Cheer Vs Dance

[tall1234]

My DD (9) is asking to try out for her a competition cheerleading team. The coaches have been encouraging, but it's quite time consuming (three classes per week / competitions etc). She also does a lot of dance (ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and modern dance).
I wondered if any parents had an experience of both and what experience they preferred. She would have to cut down on dance for the cheer, which seems a shame as she is decent and does some associate programmes in tap and contemporary (but if I am honest she probably loves the cheer more). Thanks all.

I'd let her choose, iIt is her hobby after all. Unless she is thinking of training for a professional career in performing arts, it really won't matter what she drops.

If its in the US I would not risk Cheer as it is very poorly regulated and teens get hurt and even permanently injured very frequently.

In the UK, but that sounds worrying. She would choose cheer, but I am worried it's a bit of a fad!

(maybe has less longevity?)

If she does dance associates, then there could be a clash between those and the cheer competitions.

Another thing to think about is that she is 9. She's very young to be doing all those dance classes and cheer on top. Young people do have to build rest days into what they are doing, as their bodies need the time to recover from the exertions. I agree with the pp who said about injuries in cheer being common.

Yes she would have to choose really, cut down on dance if she wants to do cheer. I agree re-rest days, she has friends doing 10-11 things a week and I don't think that is a good thing.

I have one daughter who cheers and one who dances. I know a few who do both and they manage but cheer is definitely a passion for most of them who take part and they love it. If she wants to do cheer, I'd let her. It's a very bonding team sport and very skilled.

My daughter has been doing it for three years in a club with a few hundred members from 4-adult and the only injuries I know of were a broken wrist and a broken finger. Not ideal but to be expected in a sports club with lots of members over a few years. They take safety very seriously but obviously there is a risk as there is in many activities.

Yes I can’t believe how quickly and passionately she has got into cheer compared to dance