Everybody knows about baseball, football, and basketball, but what if you want something that's a little outside of the norm?
Whether you're already a sports lover or are just looking for something new to try out, there are dozens of unique sports played around the world.
If you've always wanted to be an athlete but aren't sure where to begin, why not try out one of these ideas?
Synchronized Swimming
If you have access to inground swimming pools in Virginia and love to be in and under the water, consider synchronized swimming.
Also referred to as water ballet, the routines require the athleticism of swimming and diving as well as the ability to hold your breath for long periods of time. If you're already a strong swimmer but would like to work on breath control, this is an excellent way to do it.
There are several ways to do this. If you want to swim alone, you can practice making your own routines synchronized to some of your favorite songs.
If you prefer to swim with other people, you can join a duo, a trio, or even an entire team of synchronized swimmers. This sport is known to help people develop endurance, flexibility, and strength as well.
Kabaddi
Think of Kabaddi, which is the national sport of Bangladesh, as a giant game of really intense tag. The contact sport has been popular in Asia since the 20th century and is picking up fans in the United States as well.
Each team has an offensive player, known as the raider, try to get into the opposing team's defensive side and tag as many of its team members as possible. The raider must also be able to return to their own team's side safely.
If you always loved tag as a kid and don't mind playing a contact sport, Kabaddi is probably right up your alley.
Sepak Takraw
A fairly new sport, sepak takraw is what happens when volleyball and soccer have a baby together. Like volleyball, the sport involves two teams that are separated by a net.
The teams must try to get the ball onto the other side and have it hit the ground to score points. This is where the soccer part comes in.
Volleyball relies on the hands, but sepak takraw prevents using the hands and arms. Instead, team members try to "volley" the ball over the net by using their feet, legs, and even their heads.
Yukigassen
You'll want to get your salt before a workout in to keep yourself hydrated and improve your blood flow before trying your hand at yukigassen. Think childhood snowball fight meets those terrifying rounds of dodgeball in the school gym.
Yukigassen, which was created in Japan in 1989, includes teams of seven people. Each team receives 90 snowballs and works to throw them at opposing teams (there's the dodgeball part).
When each team has used all its snowballs, the team with the most members still standing wins. It's made harder by including shields and obstacles that leave you thinking on your feet.
If you live somewhere that gets snow, you can try this game with fewer members on the team in your own neighborhood.
Underwater Hockey
If you love hockey and you love the water, you'll be intrigued by underwater hockey. The game is played much like traditional games of hockey, except for that whole part where you're underwater in a pool instead.
While you're trying your best to protect your goal with your teammates, you'll also need to ensure that you have excellent breath control.
The difference is that there are only six participants for each team. Additionally, because of that whole "needing to breathe" thing, there are only two periods of about 10 minutes each.
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From America to Asia and everywhere in between, there are dozens if not hundreds of unique sports that you've probably never heard of.
Try one of the ones mentioned above or do your own research until you find something that makes you want to play.
