In your mind, is this a sport? Do you have any examples of what you do or do not consider a sport?
How do you define "sports"?
- Thread starter pourcyne
- Start date
That competitive slapping thing is probably the stupidest "sport" I've ever seen.
My AP Psych course had this exact question as a thought exercise in high school. Everyone immediately agrees that football/soccer/basketball etc are sports. But is cheer or dance? What about golf? Let's say all of those are, but then how about trap or skeet? Are those really that different than golf at their core? If you keep going then eventually darts/bags/beer pong are sports.
Here are the definitions I came up with and have used ever since:
Sports: physical competitions directly against a clear opponent where your actions directly influence theirs and visa versa.
Competitions: Physical activities where the goal is to accomplish the best personal/team "score" possible. Opponents may drive some decisions, but the ultimate goal is simply to do your best.
Games: Physical prowess is not needed to reach the height of these, although it may be beneficial.
Here are the definitions I came up with and have used ever since:
Sports: physical competitions directly against a clear opponent where your actions directly influence theirs and visa versa.
Competitions: Physical activities where the goal is to accomplish the best personal/team "score" possible. Opponents may drive some decisions, but the ultimate goal is simply to do your best.
Games: Physical prowess is not needed to reach the height of these, although it may be beneficial.
I heard a comedian once define it as having defense. So bowling and golf would not be sports.
I think a sport has to involve some level of physical activity towards a competitive end.
But that could include things like pool and video games, which I do not consider sports - rather games.
I feel like golf is a sport, but if you're riding in a cart, I can't articulate why golf is a sport and pool isn't.
But that could include things like pool and video games, which I do not consider sports - rather games.
I feel like golf is a sport, but if you're riding in a cart, I can't articulate why golf is a sport and pool isn't.
It’s mind blowing that it even got sanctioned. Actually slap boxing would be entertaining but a defenseless guy getting slapped is not. Though I’m sure it’ll be great for social media clips
A sport is any physical competition where you can directly influence your opponent’s performance. In other words, there has to be some kind of defense. Every other kind of competition is a game.
Golf: game
Tennis: sport
Golf: game
Tennis: sport
I watched the collegiate Excel competition a few weeks ago. I am an Excel nerd and was actually intrigued to watch. It was the worst thing I have ever seen.
I love golf, and have no problem with anyone who says it's not a sport.
A sport should involve some type of explosive movement that requires strength, speed or quickness. Running, skating, skiing, swimming, weightlifting, etc...
This eliminates darts, bags, archery, bowling, shuffle board, etc... Golf and curling are fuzzy. There is an explosive movement with the golf swing so I'd consider it. Sweeping in curling is also somewhat explosive. I'd still call both more of a game, than a sport, and there's nothing wrong with that. Both are still awesome.
A sport should involve some type of explosive movement that requires strength, speed or quickness. Running, skating, skiing, swimming, weightlifting, etc...
This eliminates darts, bags, archery, bowling, shuffle board, etc... Golf and curling are fuzzy. There is an explosive movement with the golf swing so I'd consider it. Sweeping in curling is also somewhat explosive. I'd still call both more of a game, than a sport, and there's nothing wrong with that. Both are still awesome.
This is pretty solid. My older daughter was a cheerleader and involved in competition/state cheer squads throughout high school and, while there's no defense or any direct influence against/by competitors, competition cheer is way more physically and athletically demanding than many other activities that are considered a "sport."
I wouldn't consider golf a sport because although it does require exceptional hand/eye/foot/body coordination, it doesn't require athletic ability, IMO there is a difference. I'd classify golf as a "skill game" along with things like bowling, darts, billiards.
Are you guys aware that there's a whole book that has definitions of words in it?
Golf is a game. Add a case of beer and it becomes a sport. As the late comedian Gallagher once said:Bowling is a good excuse for drinking and drinking is a good excuse for your bowling.
I can go out right now and play football, basketball, soccer, etc. and I have no real athletic ability.
We had this debate in college and someone said Sports have objective scores. Something like dance, where a judge scratches their chin and comes up with a number, is not.
One dude got really mad when that was related to bullriding. It is a subjective scoring event too. Same with wrestling, kinda.
One dude got really mad when that was related to bullriding. It is a subjective scoring event too. Same with wrestling, kinda.
Just because you're not good at it doesn't mean the activity itself isn't a sport.