Competitive Cheerleading is organized competition between multiple cheerleading squads. During a competition routine, a squad performs carefully choreographed stunting, tumbling, jumping and dancing to their own custom music. Competitive Cheerleading occurs independently from any other game or sporting event.

Competitive cheerleading is the sport of performing choreographed routines before a group of judges. Co-ed squads, not affiliated with any school or team, incorporate all aspects of cheerleading into short routines that are judged on difficulty, synchronization and showmanship.

Perform flawless routines, as determined by a group of judges.

Squads consist of 6 to 36 males and females, placed in divisions based on age, size, gender and ability. Routines are performed to an eight-count system, and are set to custom music. They can last no longer than 2.5 minutes, and can include stunting, tumbling, jumping and dancing. Routines are judged based on difficulty and execution. Synchronization and showmanship also play a big part in determining a squad's overall score.

Cheerleading began in 1884, when a male student directed the crowd to cheer during a University of Minnesota football game. Soon after, the school formed a "yell leader" squad comprised of six male students. In 1923, due to a lack of other athletic options, females began cheering. The National Cheerleading Association (NCA) was formed in 1948 to teach cheerleading and to be a much-needed source for uniforms and equipment. The 1960's saw cheerleading move into the mainstream, when NFL teams began organizing professional squads. The revealing outfits and sophisticated moves of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders became a template of where professional cheerleading would go in the future. The competitive element was introduced to cheerleading in the early 1980's, when squads not associated with schools or teams began competing against one another. The NCA soon recognized these groups, and starting with 1987, included them in competitions. The popularity of these "all-star" squads led to the formation of the United States All Star Federation for Cheer and Dance Teams (USASF) in 2003. This body is charged with the task of standardizing all rules and judging standards for worldwide competitions.

Megaphone(s)
Pom-Poms

Cheerleading can be dangerous due to the amount of formations and acrobatics performed in a typical routine. Broken bones and torn ligaments are becoming more common, as are serious head and spinal injuries. This being the case, cheerleaders should practice for many hours and approach every stunt and trick with extreme caution.

Experience in dance and gymnastics is extremely beneficial to modern cheerleaders. Weight training that focuses on the upper body is also helpful.

Pom-Poms - clusters of brightly colored strands of plastic, waved in pairs by cheerleaders

http://www.usasf.net
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheerleading