Sports & Recreation

Physical contests and recreational games have long played a part in human society. In both team and solo sports, the human body has been pushed to its limits in the name of improving athletic performance and in order to break record upon record. The ancient Olympic Games are an early example of the contests in which humans have engaged to showcase physical prowess. In modern times, sports and games have evolved into a lucrative and competitive industry, while other leisure activities, such as card and video games, can be competitive or just serve as a way to unwind or socialize.

Study a side-view demonstration of a track-and-field athlete throwing a javelin

Study a side-view demonstration of a track-and-field athlete throwing a javelin

See the Fort Wayne Daisies and the Racine Belles train for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League

See the Fort Wayne Daisies and the Racine Belles train for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League

View a “white-collar boxing” match, London, form of amateur boxing featuring men and women fighters from white-collar professions

View a “white-collar boxing” match, London, form of amateur boxing featuring men and women fighters from white-collar professions

Learn about the history of the medieval sport of jousting

Learn about the history of the medieval sport of jousting

Examine how the athlete takes a running jump to attain maximum height over the vertical crossbar

Examine how the athlete takes a running jump to attain maximum height over the vertical crossbar

Hear about the first Olympic gold medal winner in women's boxing Nicola Adams

Hear about the first Olympic gold medal winner in women's boxing Nicola Adams

Study how to execute a downward graze to impart backspin with a table tennis backhand chop

Study how to execute a downward graze to impart backspin with a table tennis backhand chop

Discover the history of capoeira, a traditional Brazilian martial art involving drumming, singing, fighting, and dancing

Discover the history of capoeira, a traditional Brazilian martial art involving drumming, singing, fighting, and dancing

Discover how a football helmet limits the forces the brain experiences

Discover how a football helmet limits the forces the brain experiences

See how curling is played

See how curling is played

Learn about the history of badminton and how to play the sport

Learn about the history of badminton and how to play the sport

Watch the highlights of the 1955 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Watch the highlights of the 1955 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

View the picturesque landscape of New Zealand's Southern Alps in a hot-air balloon

View the picturesque landscape of New Zealand's Southern Alps in a hot-air balloon

Observe a horse and its rider perform a canter comprising a three-beat gait with a moment of suspension

Observe a horse and its rider perform a canter comprising a three-beat gait with a moment of suspension

Learn about the life and career of Muhammad Ali

Learn about the life and career of Muhammad Ali

Observe the open racket face required to execute a forehand chop in table tennis

Observe the open racket face required to execute a forehand chop in table tennis

Learn about the rules of racewalking with a comparison with other sports

Learn about the rules of racewalking with a comparison with other sports

Examine the track-and-field athlete's long jump form from side and head-on angles

Examine the track-and-field athlete's long jump form from side and head-on angles

Study the shot-put technique of a track-and-field athlete spinning and heaving a metal ball from the shoulder

Study the shot-put technique of a track-and-field athlete spinning and heaving a metal ball from the shoulder

Learn about an amateur soccer tournament of Manus, Brazil - the Peladão

Learn about an amateur soccer tournament of Manus, Brazil - the Peladão

Observe a side-view animation of hammer throw

Observe a side-view animation of hammer throw

Learn how to row a quad

Learn how to row a quad

Examine the coordination between the tennis athlete's hips and shoulders to execute a two-handed backhand

Examine the coordination between the tennis athlete's hips and shoulders to execute a two-handed backhand

Learn how to play rugby

Learn how to play rugby

Analyze how the athlete garners momentum for maximum distance in the triple jump

Analyze how the athlete garners momentum for maximum distance in the triple jump

Study the psychomotor coordination required to execute a successful table tennis serve

Study the psychomotor coordination required to execute a successful table tennis serve

See how the diver must jump back before performing somersaults toward the board in an inward somersault dive

See how the diver must jump back before performing somersaults toward the board in an inward somersault dive

Study the technique required to perform hop, step, and jump and compare the event with the long jump

