In the world of sports, there are the big names: tennis, basketball, football, and so on. All of these have the privilege to be Olympic sports too, mind. But beyond the stadiums and arenas where these popular games are played, there exists a rich tapestry of obscure sports that have become only a distant memory. These forgotten games once enthralled participants and spectators alike, but for various reasons, they are no longer played today.

Some of these games quite literally evolved into the games we know and love today which are now such an important part of people’s lifestyle. It is only proper that we take a moment to give them a showcase.

Jai Alai

Originating in the Basque region of Spain, Jai Alai is a game that resembles a mix of tennis and handball. Players use a cesta, a long, curved wicker basket that sorta looks like a hook, to hurl a ball against a wall as hard as they can. The goal is to make the ball bounce back in a way that confounds your opponent to score a point. Jai Alai was once a popular sport in the United States, particularly in Florida, but its decline began in the mid-20th century due to various factors.

A chief one was safety concerns (Which is understandable when you realize that the Jai Alai ball can go as fast as 190mph!) and the rise of other forms of entertainment. 

Roque

Now once upon a time this was also an Olympic sport in 1904, Roque, often described as “croquet on steroids,” on account of a much bigger mallet where you must bend down to use, is a sport that combines elements of croquet and golf. Played on a rectangular court with low walls and hoops, players use mallets to strike a ball through the hoops.

The game was most popular in the United States during the early 20th century but has since dwindled in popularity, largely due to the difficulty of finding suitable playing areas and not to mention back pains as one needs to bend down frequently to play.

Tug of War

While tug of war is not entirely extinct, it has certainly lost its place in the modern sporting landscape. Once a staple of the Olympic Games, this classic contest of strength and teamwork has faded into the background, replaced by a plethora of newer, more exciting if not less personable sports.

Nevertheless, it still holds a special place in the hearts of those who remember the intense battles and camaraderie it once fostered especially during the school playground with students vs teacher teams.

Although gone, it has attained new life as the staple and go to Office sport to foster teamwork building.

Cane Spree

Cane Spree was a bizarre and highly dangerous sport that originated in British universities in the 19th century. In this game, students would chase each other with bamboo canes, attempting to break their opponents’ canes while avoiding injury themselves. Unsurprisingly, this sport was eventually banned due to the high risk of injury, but it remains a curious footnote in the history of student life.

And yes, you guessed it, this originated a college-year class rivalry between freshmen and sophomores. Even back then college kids were hazing and committing all types of oppression on each other. Some things never change.

Competitive Rock Throwing

In the early 20th century, competitive rock throwing was a legitimate sport in the United States. Participants would gather to see who could throw a rock the farthest distance. While it may sound absurd, it was once a popular rural pastime. As communities modernized and safety concerns grew, this peculiar sport faded away. The closest to this would probably be shot put.

Rock skipping is something many people consider this the supreme sport whenever enjoying their time at a creek or their favorite pond. It always captures the awe as it is something easy to do but hard to master.

Shin Kicking

One of the earliest recorded sports was shin kicking, which emerged in England in the early 17th century. As the name implies, shin kicking involved two contestants locked together with their hands at each other’s shoulders kicking each other in the shins until one collapsed in pain. The sport was practiced at local fairs and festivals. Shin-kicking matches lasted until one player surrendered or couldn’t continue.

Underwater Hockey

Underwater hockey became popular in England in the 1950s. Players used small wooden sticks, roughly the size of an outstretched hand to push a lead puck along the bottom of a swimming pool. As you’d expect, holding your breath for extended periods was a key skill for lungs made of iron. The sport gained some international interest and is still played today, though remains obscure.

Water polo would be the one to win out and gain an Olympic sport seat, however. That would make for a better viewing since, well, it is underwater after all.

Ostrich Racing

In the late 1800s, ostrich racing gained popularity as a distinct, but brief, sport. Ostriches can sprint up to 45 miles per hour, allowing for exciting races, the races even have a rider. Events occurred at county fairs, racetracks, and circus sideshows. Betting was also part of ostrich racing’s appeal during its heyday.

However, the temperamental nature of ostriches eventually relegated this to a novelty activity. That and animal rights activist advocated for the treatment and respect of the ostriches.

Bossaball

If volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, and trampolines made the perfect group, it would be bossaball. Players try to hit a large ball over a net while incorporating acrobatics on a bouncy court. Bossaball originated in Spain in the 2000s and developed some global appeal. But it remains an oddball, one-of-a-kind sport.

Personally, I would think the trampoline part pretty nauseating but the air time can’t be denied.

Cheese Rolling

This one is probably the most infamous. One of the most bizarre discontinued sports is cheese rolling, which involves chasing a wheel of cheese down a steep hill. Every Spring in Gloucester, England, participants race down the treacherous Cooper’s Hill to catch a round of Double Gloucester cheese.

The first race took place in 1826. The painful race often results in multiple injuries. While still done today, cheese rolling is no longer officially organized as a competitive event and more like an annual event.

Obscure Sports Not Done But Seen Today

These obscure sports, while largely forgotten today, offer us a glimpse into the diversity and eccentricity of human leisure activities throughout history. While some of these sports have disappeared due to safety concerns, others simply couldn’t compete with the allure of more popular alternatives. Nevertheless, they all share a common thread of once capturing the lifestyle of those who participated in and watched them. While these obscure sports may not be played anymore to a degree, their stories continue to remind us of the ever-evolving nature of sports and entertainment.