So, What are Sports?

Though it's not exactly common, the debate between what is and isn't a sport can become rather heated. I personally think that if an activity is competitive and requires a great deal of physical effort, it should be considered a sport.

When people think of sports they typically think of football, soccer, hockey, baseball, and so on, as sports. But what about other activities? A lot of people say that cheerleading, dance, and especially color guard and marching band are not sports. Yet, they require just as much work -if not, more- as football or baseball.

I've seen days where my brother has come back from cheerleading with like half a brain and no energy. I've never saw him like that after a football practice -when he was still on the team. Having to lift up girls while also being peppy, correct, and focused, all in 8 minutes is pretty hard from what I see.

I have friends in dance who have 2 minutes to run around the school. They are working their butts off at a high speed paste for about a 2 minute performance. Their coach isn't easily on them either. So many girls quit after the first practice. A lot of them couldn't stand the constant effort but the ones who did work REALLY hard.

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I also have a few friends in color guard; on the first day of camp, they were crying because of all the pain they had to endure. Then they have to toss, catch, twirl, and spin with flags, batons, poles, sabers, and (the deadly painful) rifles. They are doing all of this while smiling and keeping their equipment from nailing a themselves, judge, or marching band member in the head. Trust me, catching these are not fun either...I TAPPED myself in the face with a rifle Tuesday AND my face STILL hurts.

Then we have marching band...A lot of people fail to consider how much energy, time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears we put into our 10 minute shows. There are sets where I'm dashing across the field...backwards. I have to make sure I hit the right spot while keeping the proper body position ALL WHILE PLAYING. I've lost so much weight from one season; my cavs are like perfect now also. If you think that marching band isn't a sport because we play music, you should really evaluate it because playing music doesn't take away from the fact that it should be a sport.

Maybe I haven't convinced you yet but you have to at least call DCI, Drum Corps International, and sporting league. Some people would said, "All that is is marching band!!" but it's WAAAAAAAAY harder than marching band.  This is my last argument on the subject of what is and isn't a sport. Please just consider DCI to be a sporting league, if anything. People  work their butt off training themselves for the most painful and wonderful summer ever. Here's a video of the best corps on the surface of the planet -and possible universe-, The Cavaliers, working at a practice and a man measuring how much their tenor player puts effort into his marching:

Yes, my opinion may be a little biased because I am in marching band and because my brother is a cheerleader but give me a little leeway. I have to have something going for me, right? Okay. I'm done. So until next time, stay band nerdy!

*Your Local Band Nerd had signed off*