Should Dance Be Considered A Sport?

Kenize Mayer

According to dictionary.com the definition of dance is “to move one’s feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of steps, especially to the accompaniment of music.” When researching dance, coming across debate.org and the fact that 86% of people think dance is a sport while 14% believe it is not a sport. Although some people laugh when you ask if dance is considered a sport, there are valid reasons as to why they believe that dance is a sport. 

Some people believe that dance is not a sport, and it is just an art. I asked a few people and they had different answers. From Olivia VanArk, a senior at SPASH, “ I would 100% consider dance a sport because it takes physical activity, strength and there is a competitiveness to it, making it similar to other sports.” Isa Mahon, another senior at SPASH explained “I personally think that it is an art, however I can see the argument of why dance is a sport when you compete for dance. But I still think it is an art.” Avalon Flatoff, a previous SPASH student, teacher at Forthcoming Dancespace stated “I do consider dance a sport because of the endless hours of physical labor put into it.” According to Lancaster Online an article about why dance should be considered a sport and how it has all the aspects other sports do.  “The definition of a sport, according to dictionary.com, is “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.”” When asked if dance is a sport Olivia agreed and gave examples and proof. It gives a better understanding coming from a dancer who knows the struggles and what makes them feel like it should be considered a sport. Isa had other thoughts on if dance is a sport. Giving proof and examples as well but for the other side of perspective. Knowing that another dancer doesn’t think it is a sport gives people the thoughts that it isn’t. Avalon, a teacher at Forthcoming Dancespace agrees that dance should be considered a sport because and gives an example to why. Dance fits this definition, Dance requires intense practices and has the probability of getting injured just as any sport. When thinking about it most people see it as an art, and I can see where they are coming from. The competitive way of dance I can see being more of a sport then pieces for recitals and so on and so forth. 

Competition makes dance a sport because of how much time you put into it.  “Yea I feel like the competitive style qualifies dance as a sport because you work for the score and place which is similar to other sports,” Olivia explains that knowing you work for what you do, and having it be downgraded by other people stings. With the competitive style that it can bring to dance shows that their work ethic can pay off. “Yes, somewhat I think that metals, judges, and competitions can be considered a way to make it a sport.” Isa gives you a different perspective when saying other sports get medals, trophies and some have judges too, so that’s another example of what could make dance be a sport but not a lot of people know that, and just assume it’s just for show so never put it into consideration. Avalon bases off of what Olivia says “I also believe the competitive style has a role in making it more of a sport than an ”art.” ” Describing it as when people think of dance they think of ballet, which makes them think of it as just an art, and not have any other perspective of it. ““Dancesport events are regulated by national and international organizations such as the World Dancesport Federation and The National Dance Council of America. Much like gymnastics or figure skating, dancers who compete are scored on multiple elements such as technique and execution.” LancasterOnline gives you the thoughts of having other sports being classified as a sport even though they do the same thing can make dancers who take it very seriously feel angry and upset because they do just as much for their sport so that people can qualify it as a sport. 

The aspects of dance make people believe that dance is not a sport. Olivia explains her feelings by stating that The aspects of dance make people believe that dance is not a sport. Olivia explains her feelings by stating that “ I believe that people think it isn’t a sport because nobody can really process what is going on. Expressing yourself can be considered artistic which may lead people to say it is not a sport.” Expressing yourself can show many things in life, when dancing it is easiest to express yourself in ways that you didn’t know were possible. Isa says, “Dance is more of a performance with choreographed planned movement whereas most sports are in the moment competitions that aren’t as planned and thought out as dances are.” Although it is a performance with planned choreography, and planned movement. Competitions are not as planned out and thought out as dances are. So when processing that some people would result in believing that it isn’t a sport. Avalon goes on to say that “The aspects of dance that make people believe it isn’t a sport are mostly just people that believe it isn’t a sport are mostly just people that think it’s a hobby or an art. If they saw what we do in practice they would get it.” Understanding that if you were there, and doing what dancers do too it shows that you don’t know unless you try. When people say that it is just a hobby or an art, they don’t know what dance consists of, so they’re just basing off of what they think instead of knowing.  “Every day, athletes condition their bodies to perform the skills required of them — the same is true of dancers. Dancers train themselves to increase stamina, without a break or pause, ensuring they can implement multiple abilities they need to execute.” The amount of hours that dancers spend in a studio or wherever they practice can be long and hard. Getting short breaks in between for water, but then getting right back to it to continue to practice over and  over again.  

The takeaway for  the reader is thinking if you have ever questioned whether or not dance is a sport, did you assume and pick on dancers because you don’t consider dance a sport or don’t agree with their opinions. What you say makes them reconsider sometimes or makes them feel as if because their sport isn’t valued that they need to do something that is harder so people will accept them.