Cheerleaders spend a lot more time airborne than gymnasts. And where gymnasts are landing on their feet and on padding that helps when things go wrong cheerleaders are usually being caught, and they’re on their back, and when things go wrong they hit the ground or floor.
My ten year old daughter just started cheer this summer. It’s nice to have both kids at the same location, one doing cheer and my son doing football. Before this summer, my daughter did junior rodeo and gymkhana for four years. I reckon danger comes in any sport and if you’re committed to it and pushing yourself, injuries will come.
My friend’s daughter started high school and began cheerleading this month. During the first practice, they did that pyramid maneuver, and my friend’s girl was the one on top. The pyramid collapsed, and she injured her leg when she fell to the ground. On the way down, her knee hit another girl in the head and knocked her senseless.
The whole family tried to talk my almost 13 year old niece out of cheerleading for those very reasons. As the smallest she would have been the one tossed in the air. Turned out her lack of boobs ruined her chances-and we were relieved!