Basketball, baseball, and badminton are the most common sports that pop up in anyone’s mind when exploring the sports starting from the letter B. However, a long list of sports begins with the letter B beside the forenamed ones. Moreover, many beach sports starting from B make the summer season more fun and exciting.
This article covers all the sports beginning with the letter B, which is a significant part of the Olympics games. Read along to discover some unique sports you may not have heard of.
Let’s dive in.
Contents
Olympic Sports Beginning with B
1. Badminton
The first sport on our list is the infamous racket sport, badminton. It was officially included in the Summer Olympics in 1992, and the Badminton World Federation governs it.
Badminton is played by hitting the shuttlecock across the net with rackets. This set can be played in both outdoor and indoor settings.
Also, it can be played in doubles (with two players on each side) and singles (with one player on each side). Badminton players utilize different stroke techniques to score, such as serves, clears, smashes, drives, and drops.
Points are scored by hitting the shuttlecock using the racket and landing it on the opposite end of the court.
History
Badminton was first played in the 19th century, and its roots can be traced back to Greece, China, and India.
It has been popular in America since 1929, after arriving from Canada.
Equipment
A racquet alongside a shuttlecock and a net is necessary for playing badminton.
2. Baseball
Baseball is a notable bat-and-ball game played by two teams, each consisting of nine players. The two teams take alternate turns for fielding and balling. The World Baseball Softball Confederation currently governs baseball.
Baseball was first played in the 18th century in England, while it came to the US in the 19th century. Baseball got its full sport status in the Olympics in 1992. However, it was expelled in 2008, and now it’s again a part of the Olympics Games since 2021.
Gameplay
On the umpire’s signal, the pitcher (a player on the fielding team) tosses the ball, and a player on the batting team tries to hit it.
The main objective for the batting team is to hit the ball into the field play, away from the opposing team’s players, and run the bases while having them advance counter-clockwise across four bases to score the runs.
On the other hand, the fielding team has to prevent the runners from moving around the bases.
Equipment:
- Glove
- Ball
- Bat
- Batting helmet
- Catcher’s helmet
3. Basketball
Next on the list of the sports beginning with the letter B is Basketball.
Basketball is a team sport involving two teams with five players per team.
It is s professionally played in an indoor rectangular court.
The highest governing body is the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). It has been part of the Summer Olympics since 1936.
Gameplay:
The main objective is to shoot the basketball through the defender’s hoop fixed at the end of each side of the court while stopping the opposing team from shooting through your basket.
Scoring:
- The scoring in basketball is divided into four categories:
- Players get 3 points for any basket made beyond the 3-point line.
- Players get 2 points for any basket made inside the 3-point line.
- Players score 1 point for free throws.
- Players can also score 4 points if they are fouled while attempting a 3-point shot.
4. Boxing
Boxing is another sport beginning with the letter B. It is a compact sport that combines striking and grappling.
The players wear protective gear like gloves, wraps, and mouthguards the two players in the ring punch for the predetermined time limit.
Boxing has existed since the early days of human history, and it was first recognized as a formal Olympic event in 688 BCE. Moreover, boxing debuted in the modern Olympics Games in 1904.
Other Sports Beginning with the Letter B
Here’s a list of some other B sports:
1. Backstroke
Backstroke, also called back crawl, is a swimming style used in competitions handled by FINA.
The swimmer implies alternating and opposite arm movements while performing flutter kicks using the legs.
It was first popularized by the swimming champion Yujiro Morningstar. Furthermore, since 1964, a 200-meter backstroke has been organized in every Summer Olympics Games.
2. Ball Hockey
Ball hockey is another team sport that is an off-ice modification of conventional ice hockey. The highest governing bodies of this sport are International Street and Ball Hockey Federation and USA Ball Hockey.
Ball hockey is played both indoors and outdoors settings, and the required equipment includes:
- Ball
- Hockey stick
- Net
Furthermore, for players’ safety, hockey gloves and helmets are mandatory.
Each team consists of five runners and a single goaltender.
The runners are assigned positions the same as in ice hockey.
The primary objective is to hit the hockey ball with the hockey stick and strike it into the opponent’s net while defending your net.
3. Belt Wrestling
Belt wrestling is an anciently recorded sport consisting of two belted players who aim to take over each other by grappling the belts.
Belt wrestling is now played in hundreds of countries today. Therefore, each has its own varying set of rules and regulations.
Two major belt wrestling styles include the classic style, where trips are not allowed and freestyle, where trips are permitted. The International Belt Wrestling Association has been the highest governing body promoting this sport internationally since 2005.
4. Bodyboarding
Next on our list of sports beginning with the letter B is bodyboarding, a water sport. In this sport, the surfer rides a body board on a wave’s crest, face, and curl.
Bodyboarding originates in the islands of the Pacific. The Polynesians used to ride on the waves lying on their paipo boards. Which later evolved into stand-up wave riding.
Furthermore, the riders wear swim fins to increase propulsion in water.
5. Baton Twirling
The last sport on the list of the sports beginning with the letter B is Baton Twirling.
Baton twirling is a sport identical to rhythmic gymnastics or color guard. In this sport, the participant manipulates a metal rod called a baton, coordinating dance moves simultaneously. Moreover, the performance is accompanied by music.
Baton twirling first originated in Western Europe and Asia.
Three international organizations are recognized as the major governing bodies of baton twirling: the World Baton Twirling Federation (WBTF), the World Twirling Association (WTA), and the Global Alliance of National Baton Twirling & Majorette Associations (NBTA).