Study the technique required to perform hop, step, and jump and compare the event with the long jump

Study the continuous back-and-forth of the rower's seat the two-person sweep event

Study the continuous back-and-forth of the rower's seat the two-person sweep event

Watch the Northwestern University women's synchronized skating team practicing

Watch the Northwestern University women's synchronized skating team practicing

See horse racing at Naadam festival in Mongolia

See horse racing at Naadam festival in Mongolia

View and learn about the life and achievements of Jackie Robinson

View and learn about the life and achievements of Jackie Robinson

Learn about skiing and kite skiing in Norway

Learn about skiing and kite skiing in Norway

Observe a volleyball defender jumping with both hands extended to block a presumed attacker's volley

Observe a volleyball defender jumping with both hands extended to block a presumed attacker's volley

Learn about the sport of freeskiing

Learn about the sport of freeskiing

Note that a diver rotates forward one-half or more turns before hitting the water in a forward dive

Note that a diver rotates forward one-half or more turns before hitting the water in a forward dive

Observe a horse and its rider perform a full pirouette with the horse pivoting on the inside hind foot

Observe a horse and its rider perform a full pirouette with the horse pivoting on the inside hind foot

Know about the rules and tricks of playing beach volleyball

Know about the rules and tricks of playing beach volleyball

See how a diver completes somersaults spinning backward before entering the tuck position and then the water

See how a diver completes somersaults spinning backward before entering the tuck position and then the water

Observe an animation of a gymnast performing the women's vault gymnastics exercise

Observe an animation of a gymnast performing the women's vault gymnastics exercise

Watch a track-and-field athlete jump for horizontal distance in the broad jump

Watch a track-and-field athlete jump for horizontal distance in the broad jump

Learn how jigsaw puzzles are made

Learn how jigsaw puzzles are made

Study how a boxer delivers an uppercut with a twist of the hips and lead foot in the direction of the blow

Study how a boxer delivers an uppercut with a twist of the hips and lead foot in the direction of the blow

Examine the back dive straight form with the diver's body facing away from the board during the dive

Examine the back dive straight form with the diver's body facing away from the board during the dive

Observe how a hook punch's force is generated mostly from the hips while the elbow remains bent

Observe how a hook punch's force is generated mostly from the hips while the elbow remains bent

See highlights of gridiron football games from October 27, 1956

See highlights of gridiron football games from October 27, 1956

Learn about the rules of playing team handball

Learn about the rules of playing team handball

Know how the stunning coastline of T'ai-tung county in Taiwan is an ideal destination for the open surfing competition

Know how the stunning coastline of T'ai-tung county in Taiwan is an ideal destination for the open surfing competition

Study the horse's fastest natural gait and observe the racing gallop's four-beat pace

Study the horse's fastest natural gait and observe the racing gallop's four-beat pace

Know about the relation of symmetry to the game of gridiron football - translational and rotational symmetry, symmetry in time, and symmetry in space

Know about the relation of symmetry to the game of gridiron football - translational and rotational symmetry, symmetry in time, and symmetry in space

Study the elbows-out, hands-over-head form of the volleyball athlete performing a set pass

Study the elbows-out, hands-over-head form of the volleyball athlete performing a set pass

Discover the traditional practice of falconry in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Discover the traditional practice of falconry in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Observe the front and side glide stride technique of a speed skater

Observe the front and side glide stride technique of a speed skater

Study the coordination, timing, speed, and gymnastic ability required by a pole-vaulter

Study the coordination, timing, speed, and gymnastic ability required by a pole-vaulter

Watch a mixed martial arts tournament in London

Watch a mixed martial arts tournament in London

Watch how a boxer delivers an explosive jab punch from a distance with the arm above the lead foot

Watch how a boxer delivers an explosive jab punch from a distance with the arm above the lead foot

Experience the thrilling white-water river rafting near Queenstown, New Zealand

Experience the thrilling white-water river rafting near Queenstown, New Zealand

View talks on racing in America and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

