Globally, sports are not only a recreational activity but also an inseparable part of human life. At the peak of this passion, there are popular sports that people love not only for their competitiveness but also for the excitement and spirit of overcoming themselves. Let’s explore the most popular sports in the world with Bestsoccertips.com through the article below!
Top 10 most popular sports in the world
1. Football
Football, also known as soccer, football, or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams, usually with 11 players on the field. The game uses a ball and is usually played on a rectangular field with two goals at each end. The goal of the game is to score points by putting the ball into the opposing team’s goal. Except for the goalkeeper, other players are not allowed to intentionally use their hands or arms to play the ball (except for throw-ins). The winning team is the team that scores more goals at the end of the match. Football is known as the “king of sports”, the most popular, watched, and played sport in the world.
Considered the king of sports, football is always the most popular sport in the world. There are 7 billion people in the world, of which about half of the population are football players and fans – about 3.5 billion people. Football has simple rules and is also relatively easy to play and suitable for all ages. We can easily see children playing football right on the school yard, right on the street because as long as there is a ball and passion, where to play football is no longer important. Football is also attractive because of the surprise until the last minute of each match. Viewers cannot take their eyes off the match at any moment. This is the only sport that does not cause controversy when it leads all statistical lists whether calculated by the criteria of viewers or players.
2. Cricket
Cricket is a sport using a bat and a ball, popular in many countries in the community, especially countries in the Commonwealth. Second only to football, this sport has about 2.5 billion players and viewers. Cricket is played between two teams, each team has 11 players, on a circular grass field. The purpose of the match is that the two teams take turns, one team serving and one team batting. After all the players on the batting team are out, the team will switch to pitching, and the other team will enter the field to become the batting team. This sport does not have a set time limit like football, but is played until a winner is determined, so some matches last up to 5 days.
At the start of the match, one team sends out two people holding bats to stand at either end of a flat strip of land called the “pitch”. Each end has a wicket consisting of three wooden sticks stuck in the ground, with two wooden blocks on top. The other team sends out a person to serve the ball – the “bowler” and a number of people from the same team standing around waiting to hit the ball – the “fielder”. The pitcher tries to throw the ball from one end of the pitch to the other end, the aim is to make the ball bounce off the ground and break the three wicket posts of the wicket at the other end. The opposing team’s batsman must try to knock the ball out, protecting the wicket on his side.
3. Field Hockey
On the list of the most popular and widely participated sports is field hockey – about 2 billion people participate. Similar to football, this sport also has 11 players on each team including the goalkeeper, the goalkeeper uses his whole body to catch the ball but only within the penalty area and the only difference from football is that hockey uses a stick to play the ball and put the ball into the opponent’s net. This sport is relatively gentle so both men and women can participate. In North America, women play this sport more than men, but globally, men still make up the majority.
Evidence of hockey-like games in the Middle Ages is found in legal documents related to sports and games. The Galway Law passed in Ireland in 1527 banned all types of ball games, including those using “hooked” sticks. By the 19th century, the various forms and divisions of the game began to separate and merge into the sports we know today. Organizations were formed to codify rules and regulations, while international and national associations were formed to organize competitions. Ice hockey also emerged during this time as a derivative of field hockey adapted to the cold climates of Canada and the northern United States.
4. Volleyball
There are about 900 million people in the world who play and love this sport. This is a fairly large number because volleyball has only been known in recent years. In 1964, volleyball was first introduced to the Olympics. Volleyball is played everywhere: indoors, on the beach, on grass, and on cement courts. The rules of volleyball are relatively simple, each team has 6 members separated by a net and tries to score points by getting the ball to touch the opponent’s court according to the rules. And it was not until 1996 that beach volleyball was included in the list of competitions. The heavyweight representatives for titles and medals in beach volleyball are the United States and Brazil.
It is a sport of the Summer Olympics held every 4 years. The teams compete with each other, each round consists of 2 teams separated by a net. The task of the teams is to be able to pass the volleyball ball to the opponent’s court so that the opponent cannot receive the ball or receive the ball out of the playing field. Each time the ball is passed, the ball touches the net, the ball falls inside and outside the field or there is a mistake by one of the members of the two teams that the referee catches. This sport has many different requirements and demands… In a volleyball match, there must be a referee to be able to judge, handle and make a decision on the win or loss for the ball situations of the players on the field. Whether volleyball is organized in the form of beach volleyball, mini volleyball or professional volleyball… an official match always has a referee team of 4 people…
5. Table tennis
Table tennis is considered one of the most popular sports in the world with about 850 million people interested in and playing this sport and is also the king sport of China. It was born nearly a century ago and is thriving in Europe and other Asian countries. There are 2 players, 1 or 2 people on this side hit a small ball on the table back and forth with 1 or 2 people on the other side, each person using a racket, similar to playing tennis. With quite simple rules and not too expensive competition equipment, this sport is increasingly welcomed by many people from young people, middle-aged people to women and has become the main competition in the Olympics.
