Is Dance a Sport?

                                                 
     There has been much debate of dance being considered a sport. Outsiders would argue that dance is just a hobby. Those on the inside will state that dance is as much of a sport as gymnastics or football. Let’s define sport:  Sport /spôrt/: (noun) an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others.
     There is a genre of dance considered competitive dance. Competitions are held throughout the country, where dance studios can come and show off their talent. This is a chance to show sportsmanship and follows the same qualifications as a deemed sport such as football, basketball or baseball.
It takes hours of practice to perfect one’s craft. Teams practice for more than twenty hours a week at times in order to perfect and synchronize their movement. They exercise, run laps and condition to prepare for optimal performance.
      Another important detail to acknowledge when discussing whether or not dance is a sport is the fact that the winning team is determined by a panel of judges. Some may argue that because the teams are not facing off head to head, dance is not qualified as a sport. The Lifetime Network has a competitive show called Bring It! that showcases talented majorettes as they face off with the best of the best in majorette. It is intense and the dancers put in several hours of practice and choreography. To tell them that what they do is not a sport could be deemed as unfair.
     Let’s take gymnastics for example. Gymnastics is an extremely difficult sport, which is why it is presented along with many other sports in the Olympics. The scores of the competitors are solely determined on the scores that the panel of judges decides to give them. There is a strict set of guidelines, which the judges follow in order to determine their scores. The same rules apply at dance competitions, so why would one qualify and not the other?
     Ballet On Wheels is looking to host a few competitive events throughout this dance season. Mark your calendar for March 14, 2015 for the Dance In His Name Liturgical/Praise Dance Showcase & Competition. There is also a Bring It! style competition in the works for the fall season. Visit www.danceinhisname.org to register your praise dance/mime/step team.