View talks on racing in America and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

Learn about Babe Didrikson Zaharias, one of America's greatest multisports stars

Learn about Babe Didrikson Zaharias, one of America's greatest multisports stars

Discover the sizable gap between the Great One's career-point record and Jaromir Jagr's second-place totals

Discover the sizable gap between the Great One's career-point record and Jaromir Jagr's second-place totals

Observe a demonstration of dressage's high-stepping piaffe trot executed with prolonged suspension

Observe a demonstration of dressage's high-stepping piaffe trot executed with prolonged suspension

Experience wakeboarding on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia

Experience wakeboarding on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia

Observe a diver fall forward from the handstand position into a pike before entering the water headfirst

Observe a diver fall forward from the handstand position into a pike before entering the water headfirst

Observe a top-view animation of hammer throw

Observe a top-view animation of hammer throw

See a karate training session

See a karate training session

Study the track-and-field athlete's running jump method to achieve maximum height over the crossbar

Study the track-and-field athlete's running jump method to achieve maximum height over the crossbar

Explore the spectacular Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, off the coast of Western Australia by scuba diving and snorkeling

Explore the spectacular Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, off the coast of Western Australia by scuba diving and snorkeling

Notice how the swimmer maintains a steady flutter kick during the freestyle stroke

Notice how the swimmer maintains a steady flutter kick during the freestyle stroke

Observe the fundamentals of cross-country skiing's freestyle marathon skate technique head on and from the side

Observe the fundamentals of cross-country skiing's freestyle marathon skate technique head on and from the side

See a comparative study of four Olympic hurling objects - the hammer, the javelin, the discus, and the shot put

See a comparative study of four Olympic hurling objects - the hammer, the javelin, the discus, and the shot put

Observe the psychomotor coordination required to successfully execute a jump serve in volleyball

Observe the psychomotor coordination required to successfully execute a jump serve in volleyball

Observe how the swimmer inhales while the hands pull down and out from the water's surface

Observe how the swimmer inhales while the hands pull down and out from the water's surface

Experience the thrilling adventure of skydiving in Norway

Experience the thrilling adventure of skydiving in Norway

Know about FIFA's Football for Hope program to encourage health and education among the youth in South Africa

Know about FIFA's Football for Hope program to encourage health and education among the youth in South Africa

Explore Cooperstown and its famous National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Explore Cooperstown and its famous National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Learn how to do a backside 540 from snowboarder Torah Bright

Learn how to do a backside 540 from snowboarder Torah Bright

Learn the basics of playing ice hockey

Learn the basics of playing ice hockey

Experience the beautiful freshwater lake, the Mecklenburg Lake District, in Germany while canoeing

Experience the beautiful freshwater lake, the Mecklenburg Lake District, in Germany while canoeing

Watch how the swimmer maintains a strong flutter kick with a steady head while performing the backstroke

Watch how the swimmer maintains a strong flutter kick with a steady head while performing the backstroke

Note the windmill motion of the swimmer's arms and when to breathe during the butterfly stroke

Note the windmill motion of the swimmer's arms and when to breathe during the butterfly stroke

Observe an animation of a gymnast performing the men's vault gymnastics exercise

Observe an animation of a gymnast performing the men's vault gymnastics exercise

Observe the psychomotor coordination required to execute an explosive overhand tennis serve

Observe the psychomotor coordination required to execute an explosive overhand tennis serve

Watch the highlights of the Sugar Bowl games from January 1946

Watch the highlights of the Sugar Bowl games from January 1946

Study the psychomotor coordination required to execute a forearm pass from the basic defensive position

Study the psychomotor coordination required to execute a forearm pass from the basic defensive position

Study the rider's half-seat position as it guides the horse over a vertical fence

Study the rider's half-seat position as it guides the horse over a vertical fence

Break down cross-country skiing's classical diagonal stride that is used primarily on uphills but is also common on flats

