Name Your Sport: A 30-Question Quiz and a Guide to Finding Your Sport

"Name your sport" works two ways. It is a classic quiz game, where players read a clue and name the sport, and it is a question many people ask themselves when they want to get active: which sport is really mine? This page covers both. Start with the quiz, then use the guide to find a sport that fits you.

Part 1: Name the sport quiz

Read each clue and name the sport. Answers are at the end of each section, so cover them up if you want a challenge.

Easy

1. Players try to score a "touchdown" worth six points.
2. A "slam dunk" is one of its most exciting plays.
3. Its championship is called the World Series.
4. Players use a puck and the Stanley Cup is the prize.
5. Scores go "15, 30, 40, game."
6. A "hole in one" is the dream shot.
7. The ball is "spiked" over a net, and teams usually get three touches.
8. Its World Cup is the most watched sporting event on Earth.
9. Athletes race in lanes using freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.
10. A perfect game means 12 strikes in a row.

Answers: 1. American football, 2. basketball, 3. baseball, 4. ice hockey, 5. tennis, 6. golf, 7. volleyball, 8. soccer, 9. swimming, 10. bowling.

Medium

11. Players sweep the ice in front of a sliding granite stone.
12. A "shuttlecock" is hit over a high net.
13. Its Grand Tours include races in France, Italy and Spain.
14. Competitors fight with a foil, épée or sabre.
15. This sport combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.
16. A "googly" and a "wicket" are part of this bat-and-ball game.
17. The "sweet science."
18. Played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes, often on a converted tennis court.
19. Teams of seven in a pool try to throw the ball into the opponent's goal.
20. Its most famous race is held every May in Indianapolis.

Answers: 11. curling, 12. badminton, 13. road cycling, 14. fencing, 15. biathlon, 16. cricket, 17. boxing, 18. pickleball, 19. water polo, 20. IndyCar racing.

Expert

21. Played on an ice field the size of a soccer pitch with a small orange ball.
22. Its players use a "cesta," a curved wicker basket, to hurl the ball against a wall.
23. Trampolines, an inflatable court and a volleyball-style net.
24. Teams of two bounce a small ball off a round, trampoline-like net.
25. Thailand's national sport, "the art of eight limbs."
26. Its players use a long-handled stick with a net called a "crosse."
27. Competitors lie face down on a sled and race head-first down an icy track.
28. An ancient Irish field game played with a wooden stick called a hurley and a small ball called a sliotar.
29. Played on a table resembling a curved ping-pong table, using a soccer ball.
30. A five-event sport including fencing, swimming, riding (or obstacle course) and a combined run and shoot.

Answers: 21. bandy, 22. jai alai (Basque pelota), 23. bossaball, 24. roundnet (Spikeball), 25. Muay Thai, 26. lacrosse, 27. skeleton, 28. hurling, 29. teqball, 30. modern pentathlon.

How did you score?

Score	Rating
0–10	Rookie: you know the basics
11–20	Starter: a solid sports fan
21–27	All-Star: impressive range
28–30	Hall of Famer: a true sports encyclopedia

Part 2: How to name your own sport

If you are looking for a sport to play, the best choice depends on your personality, goals, schedule and budget. Ask yourself these questions:

Do you prefer a team or going solo?

If you enjoy shared goals and social time, try team sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball or ultimate frisbee. If you like setting your own schedule and measuring yourself against your own records, running, swimming, cycling, climbing or golf may suit you better.

Do you like contact?

Some people love physical battles, while others prefer to avoid them. Combat sports, rugby and football are full-contact. Tennis, badminton, swimming and running involve no contact at all.

What is your goal?

Goal	Good choices
Cardio fitness	Running, cycling, swimming, soccer, rowing
Strength	Weightlifting, climbing, wrestling, rowing
Stress relief	Hiking, swimming, yoga, golf
Meeting people	Pickleball, rec leagues, running clubs, volleyball
Competition	Tennis, martial arts, track, team leagues
Low impact	Swimming, cycling, pickleball, rowing

How much time and money do you have?

Running needs only shoes. Pickleball and basketball are cheap and quick to start. Golf, skiing, hockey and equestrian sports cost more in equipment, fees and travel. Be realistic about how many hours a week you can commit.

Try before you commit

Many communities offer beginner clinics, drop-in sessions and free trial classes. Try two or three sports for a few weeks each before buying expensive equipment. The sport you enjoy most is the one you will stick with.

For more ideas, see new popular sports, sports that start with B and the hardest sports in the world.