Imagine an arena with bright lights, ESPN camera crews, screaming fans and a huge trophy on the line. No, it's not the Superbowl or the World Cup. This is the NCA National All-Star Championship. This is where competitive cheerleaders get on mats and perform a one to three minute routine. These routines include stunting, cheering, tumbling, dancing and performances that accumulate to receive the highest score from the judges. Competitive cheerleaders perform in front of the audience and judges in hopes of winning first place. In contrast, traditional cheerleaders do not compete, but rather support sports teams. Many people do not consider cheerleading a sport because they view all cheerleaders as traditional cheerleaders. There are several criteria that govern a sport. Criteria include: the activity must involve physical effort, involve competition, and contain rules that govern the activity. Additionally, a winner must be declared. Competitive cheerleading should be considered a sport because of its high level of physical activity, competition, and rules. First, competitive cheerleading requires a particularly high level of physical exertion with an equally high risk of injury. According to “The American Journal of Sports Medicine,” accidents among middle and high school cheerleaders account for more than half of the catastrophic injuries that occur among female athletes (881). In order to make the national teams, cheerleaders must participate in an extensive selection process, which can take up to more than a week. Additionally, athletes must meet a series of physical requirements regarding skill and fitness that involve lengthy training programs. They must be able to play a variety of... middle of paper ......e just as athletic and physically fit as any other accepted sport. If one does not consider competitive cheerleading a sport because of its scoring system or set strategy, then one should not consider gymnastics a sport either. Works Cited Boden, Barry P., Robin Tacchetti, and Frederick O. Mueller. “Catastrophic Cheerleader Injuries.” The American Journal of Sports Medicine 31.6 (2003): 881-88. Internet. March 25, 2014. “Competition Strategy, What Judges Look for in a Routine.” » Cheer Coach Magazine & Advisor June 26, 2013: n. page. Internet. March 30, 2014. "National Association of Cheerleaders :: Cheerleading." National Cheerleading Association: Cheerleading. NCA, and Web. March 31, 2014. “WatchESPN.” ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures, and Web. March 31. 2014. .