Sports are governed by an array of unwritten rules or traditions, that help to ensure fair play, and enable consistent adjudication of a winner. In most organized sport, reports of progress are often made, and for less popular sports, such as American football, this data can be widely reported or announced in sports media. These unwritten rules help to create a level playing field, giving smaller clubs and individuals a shot at success, even if they don’t have the financial resources of major league sports franchises. Without these unwritten rules, there would be no recourse for athletes who believe they were treated unfairly. However, with so many individual athletes taking part in organized sports, there is also a level of professionalism and player safety that isn’t always exhibited by the unwritten rules of traditional sports.
Sportsmanship is one of the guiding principles behind many sports: In any given sport, there must be a level of exertion required to win, or to compete with another athlete. There must also be a level of intelligence and alertness to the game itself, as well as an ability to recover from injury quickly. All of these must be balanced with the willingness to protect the athlete and the community that support the activity.
Many sports have become so much about: the spirit of competition that they have actually developed a negative identity for the sport itself. Perhaps this is why football, one of the most popular sports names around, has been so tarnished by recent years. The “bad boy” image that is associated with the sport in the public’s mind makes other athletes feel compelled to tone down their competitive spirit. Sportswear manufacturers have even come under fire for the types of clothes their athletes wear during competition time. Although certain sports can be hostile to the wearer, such as ice hockey, cheerleading and swimming, there are plenty of activities that are friendly to the athlete, such as track and field and soccer.
Another aspect of sports: that requires the highest level of intelligence is mental intensity. A team or an athlete must possess the ability to be extremely focused, not distracted by the “fuss” of an exhibition game or a big upset. Without mental toughness, it is impossible to stay focused on the task at hand. Whether it is a game or an actual competition, being able to stay focused will win or lose an athletic activity.
Physical dexterity is another important component of sports: that separates them from each other. Think back to the sports that immediately come to mind when you think of extreme sports. Skateboarding, snowboarding, BMX biking, NASCAR racing and sprinting all require a certain level of physical dexterity to succeed in their respective disciplines. Even those that are not very skilled at sports activities that require intense exertion, such as martial arts, rowing, windsurfing and skating, must have enough physical dexterity to perform in those sports. Without dexterity, those sports would not be possible.
The final aspect of sports is the level of cooperation needed in the sport: Cooperation means that individuals on an athletic field or in a sports event don’t think for themselves, but rather they work together for the sake of the team. This is why professional sports leagues are successful and popular; they give their players a reason to work together beyond the individual aspects of each sport.