What is a Sport? Are Bowling and Golf actually Sports?

The Defensive Component

In my analysis, the defensivecomponent is the requirement thatseparates the "pseudo-sports" fromactual sports. But in order to makethis distinction I need to be verythorough and clear in my definition ofthe defensive component. Once againfor the major team sports it is easy toidentify the defensive component. For other activities such as tennis, itbecomes more difficult. So here is myattempt to define the defensivecomponent.  The defensivecomponent must directly counteract anopponent's offensive component. Thedefensive actions must take place either simultaneously with the opponent's offensive actions or inone contiguous action in relation to the offensive actions of the opponent. Let me explain, infootball the offensive and defensive actions are taking place simultaneously. While one opponent isattempting to execute an offensive action the other opponent is attempting to counter that with adefensive action. Pretty straight forward, but what about an activity such as tennis? In tennis,the initial serve represents an offensive action; the return represents both a defensive and anoffensive action. The point in the return, when the opponent receiving the serve first makescontact with the ball, represents a defensive action. By making contact with the ball, the recipientof the serve has temporarily prevented the opponent from scoring. The follow through andsubsequent return now represent an offensive action.  This back and forth transition from offenseto defense and vice versa continues until an opponent is unable to successfully defend an opponent'soffensive action, in which case a point is awarded to the opponent executing the offensive action. An errant return, such as hitting the ball into the net or out of bounds, can be looked at as theinability to successfully perform an offensive action, which also will result in a point for theopponent.  This, in concept is not too dissimilar to football when the defense sacks thequarterback in the end zone and receives two points for a safety. So there are situations, wherepoints can be awarded for defensive actions or to the opponent as the result of unsuccessfuloffensive actions.   Contrast tennis to curling, in curling opponent "A" takes the initial shot, whichis then followed by a brief break in the action. Next, opponent "B" takes his or her shot. It maybe that the shot by opponent "B" moves the stone of opponent "A" out of scoring position. Is thisdefense? Well by my definition, no. Opponent "B" did not perform the action simultaneously withthat of opponent "A", nor was it performed as one contiguous event. Opponent "A" was able toperform the offensive action with no defensive action from opponent "B".  The shot executed byopponent "B" would be classified as possibly offensive or strategic, but not defensive. Thedefensive action must impair the opponent from successfully executing their offensive action. Alsoit must be pointed out that the defensive action must be considered a legal action within the rules of

the game. For example, one runner can't intentionally trip the lead runner in an attempt to win arace.

In Practice

Ok, so let's put this evaluation method to the test. Is bowling a sport?  Well it barely has anathletic component, there is a strategic component, there is an offensive component but there is nodefensive component. So is bowling a sport? No.Â

Is golf a sport? Well once again, golf has an athletic, strategic and offensive component, butsimilar to bowling it does not have a defensive component. So is golf a sport? No. Now thisdoesn't mean that you do not have to be athletic or skilled to play the game of golf, but it is not asport.

How about boxing? Well it has an athletic component, a strategic component, an offensivecomponent and a defensive component, so the answer is, yes.

How about track and field events? Well, is there adefensive component? I don't think so.   So does thismean you don't have to be a good athlete to participate intrack and field events? No, it just means that they areathletic activities that require skill and athletic ability, butthey are not sports.

Competitive swimming?  No. Water polo?  Yes.

As I stated in my opening paragraph, I don't expecteveryone to agree with me and my analysis, however what

I have attempted to do is identify the required components that must be present to classify anactivity as a sport.  Anyway that is my take; I'd be interested in hearing your take.