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These sports can serve as a fun way to integrate science into your
curriculum. Try introducing the concepts of invasion games
by teaching foot tennis, or the idea of friction with snow snakes!
Everyone has heard of basketball, baseball, and tennis, but what
about snow-snake or kite-fighting? These are two of the many exotic
sports that are played around the world. Try one!
Foot Tennis
In Malaysia, this game is often played between two teams of two
players each. A net is stretched at no particular height across
the middle of a playing area, and a wicker ball about the size of
a soccer ball is used. Players try to pass the ball back and forth
over the net using only their feet, knees, and thighs. Each time
the ball drops, the other team gets a point.
Kite-Fighting
Kite-fighting is a highly competitive sport played in India, Thailand,
and South America. Each player hopes to get his or her kite to fly
highest. The players try to cut their opponents' kite strings with
sharp objects imbedded in their kites. The kite that flies highest
and longest wins.
Octopush
This underwater hockey game was first played in South Africa in
the 1960s. The players wear skin-diving equipment, such as masks,
flippers, and snorkels, in a swimming pool. With miniature hockey
sticks and an ice hockey puck, the players follow all the rules
of ice hockey—on the floor of the pool.
Snow-Snake
This age-old Native American sport is still played today. The “snake”
is a polished wooden rod whose front end is shaped like a snake's
head. It slides at speeds of up to 100 mph down a long, curved trail
in the snow. Each team gets four chances to throw the snake. The
team whose snake goes the farthest wins.
Click here
to check it out.
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