Is Cheerleading Safe? The Latest Data and How Our Coaches Put Athlete Well-Being First
If you’ve ever watched a cheer routine—whether it’s on the sidelines or at a national competition—you know how amazing (and, let’s be honest, sometimes downright daring) these athletes can be. Flips, tosses, pyramids, and powerful dance moves: cheerleading is athletic, artistic, and a true adrenaline rush. But what about safety? That question pops up for a lot of families thinking about joining a team like Fingerlakes Flyers, so let’s break down the facts.
Cheerleading Safety: What the Latest Data Tells Us
Cheerleading hasn’t always had the best reputation for safety. In the past, headlines highlighted serious injuries, and some worried that stunting and tumbling were just too risky. But here’s the good news—cheer safety has improved tremendously over the last decade thanks to new guidelines, rules, coaching certification, and a collective focus on athlete health.
Key Statistics:
Catastrophic injuries have dropped 85% over the last decade. That means injuries resulting in long-term disability (or worse) are now very rare.
Zero reported fatal or permanently disabling cheer injuries in the last two years, nationwide.
Emergency room visits for cheerleaders are now lower than several other girls’ sports, and the number of severe injuries is (and has been) less than football, baseball, soccer, and boys’ wrestling.
Concussion rates have increased across all sports, including cheer, with stunts like pyramids and basket tosses presenting the highest risks. Still, the average annual risk of concussion for 12–17-year-old athletes doing these skills is only about 3.5%.
So, is cheerleading safe? Statistically—especially when compared to other youth sports—the answer is yes, but (and it’s an important “but”) it depends on how the program manages safety.
Where Are the Risks? Understanding Injuries in Cheerleading
The most recent studies break down cheerleading injuries as follows:
Most common injuries: sprains (especially ankles and wrists), strains, and a smaller percentage of fractures.
Concussion & head injuries: About half of catastrophic incidents involve the head, with some affecting the cervical spine (neck).
Highest-risk maneuvers: basket tosses, pyramids, and advanced tumbling are the usual culprits for serious accidents. In fact, basket tosses cause 35% and pyramids cause 23% of catastrophic injuries.
When injuries happen: Most severe injuries occur during complex stunts or during transitions involving multiple athletes.
But, here’s the thing—almost all these risks can be reduced with the right preparation, coaching, and rules.
The Fingerlakes Flyers Approach: Safety Always Comes First
At Fingerlakes Flyers, athlete well-being is our #1 priority (yes, even ahead of trophies or perfect pyramids). We know that kids do their best cheering, jumping, and stunting when they feel safe and supported. Here’s what we do:
1. Qualified, Certified Coaches
Our coaches are required to complete safety certification courses—and they update them regularly.
Ongoing professional development is key to keeping up with the latest injury prevention research and rule changes.
2. Skill Progression & Age-Appropriate Stunts
We never “rush” an athlete into a skill they’re not ready for.
Every team follows a clear skill progression: basics first, then advancing only when ready—no exceptions!
Complex stunts are only performed with proper spotting, mats, and supervision.
3. Continuous Supervision and Spotting
Certified spotters are always on hand when learning new stunts or pyramids.
Team members themselves are trained to look out for one another.
Coaches are empowered (and encouraged!) to stop a practice if anything looks unsafe.
4. Focus on Return-to-Play Protocols
If an athlete gets hurt—especially a possible concussion—they don’t return to full activity until cleared by a healthcare professional.
We follow strict guidelines for gradually reintroducing skills post-injury.
Communication with parents is open and ongoing if an injury occurs.
5. Prioritizing Rest, Recovery, and Mental Wellness
Overuse injuries happen when young athletes don’t rest. We build recovery time and cross-training into our routines.
Mental health is part of “safety,” too—and our supportive team environment helps every athlete feel valued and heard.
A Culture of Safety by Design
There’s no shortcut to safe cheerleading—it’s built into how we run our practices, train our coaches, and communicate with our athletes and families. Some of the concrete ways we keep safety at the forefront at Fingerlakes Flyers:
Safety meetings at the start of every season
Frequent equipment checks (mats, shoes, and facilities)
Parent and athlete education nights on injury prevention and recognizing concussion symptoms
Close contact with athletic trainers and physicians for guidance and emergency protocols
Open-door communication policy—parents can always ask questions or raise concerns about safety
The Big Picture: Is It Worth the Risk?
No youth sport—no matter how many precautions are taken—is ever 100% risk-free. What matters is that the risks are recognized and minimized, and the rewards (teamwork, confidence, fun, lifelong friendships) are genuinely worth it.
The latest data shows that cheer is safer than ever. With an experienced, cautious coaching staff and a program like ours that puts health first, cheerleading can be a fantastic, confidence-building experience for kids and teens.
Want to learn more about our approach to safety, or see a practice in action? You can always reach us at Fingerlakes Flyers Contact Page or stop by and chat with our coaching staff. We’re always happy to talk about how we keep cheerleading as safe—and as fun—as possible for every Flyer!
References:
Data from National Cheer Safety Month (2025) and High School RIO Surveillance System
Systematic reviews and reporting by hospital ERs and national cheerleading organizations
Fingerlakes Flyers program protocols and firsthand experience
Interested in becoming a Fingerlakes Flyer or want more info? Check out our About Page or drop us a line—we’re here to help!