amount of common sense can prevent any of these outcomes.
Understanding why the majority of injuries occur will help you better prevent them. Armed with these facts, you can make certain your squad has an injury-free season.
Common Causes of Cheerleading Injuries
- Lack of conditioning and physical preparation
- Untrained coaches, instructors, or advisers
- Poor decision-making by instructors or participants
- Risk-taking attitudes
- Inadequate supervision
- Inadequate equipment (e.g., improper shoes)
- Non-cushioned surfaces
- Poor nutrition
- Attempting difficult stunts before being ready
Preventing Cheerleading Injuries
- Adhere to all rules and regulations
- Practice on mats or pads
- Wear well-fitting shoes with proper cushion and support
- Have an emergency plan in place and practice it
- Require proper spotting
- Gradually progress to difficult stunts and skills
- Become educated and certified in safety, first aid, and CPR
- Use proper techniques
- Learn how to identify eating disorders
- Treat all injuries as soon as they happen
- Increase flexibility and strengthen the lower back, abdomen, and shoulders
- Gradually increase the intensity of practice
Want to Know More?
Are you an all-star cheerleader or do you hope to become one? The USASF defines six levels of all-star cheerleading, each with a set of skills. These levels build on each other, so you need to master the skills at level 1 before progressing to level 2. Get familiar with the USASF Levels and the skills in each level by checking out USASF Levels at a Glance.
Conclusion
Cheerleading carries some unavoidable risks, and no amount of prevention can stop every injury. However, with the proper information and knowledge, the severity and frequency of injuries can be greatly reduced. Be safe, stay safe.
