Exploratory Essay: Why Marching Band Should Be Considered A Sport

Cheerleading started as a male endeavor in 1898, when a University of Minnesota football fan led the crowd in verse in support of their team. It was not until World War II, when men shipped out to war, that women took over. Then cheerleaders came to represent the American ideal of femininity: wholesome apple pie with washboard stomachs, perfect teeth, and flawless complexions. Stereotypes cast them as blond, petite, and impossibly perky. “From its humble beginning cheerleading has blossomed into a competitive athletic activity with a serious image problem” (Forman 52). But today’s post-feminist youth have put a new, diverse face on cheerleading. Cheerleading in America is no longer a matter of waving pom-poms, a cute smile and being overly

I have been asked many times by my friends that aren’t in band “why are you in band?” “Get out of band so we can be in the stands together during the game.” “band is lame,” They do not understand what band is really about. Band is not just about playing an instrument and marching.

Sports are played worldwide and are reflective of that particular areas cultural view. This has led to a wide variety of sports that are played. Due to this high level of diversity it has become extremely challenging to define what activities are considered a sport verse a recitation activity. Specialists in this field frequently debate this issue, discussing the criteria that should exist when evaluating a sport. The main goal is to make a list concise enough yet, at the same time detailed so it can be used in every sporting model.

Ten years ago, if someone had told me that I would be a cheerleader at the collegiate level, I would most likely have laughed in their face. Now as I sit here getting ready for practice, I laugh thinking of how I entered the world of cheerleading. Going into my freshman year of high school, my mother told me I had to try out for cheerleading. So, naturally, I cried. There was no way I would be a cheerleader. But as they say, mothers know best. Growing up, I participated in every sport imaginable; gymnastics, basketball, track, lacrosse, and even golf. Changing activities often became familiar for me, as I would get bored quite easily. After I had made the decision to take up cheerleading full time, I felt like I was downgrading. I felt

Everyone knows academics are the main point of school, but athletics have begun to take over and draw away from that focus. Many individuals believe school sports are more important than ever; however, cost is excessive and players often think about upcoming games or matches, detracting attention from homework. Therefore, districts should eliminate after-school sports because they cost tremendous amounts of money, cause academic failure, and are a major distraction.

By many people, marching band members are believed to have ‘fun’ and play ‘games’ all day, but band camp is truly meant to be lengthy, sufficient, and helpful day-long

As a kid I never really found the right sport for me. I tried out different kid of sports , but nothing had been the right fit until I found the world of competitive cheer. I had been very hesitant to join because I thought it was something silly, I had been wrong. Cheerleading will always be one of the best opportunity that I have made.

On a whim in fifth grade, I decided that I wanted to learn how to play an instrument. I had never thought about how important it would become, but it has become a primary part of my life. I think this reason starts with you. You made learning music more entertaining for 10 year olds who don't have the first clue as to what they're doing. Not only did you teach me the fundamentals of it, but you created a love for it through opportunities and encouragement.

When most people think of cheerleading, they think of the spirit squads that attempt to pump up the local crowd at high school basketball and football games. People are not aware of what these athletes are doing when they are not in front of these crowds. Strangers to cheerleaders who do not follow the sport extensively do not know the exact involvement of the athletes in this sport, at all ages. Cheerleading requires athleticism like all other sports as you must be in shape and at a great fitness level to be involved in most circumstances. Cheerleaders have to know what they’re doing at all times; while knowing what everyone else on the team is doing as well, which involves a high level of mental preparation. Cheerleading, high school or

Dictonary.com defines a sport as “an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature”. Based on this definition, marching band is technically a sport. Marching band is an activity that requires a lot of skill. It may look easy to play music while “walking” on a field but it is more than that. Most bands require the music to be memorized, the marchers have to be aware of what is going on around them, keep their instruments at a certain spot while playing, and sometimes even do visuals that instructors put in. While I was in high school, my marching band would start practices in May to teach the new members how to march because it is important to keep the upper body still so the music does not sound choppy. My high school is one that is very competitive. While I was in the marching band there, we won our largest

Marching band is extremely challenging, both physically and mentally. The band starts practicing in the month of August. In hot conditions they begin learning the techniques of marching and the sets to their show. Frequent water breaks are necessary during the first month of practice because of the heat. A band member quickly learned to avoid greasy food on these hot days because of a story about a boy and his onion burger that did not stay down. (McKinley, Cynthia. "Hard work and fun--in a high school marching band." ). Even though the heat is not fun marchers still come as early as 6:45 in the morning for the start of practice in order to perfect their show. Marching shows include intricate forms that could result in students tripping over their own feet and falling to the ground. "Athletic trainers can play a vital role working with secondary school and collegiate marching bands, color guards and others involved in on-field activities," said Scott Sailor, association president…. Yet only 37 percent of public high schools have a full-time athletic trainer” ("Marching Band Members Can Use a Physical Tuneup; Gradually boost activity and become acclimated to heat, trainers advise." Consumer Health News). Unlike the football team, trainers are typically not provided for the band. Both activities involve movements that could potentially hurt students. In fact at an away football game one of the color guard girls hit her knee with a rifle while performing. Her knee instantly started to swell and bruise in

When an individual thinks about a demanding sport, more than likely their first response would be football, basketball, or something of that nature. A sport involves physical exertion and skill in which a single person or team compete in a competition for entertainment. Contradictory to what an average person would think, marching band is just as much a sport than football or basketball. Marching band is a sport because of all the competitions, the physical exercise, and the discipline it takes to be in a marching band.

In addition, there’s marching band. In my opinion marching band is the funnest part. You march across the football field during games in front of a huge crowd. You also, play the songs from memory. There are dance moves and much more that you get to do. You may be nervous at first but once you’re running on adrenaline it’s so much fun.

So, I might as well write about something that consumes my life 24/7: marching band. I didn’t officially start marching band until the ninth grade. You could join as an eighth grader, but I was way too scared. Ninth grade rolled around and I decided to join. My first marching show was named ‘Double Crossed.’It was set in the 1920s, which is my favorite time period. We had music from Chicago: The Musical and many other pieces. It was one of my absolute favorite shows. It still is actually. Even though we didn’t even make it past regionals that year, I didn’t care. My first marching show was one to remember.

You are worried about your child going to get injured in his first game of football. Little did you know, there's nothing you should be really worried about. In fact, sports to young children or teens might seem dangerous. But on the other hand, it is just a fun sport for young children and teens to play. Sports also makes kids and teens active in a fun way and sports makes kid entertain themselves. Although sports seems dangerous, teens and young children should be allowed to play sports because sports makes them healthy, higher scores in school, and makes kids less depressed (sad).