In some ways, it’s almost a paradigm shift. The sport of cheer, which has long held the stereotype of athletes wearing short skirts and barely-there sports tops, is encouraging its coaches, squads and leaders to review their uniform choices, with the goal of adding options that make athletes feel less self-conscious and more confident.
USA Cheer, the NGB, is leading the charge, which may be reflected in competitive events sooner rather than later.
While cheer as a sport has become increasingly complex and athletic over time, incorporating elements of dance and gymnastics as well as aerial maneuvers, its uniforms in some cases have not kept pace to provide more coverage to athletes.
The position statement is not a rule, but instead is a recommendation for parents, athletes, coaches and program leaders to review their uniform choices with an emphasis on body autonomy, comfort and sport-appropriate attire.
It is recommended that uniform policies be reviewed regularly and discussed with athletes, as well as parents and guardians, as well as other leaders.
“Our goal is to encourage thoughtful decision-making that supports the overall health, confidence and performance of cheer athletes,” notes the email. "USA Cheer recognizes that uniforms are an integral part of cheerleading’s tradition and culture. However, as we look toward the future, it is essential to ensure that uniform choices reflect a commitment to athlete well-being, inclusivity and body confidence.”
Key considerations for uniform choices, according to the email, include the following:
Supporting Athlete Comfort and Confidence
A University of South Carolina body image study found 68 percent of cheer athletes reported feeling self-conscious in their uniforms; 74 percent said uniform standards negatively affected their body image.
Recommendations: USA Cheer recommends that teams consider uniform designs that provide options for athletes, including providing alternative styles, less form-fitting tops, or uniforms with more coverage. Additionally, the organization notes, age-appropriate attire should be prioritized, particularly for younger athletes (ages 5-12), with a focus on comfortable, modest designs that allow for freedom of movement without unnecessary exposure.
Social Media Considerations and Athlete Consent
Recommendations: A social media policy should be implemented to guide the posting of athlete images. Photos featuring revealing uniforms or athletic poses should be reviewed by the coaching staff and the athletes before being publicly shared. Athletes should have the right to give or withhold consent for their images to be posted, empowering them to control their digital presence and request that published images be removed if so desired.
USA Cheer has noted that it intends to foster alignment with other sports and governing bodies that have changed or modified their uniform policies as follows:
Gymnastics: USA Gymnastics and the French Gymnastics Federation now allow unitards and shorts for increased comfort and movement coverage.
Swimming/Diving: World Aquatics provides greater uniform flexibility.
Wrestling: Compression shirts and shorts are now widely accepted alternatives.
Track & Field: 43 percent of surveyed female athletes reported discomfort in standard uniforms, prompting revised attire policies with the inclusion of longer shorts and looser tops as acceptable alternatives.
The International Cheer Union and IASF require full tops on uniforms for all teams competing.
While beach volleyball at the Olympic level allows competitors to wear bathing suits, high school and college athletes are required to wear full-coverage shorts and shirts.
STUNT (which incorporates cheer skills but removes the crowd-leading aspect, and which is an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women) uses uniforms similar to that of volleyball (full coverage shorts and shirts).
USA Cheer has developed a script for coaches to use when discussing uniform options with athletes.
Of course, the uniform of cheer is a longstanding institution; the question now is whether cheer teams will use the new guidance to develop different uniform standards. Only future events will tell.
