It’s natural to go through phases where you’re obsession for sports ebbs a little. Whether you’ve been unable to play a game yourself for a while, your team is on a losing streak, or you’ve just lost interest, you might find yourself feeling like you’re faking your interest. If you’re missing your old sports-loving self, try these games to fall in love with the sport again.
The Long Toss
Go out and have a catch. Take a friend, get a ball, and throw it to each other at different distances. This might means dusting off your catcher’s mitt and going to the park with a buddy, or kicking a ball back and forth. Start a few feet from each other, and as you start to loosen up, get further apart. A football, a baseball, or a rugby ball to throw or kick and forth all work. You’ll be back to hunting for British and Irish Lions tour news in no time.
Beach Games
There’s nothing like the physical exhaustion that comes after a good game of football on the beach. Keep things simple. Mark out a space on the beach and get plating. Running on sand is a rare, but effective, form of cross-training. It will get you more tired than a long run or a gym session.
Pool Hoops
People can get very particular about the rules of pool basketball. Whatever the rules, work to make the game feel like a battle. Trying to stop your opponent from backing you down in the water can feel like pushing a blocking sled. Unless you’re sparring or into CrossFit, it’s a type of physical activity that you can’t get doing much else. Great for cross-training and sparking your interest.
King Of The Court
This one is a bit of a throwback for all former players of racquet sports. One person holds one side of the court, while the rest of the group lines up on the other side. You need to win three points in a row to dethrone the ‘king’, running back and forth if there’s a switch. You will quickly realize that this isn’t a game just for youth tennis clinics.
Classic Pickup
Try to play old-school basketball outside sometimes. There’s nothing like a classic pickup on a local blacktop. Keep an eye out for local outdoor courts with decent hoops. Finding enough people for a full run can be daunting, but all you need is three people for a good run.
Even it has been a while since you played a sport, now could be the time to reintroduce yourself to it. A sport doesn’t need to be instead of your regular exercise routine. That’s not the point here. Play a sport because you want to, because you enjoy it, and because you find it fun to do. If you can recapture that feeling, you might realize why you started doing all this in the first place. Even though it’s been a while, you could be surprised by how fast the love for the game comes back.