What is the Difference Between Games and Sports

The main difference between games and sports is that games involve both mental and physical activities while sports mainly involve physical activities.

A game is an activity involving skill, knowledge, or luck, in which you follow a set of rules and try to win against an opponent. Sports, on the other hand, refer to an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or a team competes against others. Although these words are sometimes interchangeable, there is a distinct difference between games and sports.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Games
     – Definition, Features, Examples
2. What are Sports
     – Definition, Features, Examples 
3. Similarities Between Games and Sports
      – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Games and Sports
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Games, Sports

What are Games

A game is an activity generally involving skill, knowledge, or luck, in which you follow a set of rules and try to win against an opponent. We usually play games for fun or entertainment, but they can also serve an educational function. All in all, a set of rules, a goal, and competition are the three basic components of games. Generally, games involve both mental and physical stimulation.

Some games can be played alone; for example, solitaire and video games. Some are played between two individuals or two teams. Games can have a variety of forms. Board games like chess, Monopoly, and Ludo, card games like poker and bridge, guessing games, lawn games, video games etc. are some examples. Various games may require various skills and talents. They also help to develop practical skills.

Some Examples of Games

• Chess
• Tag
• Hopscotch
• Mahjong
• Dominoes
• Jenga
• Scrabble
• Go
• Poker

Note that game can also refer to a specific instance of a sporting event; for example, the game between Manchester United and Liverpool.

What are Sports

Sports are athletic activities that involve some degree of competition. It can be formally defined as “usually competitive physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical ability and skills while providing entertainment to participants, and in some cases, spectators.” Sports also have a set of rules, which ensures fair competition. Various physical activities, including cricket, baseball, soccer, running, cycling, rock climbing, swimming, diving, football, field hockey, race car driving, kayaking, and weight lifting, fall under the category of sports. As you can see from these examples, sports can include teams as well as individual competitors. Moreover, sports are usually outdoor activities.

Sports make people fit and keep them healthy. It also teaches people teamwork, and how to accept defeat. Therefore, it provides all-round development, physically, mentally and emotionally. This is why children are usually encouraged to engage in sports from a young age.

Sports is also a source of entertainment for spectators. Some sports like football draws large crowds to stadiums and reach a wider audience through broadcasting.

Similarities Between Games and Sports   

• Both games and sports have a set of rules, which ensure fair competition.
• They may involve teams or individual competitors.      
• People play games and sports for recreation and amusement, but they also gain various skills and knowledge through games and sports.

Difference Between Games and Sports        

Definition

A game is an activity typically involving skill, knowledge, or luck, in which you follow fixed rules and try to win against an opponent. Sports, on the other hand, refer to an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or a team competes against others.

Type of Activities

While games involve both mental activities and physical activities, sports mainly involve physical activities.

Examples

Chess, Ludo, solitaire, tag, hide and seek, and hopscotch are some examples of games while baseball, soccer, running, cycling, rock climbing, rugby, and cricket are some examples of sports.

Location

Games are mostly played indoors while sports are played outdoors.

Chance

Games usually involve chance, especially board games and card games, while most sports do not involve chance.

Conclusion

A game is an activity typically involving skill, knowledge, or luck, in which you follow a set of rules and try to win against an opponent. Sports, on the other hand, refer to an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or a team competes against others. The main difference between games and sports is that games involve both mental and physical activities while sports involve physical activities.

Reference:

1. “Sports.” ScienceDaily, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Man Play Game Free Photo” (CC0) via Needpix
2. “1557777” (CC0) via Pxhere