Grab any pair of white tennis shoes and a kid is ready to hit the field as a cheerleader, right? Wrong! When it comes to proper dress and safety, a greater level of consideration should go into the selection of cheerleading shoes.In most cases, cheerleading uniforms are not things parents can pick up at the corner department store. Special orders are often required for the tops, skirts and even the socks and shoes. There are two main reasons why cheerleading apparel – especially the footwear – should be selected with extreme care. They are:Squad coordination – If a child needs cheerleading shoes to perform with a squad that will be on the field or active in competition, coordination will matter. This means that every child on a team will need to have the same cheerleading uniforms from the shoes on up to the cheerleading pom poms and tops. When squad members are not fully coordinated, an entire team can lose points from judges during competition. Before buying cheerleading shoes, it’s just smart to check with the coach or dress code to make sure the right selection is made.Safety – This can also be a concern when buying cheerleading shoes. The reality is that cheerleading is a very demanding and active sport. Participants are often called upon to perform major stunts, stay on their feet for hours on end and stretch in ways that can make some people cringe. With these things in mind, the proper cheerleading apparel is selected not only for appearances, but also safety. A good pair of cheerleading shoes will provide the proper foot and ankle support for complicated stunts and active performances.There is more to putting together cheerleading uniforms than many realize. From the cheerleading shoes up to the tops and even hair ties, coordination and safety must come into play.