Safety
As with n any sport, safety should be of the utmost concern for all involved in cheerleading. At Elite Cheer our top priority is safety and to ensure the safety of our coaches and cheerleaders we must prevent injuries from happening. n
Why Cheerleading Injuries Occur
- Lack of conditioning and not being physically prepared
- Poor decision making by participants
- Risk taking attitudes
- Inadequate equipment i.e. shoes
- Non-cushioned surfaces
- Poor nutrition
- Attempting difficult stunts before being ready
What You Can do to Prevent Injuries
- Adhere to all rules and regulations
- Practice on mats and pads
- Wear well fitting shoes with proper cushion and support
- Have an emergency plan in place and practice it
- Require proper spotting
- Gradually progress to difficult stunts and skills
- Require and use the proper techniques
- Treat all injuries as soon as they happen
- Increase flexibility
- Strengthen lower back, abdoman and shoulders
- Gradually Increase intensity of practice
Cheerleading is a high intensity sport which carries some unavoidable risks and no amount of prevention can stop every injury, but with proper information and knowledge the severity and frequency of injuries can be greatly reduced.