The winner is the first person to reach 11 points, and each player takes turns serving after every 2 points. When the score is 10 – 10, the serve is changed after each point. The winner will be the first person to surpass his opponent by 2 points. The 11-point game was a change by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) in 2001. The 21-point game is still widely used in recreational competitions. All national and international matches are played to 11 points. Table tennis originated in England, where it was an after-dinner pastime for the upper class during the Victorian era in the 1880s. The Table Tennis Association was founded in England in 1921, and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) followed in 1926. London hosted the first World Championships in 1927. Table tennis was officially introduced as an Olympic sport in 1988.
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6. Baseball
Baseball is a team sport in which a player on one team attempts to throw a ball as hard as possible at a player on the other team, who attempts to hit the ball with a bat, before it is caught by a teammate standing behind the player. The sport originated in the United States, but baseball remains one of the most regulated and complex sports to date. It is now the leading spectator sport in Japan, and is one of the most popular sports in the world, with an estimated 500 million followers.
Baseball is very popular in the United States and East Asia. In Japan, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Panama, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Mexico, Canada, South Korea and Taiwan, it is one of the most popular sports. In the United States (where baseball originated), baseball is not just a major sport – it is the national pastime, and Major League Baseball has been granted a franchise by the United States Congress; the total attendance for Major League games is nearly equal to that of all other American professional sports combined. The popularity of baseball is so great that the word ballgame in the United States is often, but not always, used to refer to baseball, and ballpark to refer to a baseball field.
7. Basketball
Basketball has about 400 million participants, is a direct confrontation sport between 2 teams, each team has 5 players. The purpose of the match is to score many points by trying to put the ball into the opponent’s basket legally and limit the opponent from shooting the ball into your own basket. Basketball is a sport that originated in the United States but is now increasingly popular all over the world. Countries with good basketball techniques and winning many medals: China, the United States, Lithuania, Argentina and Australia.
Basketball is one of the unique sports that allows players to burn an incredible amount of calories. More specifically, it can burn up to 300 calories in a practice session. And in a match with teammates, it can help you burn up to 700 calories. Don’t forget that one of the most popular forms of basketball is half court. Playing a 3×3 match for just 30-45 minutes can help a player burn over 500 calories. Keep in mind that these numbers will vary from player to player as it relates to their activity on the court. So, if you want to reap the full benefits of exercise, try to get enough exercise.
8. Badminton
Badminton is a racket sport that can be played by two players (singles) or four players (doubles). Players score points by hitting a shuttlecock with their rackets so that it flies over the net and lands in the opponent’s half of the court. The serve is only over when the shuttlecock has hit the ground and the shuttlecock can only be hit once by each side before it goes over the net. The shuttlecock does not bounce and is played in the air, so the game requires quick reflexes and a strong physique. Playing badminton is also a way to improve health and relieve stress.
Badminton is a sport played on a net using a racket and a shuttlecock with hitting techniques that vary from relatively slow to fast and deceptive movements. Badminton is a sport played by two players or two pairs of players on two halves of a rectangular court divided by a net in the middle. Players score points by sending the shuttlecock over the net with a racket and landing it on the opponent’s side of the court, and each side has only one touch to send the shuttlecock to the other side of the court. Today, badminton is played in all schools, in organizations and unions because it is quite easy to play and does not require too much effort.
9. Handball
Handball is not only a popular sport but also a fascinating mental and technical game that attracts millions of sports lovers around the world. The blend of agility, strength and strategy has created a special attraction for this sport. Handball not only requires the player to have solid strength to throw the ball far, but also requires precise and sharp technique to recognize the right moment to throw the ball. High concentration, quick reflexes and the ability to read the situation are indispensable factors in this sport.
Handball is not only loved at the individual level but also as a team sport with coordination and tactical planning among team members. This creates not only the joy of playing the sport but also builds team spirit, cohesion and better performance through support and coordination in each match. With its competitive and stimulating nature, handball is not only a sport but also a way to build health, skills and leadership. The diversity in the way of playing from street sports versions to professional competitions also makes handball an interesting and popular choice for everyone from children to adults.
10. Rugby
Rugby – an attractive, attractive and popular sport around the world. This is not just a game, but also an art full of technique, strength and constant fighting. Rugby is a game that is usually played on a large grass field, with two teams competing against each other to pass the ball across the middle and into the opponent’s free zone. With the goal of passing the ball over the end line or into the opponent’s net, each team needs to coordinate closely, have flexible tactics and good individual skills to achieve points.
Not only is it a strong physical game, rugby also requires tactical intelligence, flexibility and speed. Players must be able to observe, react quickly and coordinate well with teammates to overcome the opponent’s defense. In particular, rugby not only attracts players but also has great appeal to the audience. The tension, thrill in each tackle and throw leads to dramatic and unpredictable moments. With a large fan community around the world, rugby has become a symbol of solidarity, effort and the relentless fighting spirit of people. This sport is not only a passion but also a place to create memorable memories and demonstrate strong team spirit.
In Conclusion
Here is a list of the most popular sports in the world, each of which offers unique experiences and different health benefits. Choose a suitable sport for yourself, not only to help you integrate into the global sports community but also to improve your physical and mental health. I hope you always maintain the habit of exercising to improve your health and achieve new successes in life!
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