List of Sports

It is scientifically proven that exercising is good for our physical health as well as psychological health. Exercising has abundant benefits, which include health benefits like maintaining our cholesterol level, helping in strengthening our bones, and also reducing the risk of stroke by 50%. When we exercise, certain chemicals are released from our brain, which includes endorphins that help us in relieving stress. If endorphins are produced at higher levels, it helps us to focus and improves our memory, retaining power.

Schools have introduced sport as a compulsory subject as data shows that students who have chosen a sport have fewer chances of depression than those who don't play any. Sport helps in boosting the self-esteem and confidence of the students. The experience of defeat in a sport can build the self-awareness which is necessary to manage academic and social problems.

A particular sport is not made for everyone. Everyone has different skills and talents on the basis of which they can choose the sport. It can take time to find a sport that plays to your strength, but if an individual has found a perfect sport for him/her, then he/she will avail the following benefits:

• Part of a supportive community
  If a person chooses a team game, he/she will be a part of a team that will always support him. The team will encourage and help him tackle all the difficulties which he/she will face.
• Self Confidence
  By playing a particular sport, a person gains self-confidence. After winning a match, the player's self-esteem and confidence get boosted, and he becomes more confident in his game next time and also in his personal life, and he/she will be willing to perform slightly more difficult tasks than the previous one.
• Teamwork and problem-solving skills
  Sports teaches an individual how to build teamwork and effectively communicate with other team members to solve problems. Fighting for a common goal with a group of members enhances the problem-solving skills of an individual. These skills help the players when they encounter problems at work or their home.
• Stress Buster
  It is scientifically proven that exercising helps to release stress. By indulging in a sports activity, an individual makes some new friends who are with him as a support system

1. Archery

The word archery is derived from the Latin word arcus, which means bow. Archery is being practiced since ancient times. Archery was not a sport earlier. It was used for hunting and in Battles. As time passed archery was seen as a sport rather than a weapon for killing. Today archery is played as a sport in Olympics as well as the Paralympics.

2. Badminton

Badminton is a racquet sport in which a shuttlecock is hit with the racquet across the net. The shuttlecock was made of 16 goose feathers earlier, but shuttles with synthetic fibers are generally used nowadays. Badminton requires a minimum of two players and can be played with larger teams also. It is played on a court or a lawn. The game was named after a country in Gloustershire. Badminton was originated in Pune in Maharashtra, where the British army officers played this game in the 1860s. This game was initially known as Poona.

3. Cricket

Cricket is the second most popular game in the world. Data shows that almost 120 million people play cricket across the globe. It is a bat and ball game which is played in teams of two with 11 players in each team. Cricket is played on a field at the center of which a 22-yard rectangular area called pitch is present. It has wickets on both of its ends and the wickets comprise of two bails balancing on three stumps. Each team takes turns batting and bowling. There are various duration of cricket matches held, so each team gets its inning according to the type and duration of the match.

4. Bowling

Bowling is a target sport that is generally played as a part of recreational activity. It is also known as tenpins. In this game, the player has to roll a ball on a long, narrow land and knock down the target (pins). It is played as a recreational activity, but it is not limited to that; every year, various tournaments are organized worldwide with millions of prize money.

5. Boxing

Boxing is a combat sport which is also referred to as a violent sport that involves attack and defense with the fists. Boxers generally wear protective equipment such as padded gloves and mouth guards. Different types of championships are organized throughout the year, which has different rules and regulations depending on the federation. To win a match, a boxer has to score certain points in a match or by making the opponent incapable of continuing the match.

6. Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which each team has a minimum of five players. Both the teams compete on a rectangular court that has baskets mounted 10 feet above the ground on both sides. Each team tries its best to toss the ball in the opponent's basket in order to score points. At the end of the time, the team that has a lead of certain points is considered as the winner of the match.

7. Baseball

Baseball is a bat and ball game that is played between two teams of nine players, each on a field with four wide bases laid out in a diamond. The teams alternate positions as batters and fielders, and the game proceeds when the player in the fielding team called the pitcher throws the ball towards the player on the batting team who tries to hit the ball with a bat. After hitting the ball, the player tries to make a complete circuit around the base for a run. The team scoring the maximum runs in nine innings is considered the winner of the match. Each team tries to stop the attacking team and retain the ball. The team that has more points is considered the winner of the match.

8. Wrestling

Wrestling is a combat sport that involves different types of techniques with both traditional historic and modern styles. A wrestler tries to make his opponent's back touch the ground in order to score points. Wrestling is conducted on the ground as well as mat. Wrestling competitions have been held since ancient times. Various championships are organized every year, and wrestling is also an Olympic sport where many players compete in different weight categories for the Olympic medal.

9. High Jumping

In this sport, the major objective for the athlete is to jump over a bar placed over a certain height without touching it. The athlete starts by running for a short distance before jumping over the bar with his back towards the bar without dislodging it. The winner's title is given to the athlete with the highest jump among all the other competitors.

