6 Reasons Why Cheerleading Isn’t Only for Women
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Not many people know that cheerleading was founded by males, as opposed to the common belief that it was females who started it. The foundation of cheerleading was laid by a group of men, who wanted to cheer their favorite sporting team. The first ever group of cheerleaders was formed way back in the 1890s at Princeton University. It was only in the 1920s that females got associated with this sport, and by the 1950s the maximum numbers of cheerleaders were women.
Fortunately again, the time is changing, and for good. Men are again coming back to cheerleading in a big way. Now that cheerleading includes tumbling, stunting and acrobatics, it is finally being recognized as a rightful sport. Here are few valid reasons why cheerleading is equally meant for men.
1. Promotes great partnership
When men are also involved in the cheerleading team, it becomes a completely well balanced team with amazing partnership. Cheerleading is not only about dancing and moving your body, but involves a lot of acrobats and stunts. Men are physically stronger than women, and hence, it becomes extremely helpful if there is a man to perform all the stunts. Usually, a woman and a man are paired to perform most of the amazing stunts. This improves the performance and the overall scope of the choreography, and also forms a great partnership to win championships together.
2. Requires a stuntman
As mentioned above, cheerleading is also about amazing and daring stunts that complete the whole act. When you have a co-ed cheerleading team, the level of stunts and acrobats reach a different high altogether. The strength of the men comes handy during such performances. Moreover, the females are also secure at the hands of men, as they know they will not fall down. It is not always possible for a full women batch of cheerleaders to perform a good variety of stunts.
3. Comprises masculine flips and tumbles
Flipping and tumbling are the core elements of cheerleading that one has to perform neatly. Though there are great female tumblers, often, a complete performance needs men to tumble and flip for a greater impact. You do not necessarily have to be a gymnast to perform tumbles and flips. When you have a co-ed cheerleading squad consisting of equal number of men and women, the performance outshines and gets a major edge over the other teams.
