How do YOU Define Sport?

I have had so many discussions with my clients and friends on this topic that I think it’s about time to write something on it. Growing up playing basketball and waterpolo and being a swimmer, I have an eclectic sports background. One that has allowed me to see great “athletes” in “sports” that can’t even dribble a basketball or catch a cold, I mean a ball. But what makes a sport? What makes an athlete? The latter debate will be a whole other blog. I have some issues calling Nascar and golf a sport, but then I’ve had some great discussions on why they should be and I was compelled to keep them on the list, but I was not happy with it. So I have finally created a list that sits well with me. Please feel free to tear it apart and leave me comments on what you think.

There are many “sports” that are in the gray area of what I consider a sport. But Nascar and golf were the biggest. And here is why they were hard for me. Golf, does not really raise one’s heart rate or have anything to do with anyone else in the competition, except of course for their score. You are basically playing the course by yourself and only have “pressure” for making a shot. You don’t have Ray Lewis charging at you as you try to make a shot. There is NO defense in golf. MAJOR issue for me. And I’m a swimmer! And yes, I also have a problem calling swimming a sport. Don’t get mad yet, I will explain soon how swimming fits into my definition. Back to golf. It is obvious that Tiger Woods is an athlete. But Phil Mickelson? Or Vijay Singh? I’m not sure I would pick them first at even my own family BBQ for a game of hoops or volleyball. I would be way more impressed with golf (I already I am because I suck at it) if they only had 10 seconds to hit the ball and the crowd got to say whatever they wanted like a Boston vs. Yankee game, AND  they were timed and there total time to complete the course counted into their score.

And then there’s Nascar. Hardly any body movement. There is no weight-bearing movements or even large body movements AT ALL. I know how hard driving that car is because I’ve done indoor go cart racing. Don’t laugh, that is hard stuff! I can only imagine what it’s like doing the real thing. At least there is defense. I like that. But the fact that there is no running  around or throwing or any real type of body movement, ehhhh I don’t know about calling it a sport.

So these two sports have led me to my definition of a sport. Heeerrre we gooo.

There must be two different categories; combative and non-combative. In combative, this is the ultimate sport categorie in my opinion. There is defense, cardio, strength, skill, you name it. The non-combative category allows the swimmers, gymnasts, Nascar drivers, golfers, track and field, and others to enjoy the title of “sport.” Here is the criteria.

Combative Sport

• Must use legs for movement/action (not sitting on a bike)
• Must be a cardiovascular challenge (at least 80% of max heart rate during some times of the competition) and endurance of over 60 minutes at high levels
• Must be some sort of coordination involved with the feet and the hands, i.e. running and throwing or catching or kicking, etc.
• Must be defense from the opponent
• There must be a learned skill involved
• Must keep score and therefore have a winner

*Sports included are; tennis, hockey, baseball, football, soccer, wrestling, water polo, basketball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, rugby, lacrosse, mixed martial arts, boxing, and the like.

Non-Combative Sport

• Defense is not mandatory
• Cardiovascular challenge is an option
• There must be hand to eye coordination involved
• There must be a learned skill involved
• There must be a score or time and therefore a winner
• There must be some sort of strength or intensity involved**

*Sports included are; golf, Nascar, arm wrestling, ping pong, swimming, track and field, running, surfing, fencing, skiing, snow boarding, cycling, and the like.

**this omits darts, curling, pool, and other GAMES.

So what do YOU think??

Next we will talk about the definition of an ATHLETE.