All across America there are countless sports that people
participate in, and then there are other activities that people may not call a
sport due to lack of qualifications under ones conscious. People argue all the
time when it comes to defining a sport. As if the most common sports such as baseball,
football, basketball all require athletic ability and competition, they also
require a form of defense where they try to prevent the other team from
accomplishing their goal. For something to be referenced a sport, it should not
be held on a judge’s basis like as in gymnastics, or diving. This argument has
been around a very long time as people can’t accept some activities as sports.
Although most activities that people argue have physical involvement, they do
not meet the standards of some individuals. But those individuals also have
different standards in determining a sport.
One of the most controversial sports that is argued to be a
sport is cheer-leading. With cheer-leading there are two different types of it
with competitive cheer-leading, and just your normal cheer-leading for your local
teams. With your recreational cheer-leading, it should not be considered as a
sport but more of an activity. With competitive cheer-leading though this is
another story. As all across the nation competitive cheer-leading is taken very
seriously and they hold competitions nationally. I would personally consider
competitive cheer-leading to be a sport and that’s it with cheer-leading. We will
never come to a full conclusion as if cheer-leading is a sport or not, but think
of qualifications in your mind and determine that for yourself.
One of the qualifications is if there is another team or
someone trying to prevent the other individuals from meeting their goals,
whether it be scoring or reaching another position which is defense. If the
sport has defense then it must have competition. These are some qualifications
people would look at in determining a sport. Most people would also argue if
the sport requires physical movement or involvement. Most activities require
some form of movement but they lack the definition of defense. Some more
qualifications are having endurance, strength, athletic ability, and strategy. These
qualifications could almost fall into a lot of sports categories in determining
it an actual sport, but they would have to meet all qualifications including
defense.
If an activity doesn’t fall under the categories of being
called a sport, then it could fall into other categories. These categories are
athletic competitions, or athletic events. When activities have judges, the
judges are not equivalent to referees or umpires. Having rules and regulations
is another huge thing, but most organized activities or sports have those. In
conclusion you must look at regulations or make your own and determine if
certain activities could be accounted for a sport. If they can meet most of
these regulations stated, then determine it a sport. One of the main key
regulations though is defense. Having another individual trying to not allow
you to reach your goal reflects a form of competition. Having competition could
determine a sport. Arguments on basing something a sport will continue forever
as people look at different views and regulations.