Paper #3

INTRODUCTION TO SPORTS

Many students are disinterested in the Sports unit because they aren’t interested in a sport. They even ask if we can eliminate this unit. However, when I have them brainstorm as many sports as they can think of, and we write them all on the board. The class comes up with about 100 or more sports. So, obviously sports are an integral part of our society if there are so many of them and even more participants. What is not so clear is what is considered a sport. Sometimes we’ll have “sports” up there such as yoga, hot- dog eating, spelling bee, chess, cheerleading, World of Warcraft, and even sex! Some of you might say those are all sports while others might say, of course those aren’t sports. So then what defines a sport? Is it the same as fitness? As exercise? As a game? Just because it’s on ESPN, does that mean it’s a sport. There are two main things I want you to consider as you approach this unit. 1. What defines a sport? Why do you consider something a sport while something is not considered a

sport? Think analytically not literally. Don’t say, “The Olympics calls it a sport, so it’s a sport.” Instead, consider what qualities are required for you to consider something a sport.

2. Consider the signs of a sport and what they signify. Think of the following: Playing space (arena, field, pool, etc.) Rules of the game Style of play Participants Uniforms Coaches Fans Here are some examples of questions to ask yourself. * Why does basketball have so many time limitations? It has a game clock, a shot clock, a back-court

violation rule, a 5-second rule, a 3-seconds-in-the-key rule, etc. Football has a couple of time limitations, but the game clock even keeps running a lot of the time even after the play has ended. Baseball doesn’t have any time limitations at all. Why? Are they reflections of different cultural values or eras?

* Why do most countries love soccer/fútbol, but America doesn’t even consider it one of the top 4 professional sports?

* Why do many Americans prefer to watch track-and-field rather than the marathon in the Olympics? * Why do baseball coaches wear the same uniform as the team, football coaches wear windbreakers and

polo shirts, and basketball coaches wear suits? * Why do football and basketball have cheerleaders but baseball doesn’t? There are so many more sports and questions you could address, but I wanted to give you a sample of the types of analytical questions you should be thinking about.