Break down cross-country skiing's classical diagonal stride that is used primarily on uphills but is also common on flats

Observe a top-view animation of discus throw

Observe a top-view animation of discus throw

Observe a side-view animation of a sprinter hurdling on a racetrack

Observe a side-view animation of a sprinter hurdling on a racetrack

Witness the victory of Los Angeles Dodgers over Chicago White Sox in the 1959 World Series

Witness the victory of Los Angeles Dodgers over Chicago White Sox in the 1959 World Series

Learn about the importance of flexibility, body control and a sense of one's physique in wrestling other than physical strength

Learn about the importance of flexibility, body control and a sense of one's physique in wrestling other than physical strength

Break down the continuous stroke cycle of rowing's two-person sweep into four phases

Break down the continuous stroke cycle of rowing's two-person sweep into four phases

Learn about the sport of dragon boating

Learn about the sport of dragon boating

Hike through the snow trail to one of Majorca's highest peaks and discover a breathtaking panoramic view of Majorca island, Spain

Hike through the snow trail to one of Majorca's highest peaks and discover a breathtaking panoramic view of Majorca island, Spain

Observe the athletic coordination and flexibility required of a volleyball player to perform a defensive dig

Observe the athletic coordination and flexibility required of a volleyball player to perform a defensive dig

Examine how the swimmer utilizes momentum gained from pushing off the wall before resuming the stroke

Examine how the swimmer utilizes momentum gained from pushing off the wall before resuming the stroke

Observe a side-view animation of discus throw

Observe a side-view animation of discus throw

Learn from a side view of an athlete's track-and-field shot put technique

Learn from a side view of an athlete's track-and-field shot put technique

Take an underwater trip with a professional diver, Frederic Buyle and learn the techniques for skin diving

Take an underwater trip with a professional diver, Frederic Buyle and learn the techniques for skin diving

Notice how the table tennis player drives through the shot to achieve spin over speed

Notice how the table tennis player drives through the shot to achieve spin over speed

Experience extreme paragliding with Mike Küng from Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze

Experience extreme paragliding with Mike Küng from Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze

Experience the thrill of ice climbing at Zugspitze mountain, Germany

Experience the thrill of ice climbing at Zugspitze mountain, Germany

Watch and learn the basics of rugby

Watch and learn the basics of rugby

View a demonstration to understand the technology behind the game “Pokémon GO”

View a demonstration to understand the technology behind the game “Pokémon GO”

Study how the table tennis player imparts topspin by brushing the ball's upper half with a closed racket face

Study how the table tennis player imparts topspin by brushing the ball's upper half with a closed racket face

Learn about the martial art of karate

Learn about the martial art of karate

Learn how to fence with Anja Fichtel, an Olympic Gold Medalist

Learn how to fence with Anja Fichtel, an Olympic Gold Medalist

Impart topspin with a low-to-high sweeping forehand to keep the opponent behind the baseline

Impart topspin with a low-to-high sweeping forehand to keep the opponent behind the baseline

Experience bungee jumping in New Zealand

Experience bungee jumping in New Zealand

Witness the victory of the New York Giants over the Green Bay Packers, November 19, 1944

Witness the victory of the New York Giants over the Green Bay Packers, November 19, 1944

See how the horse's walk keeps a marching pace with its feet following a four-time beat

See how the horse's walk keeps a marching pace with its feet following a four-time beat

Hear a discussion on a report dealing with the boom in the e-sports industry

Hear a discussion on a report dealing with the boom in the e-sports industry

Witness a fencer's foil bout met with a parry and quick return thrust from the opponent

Witness a fencer's foil bout met with a parry and quick return thrust from the opponent

Learning the basics of surfing

Learning the basics of surfing

Meet Australia's table tennis player Melissa Tapper and find out how she trains for the Paralympics

Meet Australia's table tennis player Melissa Tapper and find out how she trains for the Paralympics

Uncover the history and rules of the sports of cricket

Uncover the history and rules of the sports of cricket