Sports have, over the years, been used as recreational activities and a means of maintaining physical and mental health. It has kept generations of people fit while providing a fun way to compete and ensure societal development.
Moreover, sports involve a physical show of skills and competition between individuals or teams for entertainment purposes.
While some people still see sports as an unnecessary activity, most others are aware of the numerous benefits of the activity to both individuals and societies alike.
Benefits of Sports
- Promotes good sleep
- Enhances heart conditions
- Improves lung functions
- Grows one’s confidence
- Reduces stress
- Improves mental health
- Helps build stronger relationships
- Brings out one’s inner potentials
- Promotes collaboration and unity through teamwork and sportsmanship
There are many types of sports across the globe, ranging from individual activities to team sports. However, selecting just the right sport to play may prove to be complicated at times. You might be looking to start a new sport, but are unsure which sport to try and which you’d enjoy in the long run.
In this article, we will be looking at the top sports to consider playing. Are you looking for a new sport to take on? Here are our favorite sports, categorized by accessibility, equipment, and convenience.
Golf
Golf is a classic recreational activity that almost everyone can play. This sport does not require a high level of expertise to begin. Also, golf is not energy-draining and can be played by people of all ages and gender.
However, because of the long list of rules involved, some might find an alternative sport after a trial run or two. Regardless, many others have found the sport to be quite exciting and challenging.
Requirements
- Golf balls
- Tees
- Clubs
- Scoring pencils
- Golf ball marker
- Umbrella
- Towels and waterproof clothing
The sport is a club-and-ball game in which players try to hit golf balls into each hole with as few strokes as possible. Golf is often played on a golf course, and it is one of the most popular pastime sports.
Soccer
Among our list of top sports to consider playing today is soccer. Soccer, or football as it’s sometimes called, is a contact sport that is played in almost every corner of the globe. It is easily the most spectated sport in the world today. With more than 250 million players across 200 different countries, it ranks high among the most played sports.
Soccer is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players each. Both teams try to score a goal by playing a ball into the opposition’s goal post.
Requirements
- Jerseys (unique to each team)
- A pair of knee-high socks
- A pair of soccer shoes, or cleats
- shin guards
- Soccer ball
The sport is a straightforward game to play, even for beginners, and it does not demand much in terms of requirements.
Soccer at professional levels is played on a rectangular soccer pitch with two goalposts. While moving the ball around and trying to score a goal, you can move the ball with different parts of your body, except for your hands. Otherwise, a foul will be conceded.
Badminton
Badminton is an indoor sport, contested by two individuals in singular player mode or two teams of two players each in team mode.
It may come as a surprise to many, but with a total of almost 220 million players across different continents, badminton is actually among the top 10 most played sport on the planet.
Requirements
- A shuttlecock
- Badminton rackets
- Sports attire
- A pair of non-slip, sport shoes
While playing, each player/team tries to hit the shuttlecock over the net and into the opponent’s half using rackets. A point is scored if you successfully hit the ball over the net, and it lands on your opponent’s half of the court.
Table Tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong in some parts of the world, is an extremely entertaining sport in which opposing players hit a small, relatively light-weighted ball across the table using mini rackets. The table is often made up of hard materials to enable the ball to bounce well. Also, the table is divided into two equal parts by a net.
Originally played as an after-dinner game by the British in the early 1870s, ping pong has evolved to be a largely participated sport worldwide.
Requirements
- Table tennis balls
- Table tennis rackets/paddles
- Table/board
- Net and posts
The rules for table tennis are quite simple. Players hit the ball toward their opponent’s half of the board using the paddle/racket. Except for the initial serve, each player must allow the ball to bounce on their half of the table before hitting. A point is scored when the opponent fails to return the ball after being played over the net to their part of the table.
There are several other sports you can consider playing, here were just some of our top sports to consider. However, when looking for a new sport to engage in, you should consider if the sport has the following:
- Contains activities that you enjoy.
- Fits your temper.
- Aligns with your lifestyle and character.
- Helps your physical and mental health.
- Highlights your strengths.
Sports are great as they have positive effects on the body, and finding just the right sport for you can go a long way to help you attain all-round fitness and health.