10. Table Tennis

Table tennis is generally played by two or four players. In table tennis, the aim of the players is to score eleven points first to win the first set and then dominate the other sets as well to win the game. Table tennis is played on a wide table that is 9 feet long and 5 feet wide and is 2.5 feet above the ground, and the net is hung 6 inches above the table.

11. Field Hockey

Field hockey is a team sport that is played between teams of 11 players each. The objective of field hockey is to score more goals than the other team before the time ends. To score a goal, a player must use the hockey stick to move the ball and shoot it into the goal. The total duration of the game is 70 minutes, in which there are two halves of 35 minutes each. The team having more goals than the opposing team at the end of time is the winner of the game. If the two teams score the same points at the end of the time, then the match will be declared a draw, and penalty shootouts can be used to determine the winner of the game.

12. Ice Hockey

Ice hockey is a team sport that is played between two teams that have 6 players each. The objective of ice hockey is to score more goals than the opponent team. The goal will only be considered if the player scores it with the help of the hockey stick. Each game is played in three 20 minute intervals. At the end of the time, the team with the maximum number of goals wins the game.

13. Fencing

The word fencing comes from the Latin word defensa, which means protection. Fencing is a unique combative sport in which two sword-wielding competitors compete against each other. Each fencer attempts to touch the other player with the sword to score the points. Fencing requires equipment for protection like a fencing jacket, fencing pants, a fencing mask, and a pair of fencing gloves.

14. Javelin Throw

The objective of the javelin throw is to throw the javelin to the maximum distance possible. The player needs to throw the javelin with maximum force so that it will land within the marked area. On the field, certain distances are marked. The game is played in two different categories of men and women. There are certain rules which the player needs to follow in order to score the points. The thrower who throws the javelin at the maximum distance among the other competitors wins the game.

15. Soccer

It is also known as football in many places. The game involves two teams of 11 players competing against each other. The objective of this sport is to score more goals than the opposing team. To score a goal, the player has to kick the football into the opposing team's goal. In this sport, the players can touch the ball with any part of their body except their hands. The total duration of the game is 90 minutes, and it is played in two halves of 45 minutes each. There's a 15-minute break after halftime. The team scoring the highest points at the end of time wins the match.

16. Golf

The game's main objective is to hit the ball into the hole marked by a flag at a particular distance in as few shots as possible. A golfer is not allowed to keep more than 14 clubs in his bag. If the player is found with more than 14 clubs, a two-shot penalty is added to the first hole. The aim of the shot is to hit the golf ball with the club as close to the hole as possible. Once the player has completed the shot, the opponent plays his shot. In golf, the player with the least distance from the hole is given a chance to make the next shot. Players alternate shots until both the players put their balls into their respective holes. Once the first hole is completed, the players move to the next hole.

17. Volleyball

The objective of the game is to win the three sets faster than the opposing team. Each team consists of 6 players. To win the game, the team has to score 25 points and maintain a lead of 2 points. The player has to aim to hit the ball over the net and onto the opponent's court to score a point.

18. Darts

The aim of the game is to win more sets than the opponents. Darts are usually played between two people, and in order to score points, the player needs to throw darts on the dartboard. A player has three darts and stands at a line known as oche. A dartboard is split into 20 sections, and each section scores the relevant number of points.

19. Karate

Karate, popularly referred to as sport karate, is a combat sport that is contested between two fighters in a ring that measures 8m*8m. In order to score points, the player needs to hit the opponent cleanly and with good power and technique. The points are awarded to the player on the basis of the technique used by the player to tackle the opponent.

20. Gymnastics

Gymnastics is the performance of systematic exercises, often with the use of rings and bars. Gymnastics involves various techniques, and the players are given points on the basis of the technique used to perform a particular exercise or stunt.

21. Weightlifting

The objective of the game is to lift more weight than your opponents. This sport tests the strength and power of the players. Weightlifters are separated into different weight categories and must successfully lift a barbell with weights over their heads with complete control.

22. Taekwondo

It is a combat sport contested between two fighters. The ring in which the fight takes place is 8 m in diameter. The contest starts when both the players' bow to each other and the referee. Each contestant is given points on the basis of the skills displayed.

23. Hang Gliding

It is a sport of flying in lightweight unpowered aircraft. For takeoff, it is launched into the air from a height, usually from a mountain or cliff. Hang gliding is a popular sport nowadays, and it is often seen as an adventurous activity.

24. Sumo

It is a style of Japanese wrestling in which the weight and strength of the player play a major role. To win this type of wrestling, a player needs to propel the opponent out of a ring, which is 15 m in diameter.

25. Bungee Jumping

Bungee jumping is an adventurous sport in which the jumper falls from a cliff or mountain, and both of their feet are tied with a rubber rope. After a period of headfirst free fall, the rubber rope rebounds from its maximum stretch.