Cheerleading Safety Tips to Help Prevent Injuries

Children who dream of becoming cheerleaders are often excited by the energy, teamwork, and performance involved. Cheerleading today goes far beyond wearing a uniform and cheering on the sidelines. It has become a demanding athletic activity that includes advanced stunts, high jumps, tumbling, and other physically challenging moves. 

The Risks of Cheerleading Injuries 

As cheerleading has evolved into a sport requiring strength, agility, and gymnastic skill, the risk of injury has also increased. Many of these injuries are minor, such as sprains and strains—most commonly in the legs, ankles, and feet. However, some injuries can be more serious and involve the head and neck. The majority of cheerleading injuries occur during stunts like pyramids, tosses, and gymnastic maneuvers. 

The Rise of Concussions and Head Injuries 

Although the overall number of cheerleading-related injuries in the U.S. has declined in recent years, the rate of concussions, closed head injuries, and hospital admissions has risen. Most concussions occur during practice, and nearly half of those happen when no spotter is present. 

Safety Guidelines for Cheerleading 

To help reduce injury risk, USA Cheer, the United States governing body for Sport Cheerleading, has established safety guidelines. A safe cheerleading program includes proper adult supervision, conditioning, skill training, and warm-up routines. Coaches should be trained in risk management, first aid, and CPR/AED. Programs should also have concussion protocols and ensure that athletes, coaches, and parents are trained in athlete protection. This includes understanding how to prevent, recognize, and report issues such as bullying, hazing, physical and emotional misconduct, and sexual abuse. 

Here are general safety guidelines to keep cheerleaders protected and performing at their best: 

• Cheerleaders should have a health exam, including a full medical history, before participating
• A qualified and knowledgeable coach must be present at all times
• Practices should be supervised and held in safe, appropriate spaces
• Individual and team skill levels should be evaluated, and stunts should match those levels
• All participants should be properly trained in tumbling
• Professional training in safe spotting techniques is essential
• Athletes should follow a structured conditioning and strength-building program
• No jewelry should be worn during practice or performance
• Stretching, flexibility exercises, and warm-ups should take place before and after all practices, games, competitions, and pep rallies
• Use only appropriate surfaces for tumbling, stunts, pyramids, and jumps
• Skills should be taught using accepted instructional standards, with spotters used until skills are safely mastered
• Any hard or sharp surfaces must be properly padded or covered