- Americans love their sports, but there are many popular sports that aren't known in the United States.
- They include variations on soccer and basketball, and unusual hybrid sports like sepak takraw.
- Some of these sports are gaining popularity in America, but they have a ways to go.
America has a passion for sports. They entertain us, they teach us lessons, and they form a huge part of our national identity.
Between our five most popular sports— football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, and soccer — we have one for every season and every taste.
But there are plenty of other fascinating sports that we're missing out on in the United States. In many cases, some of the most compelling sports are ones that many Americans haven't even heard of.
Take sepak takraw, for example. It's the volleyball/soccer hybrid that is extremely popular in Southeast Asia, but unlikely to come up on American airwaves.
Read on to learn about 11 popular international sports that most Americans don't know the first thing about.
SEE ALSO: 11 things you'll hardly ever see in the United States
Kabaddi is like high-stakes red rover — you don't want to get caught on the other side of the court.
Where it's popular: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Iran
How it's played: Kabaddi is sort of like a combination of red rover, tag, and wrestling. Teams take turns sending one raider across the court. That player scores one point for each member of the other team he tags, so long as he returns safely to his side of the court. But if the defending team manages to tackle the raider before he cross back to his side, the defense gets a point.
As for the length of each round, Kabaddi players have a unique way of keeping time: The raider must continually chant "kabaddi" without taking a breath — if the referee sees them inhale, their turn is automatically over.
How big is it? Pretty big. There are several professional kabaddi leagues in Asia, and it's been a regular at the Asian Games since 1990.
Sepak takraw is a high-flying sport combining volleyball and soccer.
Where it's popular: Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Myanmar
How it's played: Sepak takraw is like a combination of soccer and volleyball. Like volleyball, players serve a ball over a net and try to ground it on the other team's side of the court. However, there are no hands allowed: You can only use your feet, head, knees, and other body parts. The ball is made out of a hard fiber called rattan.
How big is it? It's been a staple of the Asian Games since 1990.
Futsal is an indoor variation of soccer popular all over the world.
Where it's popular: Every continent
How it's played: Futsal is a variation of soccer played on a small, indoor court with a hard surface and a smaller, heavier ball. Unlike in soccer, futsal teams have five players each and can make unlimited substitutions.
How big is it? Futsal has a strong international presence, with world championships taking place every four years and continental championships roughly every two. It's becoming increasingly popular in American cities, as futsal courts are often easier to install than soccer fields.
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