Top 10 Sports You've Never Heard Of

#10: Cheese Rolling

In sports, sometimes you compete for a trophy. Sometimes you compete for bragging rights. Perhaps you just want to win to satisfy your competitive spirit. Well, in cheese rolling, you compete for a seven-to-nine-pound block of double gloucester cheese. The players in this game fling themselves into an uncomfortable and dangerous roll down a steep, bumpy hill, called Coopers Hill, near Gloucester, England. They try to capture the block of cheese, which is about a second released before the competitors. Racers tend to tumble rapidly and uncontrollably. The oldest written account of this event dates back to 1826, but some historians say it first got rolling all the way back in the 15th century.

#9: Chess Boxing

Chess is a game of the mind, where physical stature and build hold no weight. Boxing is a game of brute physicality, where opponents attempt to assert their physical dominance. In chess, you sit. In boxing, you stand. Well, if things are going well. The sport of chess boxing fuses these two games from opposite poles into one physically and mentally taxing spectacle. With 6 rounds of chess and 5 rounds of boxing, chess boxing offers several paths to victory. Knock the opponent out? Thats a win. Checkmate? That works too. The rhythm of chessboxing is peculiar. Players train to not only improve in both aspects of the game, but to be able to effectively switch their mindset between the two.

#8: Underwater Hockey

It is as it sounds. Hockey thats played underwater. Its original name is Octopush. Players utilize one-handed sticks as they attempt to guide the weighted puck across the surface of a swimming pool and into the goal. Whats really wild about this aquatic sport is that you cant use any breathing devices. You have to hold your breath underwater. Players wear masks for reduced impact and enhanced vision, fins for speed, caps for ear protection, and gloves for hand protection. While its played in many countries, many people arent familiar with underwater hockey. As you might expect, its not the easiest game to watch from a spectators perspective.

#7: Angleball

This sport consists of elements of handball and flag football. A large ball lies on each of the two poles that are set up at opposite ends of the field. Each teams objective is to advance the ball toward the opposite end by running and passing it to teammates. While there are variations of the rules, usually the ball cant hit the ground. And if a player is touched, the ball-carrier must pass or shoot within 3 seconds. A point is awarded when someone throws the ball into the larger ball, knocking it off the pole. Typically theres a circle around each pole that players cant enter. Angleball blends hand-eye coordination with throwing accuracy, shiftiness, and teamwork.

#6: Soapbox Racing

For those who appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into certain sports, soapbox racing deserves some attention. Contestants, many of whom arent expert engineers by any means, build their own vehicles that are used in the race. While there are size and weight criteria that must be met, participants are afforded the opportunity to be creative with their vehicle designs. After being pushed down a hill and into a sea of twists and turns, racers must be swift and decisive. Besides a fast finish time, racers can also be recognized for exceptional vehicle design and creativity. Soapbox racing is historically a kids game, one thats considered the greatest amateur racing event in the world.

#5: Yukigassen

Snowball fight! In this Japanese sport, 2 teams of 7 players launch perfectly shaped snowballs at each other while trying to capture the other teams flag. Helmets and face shields are used as protection. While there are several tournaments around the world, snow ball fighting is still viewed by many as merely a winter activity for kids. But yukigassen shows that pummeling people with balls of snow can be a true competitive sport. This game gives you the opportunity to put on a Buddy-the-elf-like performance. Although, lets be real. We may never see that type of greatness again. But one can dream.

#4: Sepak Takraw

Sepak takraw combines soccer and volleyball in what makes for a compelling spectacle like no other. This 3-a-side game has been around since the 15th century and is mainly played in Asia. The court, like in volleyball, is divided by a net. However, players dont use their hands, except for setting up their teammates to serve. In gameplay, players use their feet, knees, shoulders, chest, and head. Acrobatics, flexibility, and cat-like reflexes are essential in sepak takraw. When the balls laser-beamed over the net and into the opponents territory, that team must then send it back over in 3 or fewer touches, without letting it hit the ground. Its an exhilarating sport of many oohs and ahs.

#3: Footgolf

Whether you call it football or soccer, its the most popular sport in the world. And footgolf incorporates the beautiful game in a distinctive way, by blending it with another widely popular sport: golf. Footgolf involves using the foot to kick a soccer ball into an enlarged golf hole. Its a game of precision, accuracy, and technique. Like golf, each hole has a par. Footgolf is frequently played on normal golf courses. Of course you dont need clubs or a caddy though. So Happy Gilmore would need to find another way to let his anger out. With a myriad of courses throughout the US and UK, footgolf could very well continue to blossom.

#2: Bossaball

With an inflatable court, two trampolines, a volleyball-like net, and a referee whos also a DJ, bossaball is the boss of positive vibes. Elements of soccer, volleyball, and gymnastics are all present in this sport. Each team has four players. The attacker stands on the trampoline. The other three players position themselves on the surrounding inflatables. After the serve over the net, the other team must return it in five or fewer touches. All body parts are in play, but there must be at least one non-hand touch, or soccer-style touch, every possession. While players are bouncing around the court, good tunes are playing, courtesy of a samba ref who oversees the game. The energy of bossaball is just different.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Bicycle Polo

Because of Its Popularity in Great Britain & France in the 1930s

Zorbing

Because It Involves Tumbling Around Inside a Transparent Inflatable Bubble

Extreme Ironing

Because It Combines a Mundane Indoor Activity With the Great Outdoors

Ferret-Legging

Because Competitors Put Live Ferrets Down Their Pants

#1: Bo-taoshi

Imagine a sport with a lot of players. Did you think of a sport with 150 players on each side? Yes, 150! Well, thats Bo-toashi, a classic Japanese game. Each team has 75 attackers and 75 defenders. There are two 10-to-16-foot poles. The objective is to tilt the other teams pole to a 30-degree angle while protecting your teams pole. The clock is set to either 90 seconds or two minutes. If neither team achieves the requisite tilt within that period, the game starts over. Although there are various defensive and offensive positions and roles, bo-taoshi is super chaotic and physical. Players charge, fling themselves toward the poles, and jump on top of each other. The sheer magnitude and mayhem of this sport is mind-boggling.

Which of these sports would you like to try? Let us know in the comments!