I coach a high school colorguard and was IN a high school colorguard, which means that for the past eleven years I've been to at least four or five high school football games a year. Sometimes significantly more. I care so little about football that I actually didn't figure out what was going on in the game until two years ago. It all suddenly came together and BAM! I understood what downs were! And I...still didn't care.
I say this not to alienate those of you that LIKE football-- it's a perfectly good sport and if it makes you happy, football-it-up whenever you want. But I do find it a little sad sometimes that sports like football and basketball get all the attention. There are some other sports out there that require just as much athleticism, skill, and practice, yet are either entirely misunderstood or totally hidden from the mainstream world. So today, I'm going to show you videos of three (there are way, way more than three under-recognized sports), in the hopes that you'll understand how totally kickass they are and become a fan yourself.
1) Winterguard
Ok, ok, I'm biased because I coach this, I know. But nonetheless. Winterguard usually practice as much (or more) than their high school football counterparts with usually zero support from the school (no one is throwing us any pep rallys). They get hit in the face-- without a handy helmet-- and have to have precision, grace, and strength that would make any QB blush. Yet there is NO recognition from schools, administration, or the general public; if you're not ON a winterguard, you've probably never even seen one perform.
This is an independent--ie, college/adult level show:
This is a high school level show I adore:
2) Baton twirling
If you happen to follow me on twitter, I posted a link yesterday about some boys in Japan that think they're awesome for "pen spinning." Look, boys, I hate to break it to you, but girls have been doing that in sparkly outfits for decades. And they can do it a zillion times better than you. No offense.
3) Team rhythmic gymnastics
I do not understand how they do these things. I simply do not.
Bonus videos on the above sports, if you're cool:
My favorite winterguard show. Ever.
Winterguard WITH baton
Winterguard WITH...mattresses
It's 1989. And this little baton twirling girl is here to school you.
Rhythmic gymnastics training
Italian Rhythmic team 2004
Rhythmics in the 2008 Beijing Olympics