Cheerleading is more than high-energy routines and team spirit—it’s one of the most athletically demanding youth sports in the U.S. From thrilling stunts at halftime to fierce competition on stage, today’s cheerleaders push their physical limits. But with that energy comes real risk: concussions, catastrophic injuries, sex abuse, and lawsuits are very real concerns that coaches, squads, competitions, and camps must proactively address.
Whether you’re overseeing a local squad or hosting a regional camp, here’s how to build a foundation of safety and protection for everyone involved.
Top Risks in Youth Cheer (And How to Prevent Them)
1. Concussions: Not Just a Football Problem
The Risk: Cheerleading accounts for a significant share of sports-related concussions, particularly from falls during stunts or tumbling. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, concussions are the most common injury in cheer—especially in competitive formats.
Mitigation Strategies:
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Require concussion training for coaches and volunteers.
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Follow “Return to Play” protocols after head injuries—no exceptions.
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Enforce proper spotting techniques during all stunt practices.
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Educate parents and athletes to recognize signs of concussions like dizziness, headaches, or confusion.
2. Catastrophic Injuries: Low Frequency, High Impact
The Risk: Cheerleading is consistently ranked among the top sports for catastrophic injuries—including paralysis and traumatic brain injuries. These are often the result of falls from pyramids or mishandled stunts.
Mitigation Strategies:
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Never allow stunting or tumbling without qualified, credentialed instructors present.
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Adhere strictly to stunt progression guidelines established by governing bodies like USA Cheer, YCADA, or NFHS.
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Conduct all practices on appropriate surfaces (spring floors or mats), not concrete or grass.
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Limit stunt height and complexity based on athlete age and skill level.
3. Unqualified Instructors or Inconsistent Standards
The Risk: Too often, enthusiastic volunteers or former cheerleaders coach without up-to-date training. While well-meaning, they may lack knowledge of evolving safety standards, exposing your organization to negligence claims.
Mitigation Strategies:
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Require certifications such as AACCA/USA Cheer Safety Certification for all instructors and camp leaders.
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Conduct background checks and reference screening for staff and volunteers.
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Use written coaching guidelines and standard operating procedures for camps and events.
4. Sex Abuse / Molestation
The Risk: There have been a number of high-profile cheer organizations with incidents of abuse/molestation resulting in huge settlements.
Mitigation Strategies:
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Require all coaches and administrators to pass third-party criminal background checks.
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Comply with the federal Safe Sport Act.
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Have a written educational awareness program and policies, and procedures to make an incident less likely to occur.
5. Contractual Transfer
The Risk: Not all injuries can be prevented by risk management. Those injuries that can’t be prevented should be contractual transferred whenever possible.
Mitigation Strategies:
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Use waiver/release agreements for youth participants and adult staff members.
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Secure adequate General Liability and Accident insurance.
Adequate Insurance And Strong Risk Management Is A Must
At Sadler Sports Insurance, we’ve seen it all—from booster-backed cheer squads to elite travel teams. With over 65 years of experience, we offer cheer-specific protection that includes:
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One-stop shop for all your cheer insurance policies in a single transaction
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Instant online quote/pay/printing of proof of coverage docs and certificates
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High limit General Liability options from $1M to $5M and even higher
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High limit Accident options from $25,000 to $100,000
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Best in industry free risk management templates that cover the important topics
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Sex Abuse / Molestation
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Concussion
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Sudden Cardiac Arrest
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Proper Instruction And Supervision
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Emergency Action Plan
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Before the season heats up, get a fast, free cheer insurance quote.
