Cheerleading vs. Dance

Cheerleading and dance are both compelling activities that are highly popular in sports, entertainment, and pop culture. Despite sharing similarities such as rhythm, coordination, and physical strength, they differ significantly in their objectives and execution. Whether you are a parent helping your child choose an extracurricular activity or curious about their differences, this comparison will clarify what sets them apart.

Objectives

Cheerleading

Cheerleading is supporting sports teams by leading the crowd in cheers, chants, and applause. Cheerleaders can often be seen on the sidelines of football or basketball games, energizing the audience with synchronized movements and enthusiastic chants. The routines are designed to showcase athletic stunts that captivate the audience.

Dance

Dance is an art form that expresses emotion and entertains through movement. Unlike cheerleading, which has a solid team-oriented goal, dance can be deeply personal, allowing dancers to convey a wide range of feelings and narratives through their performances. Whether it is the elegance of ballet, the rhythm of hip-hop, or the interpretive nature of lyrical dance, each style has a unique way to connect with an audience.

Choreography

Cheerleading

Cheerleading routines are known for their sharp, precise movements, often synchronized with a team. The choreography typically includes a mix of arm motions, high jumps, kicks, and acrobatic stunts. Stunting is a significant part of cheerleading, where athletes work together to lift, throw, and catch teammates in the air, creating pyramids and other formations. The energy is high, the pace is fast, and the goal is to engage and excite the crowd.

Dance

Dance has various styles, each with distinct movements and techniques. Ballet is known for its grace and technical precision, hip-hop for its rhythm and flow, and jazz dance for its expressive and dynamic movements. Depending on the dance style, dance choreography can range from structured to fluid to improvisational.

Physical and Mental Demands/Benefits

Cheerleading

Both cheerleading and dance are physically demanding. They require strength, flexibility, and endurance. Cheerleaders must be strong and coordinated, especially when performing stunts and tumbling passes. The safety of each athlete often depends on the precise execution of stunts and formations by the entire team. Studies have found that cheerleading improves self-esteem and reduces anxiety and depression due to the physical demands of the sport. It also improves communication skills due to its reliance on other team members.

Dance

Dancers must be physically fit, focusing on flexibility, balance, and technical precision. Additionally, dancers must have strong mental discipline to memorize choreography, interpret music, and convey emotion through their movements. Dance has a lot of benefits for children, such as improved cardiovascular health, cognitive growth, and the ease of anxiety and depression. Like cheerleading, dance improves communication and allows children to make new friends due to the group class environment.

Is One Better for Kids than the Other?

Cheerleading generally starts at an older age than dance. It is best to pursue cheerleading after establishing a strong dance foundation, as dance helps to develop coordination and flexibility, making it easier for children to make the cheer squad when the time comes. Starting your child in dance at a young age will benefit them in many ways, and the group settings of lessons will prepare them for the teamwork of cheerleading. Both of these activities complement each other well when done together. Learn more about dance lessons here.

Competitions and Performance

Cheerleading

Cheerleading competitions are high-energy events where teams perform routines that combine cheer, dance, stunts, and tumbling. Teams compete against each other by doing a routine of 2 minutes and 30 seconds and are judged on their synchronization, difficulty of stunts, and overall performance. The environment is loud, vibrant, and full of team spirit.

Dance

Dance competitions can feature a variety of performances. Dancers may perform solos, duets, or group routines, and each style is judged based on technique, creativity, and emotional impact. Dancers have the chance to display their individual artistry, even within a group performance, and are often evaluated on their ability to interpret and execute the choreography effectively.

Notable Competitions, Movies, and Shows

There have been numerous cheerleading and dance competitions, movies, and shows that have had a lasting impact on pop culture. Here are some of them.

Cheerleading

• UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship – The biggest high school competition in the United States that takes place in Orlando, Florida.
• NCA All-Star National Championship – The most attended cheer competition in the world with 80,000 people in attendance and 25,000 athletes in Dallas, Texas.
• “Bring it On”– A movie about a high school cheerleading team and their pursuit of the National Championship trophy.
• “Cheer” – Netflix docuseries that follows the Navarro College Bulldogs from Corsicana, Texas as they prepare for the National Cheerleading Championships. 
• “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” – Netflix docuseries that follows the 2023-2024 cheer squad through tryouts and training camp.

Dance

• Olympic Games: Breakdancing was featured in the 2024 Paris Olympics. 
• USA International Ballet Competition: Held every four years in Mississippi, dancers from around the world compete for bronze, silver, or gold medals in various ballet categories at this Olympic-style event. 
• National Dance Competitions: There are many national competitions that bring dancers from all around the country to compete against each other. This level of competition is harder than regional and local competitions.
• “So You Think You Can Dance” – A competition featuring a variety of dance styles and genres, with contestants being eliminated weekly based on audience and judge votes.
• “Dancing with the Stars”: A show where celebrities and professional dancers are paired together and compete for audience votes.
• “World of Dance”: A competition show featuring solo dancers, duos, and dance crews of all ages and styles competing for a grand prize.

Cheerleading and dance offer an outlet for creativity, athleticism, and expression. Whether you are drawn to the teamwork and excitement of cheerleading or the individual expression and artistry of dance, both activities offer rewarding experiences that can enrich your child’s life in unique ways.