Types of sports

 

Sports can be classified in several ways, such as by the number of participants, the season they are played, or the environment in which they take place.

Classification by level of physical activity

• Extreme sports: These are sports that involve a high degree of risk, speed, or physical exertion. Examples include rock climbing, skydiving, and BMX.

• Endurance sports: These sports focus on prolonged physical activity. Examples include marathons, triathlons (swimming, biking, and running), and long-distance cycling.

• Mind sports: These are competitive games based on intellectual rather than physical ability, though some physical components may be present. Examples include chess, bridge, and poker.

Individual sports: Played with a single competitor. The athlete alone is responsible for winning or losing. Examples include:

• Archery
• Athletics (running, jumping, throwing)
• Boxing
• Cycling
• Gymnastics

Dual sports: Played with two competing players or pairs. Examples include:

• Badminton (doubles)
• Table tennis (doubles)
• Tennis (doubles)
• Fencing
• Team sports: Played between opposing teams with three or more players each, who work together to win. Examples include:
• American Football
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cricket
• Ice Hockey
• Soccer (Association Football)
• Volleyball

By environment or season

Aquatic sports: Take place on or in the water.

• Surface: Sailing, surfing, kayaking, rowing.
• Underwater: Diving, underwater hockey, and underwater rugby.
• In water: Swimming, water polo, and synchronized swimming.
• Winter sports: Played on snow or ice.
• Snow: Alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and biathlon.
• Ice: Ice hockey, figure skating, curling, speed skating, and bobsleigh.
• Extreme sports: Involve high speeds, heights, and risk. Examples include:
• BASE jumping
• BMX
• Parkour
• Skateboarding
• Rock climbing

By objective or activity

Combat sports: Feature two combatants fighting each other under a set of rules. Examples include:

• Boxing
• Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
• Wrestling
• Karate
• Fencing

Target sports: Competitors aim at a specific target. Examples include:

• Archery
• Bowling
• Darts
• Golf

Athletics: A collection of sporting events involving running, throwing, jumping, and racewalking. Examples include:

• Marathon
• Long jump
• Javelin throw
• Decathlon

Other classifications and emerging categories

• Parasports: Sports for athletes with disabilities. The Paralympics, for example, feature a wide range of adapted athletic events.

• Demonstration sports: These are sports that have been featured at a major event, such as the Olympics, to promote them. Though they are not official medal events, some have gone on to become official sports.

• Unique or unusual sports: Throughout the world, there are many unique or obscure sports that have grown out of local traditions or novel ideas. Examples include underwater hockey, cheese rolling, and wife-carrying.

• Esports (electronic sports): This refers to professional and organized video game competitions. Examples include games like League of Legends and Fortnite, with major tournaments offering large cash prizes.