When people think about sports, common ones like soccer, basketball, tennis, or football usually come to mind. While these major sports receive much of the attention and fanfare, there’s a whole world of lesser-known sports that offer just as much excitement, physical challenge, and fun. These underrated sports are not only engaging and accessible, but they also provide numerous health and social benefits that make them worth exploring.
Whether you’re looking for something new to keep you active, want to shake up your usual fitness routine, or just crave a fresh challenge, here are some underrated sports you should consider picking up right now.
1. Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee is a fast-paced team sport that combines elements of soccer, football, and basketball, but instead of a ball, players use a flying disc (Frisbee). Played on a rectangular field, the objective is to pass the disc down the field and into the opposing team’s end zone to score points. The catch? Once you catch the disc, you can’t move, so it’s all about quick passes, teamwork, and strategic positioning.
Why it’s underrated: Despite being one of the most accessible and fun sports to play, Ultimate Frisbee doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves. It requires very little equipment—just a Frisbee and some open space—and can be played casually or at a highly competitive level.
Benefits: Ultimate Frisbee offers a full-body workout, improving cardiovascular endurance, agility, and hand-eye coordination. It’s also a co-ed sport, making it a fantastic way to meet new people and develop communication and teamwork skills. The sport’s spirit of fair play and sportsmanship—players self-officiate—makes it unique and fosters a positive, inclusive environment.
2. Pickleball
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. and around the world, yet it remains somewhat under the radar. This paddle sport combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It’s played on a court similar to a tennis court, but the court is smaller, and the net is lower. The game is played with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball, and it can be enjoyed in singles or doubles formats.
Why it’s underrated: Pickleball is easy to learn and accessible to people of all ages and skill levels. Because the court is smaller and the pace is slightly slower than tennis, it’s a great sport for beginners or for those looking to remain active as they age.
Benefits: Pickleball improves hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and cardiovascular fitness. It’s also less intense on the joints compared to sports like tennis, making it an ideal option for anyone seeking a lower-impact workout. Additionally, pickleball is highly social—many local clubs and recreational centers offer leagues and pick-up games, creating a sense of community.
3. Handball
Handball is a dynamic and high-energy team sport, often described as a mix between soccer and basketball, but played with the hands. Teams of seven compete to score goals by passing and throwing a ball into the opponent’s net. The game is fast-paced, with constant movement, quick passes, and plenty of scoring opportunities.
Why it’s underrated: While handball is incredibly popular in Europe, it hasn’t caught on to the same extent in other parts of the world, despite being a thrilling Olympic sport. The fast nature of the game, along with its relatively simple rules, makes it an exciting and accessible sport for people looking for something different from traditional field sports.
Benefits: Handball offers an excellent cardiovascular workout and improves both upper and lower body strength due to the continuous sprinting and the need for powerful throws. The sport also enhances agility, coordination, and teamwork, as players must work together to create scoring opportunities and defend against opponents.
4. Spikeball (Roundnet)
Spikeball, also known as roundnet, is a relatively new sport that has quickly gained popularity in certain circles but is still considered underrated by many. Played with a small, round net placed at ankle height, Spikeball involves teams of two who take turns hitting a small ball off the net. The opposing team must return the ball, and the volley continues until one team fails to hit the ball back onto the net.
Why it’s underrated: Spikeball is incredibly portable, making it ideal for playing at parks, beaches, or even in your backyard. Despite its growing popularity, it’s still flying under the radar as a mainstream sport. However, it’s easy to learn, requires minimal equipment, and provides a fun, high-intensity workout.
Benefits: Spikeball is a fantastic way to improve your reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and agility. It’s also a great cardiovascular workout due to the constant sprinting, jumping, and diving required to keep the ball in play. The small team size promotes a fast-paced, competitive atmosphere, while also fostering strong communication and strategy-building between teammates.
5. Futsal
Futsal is a variant of soccer played indoors on a smaller, hard court with a smaller ball that has less bounce. The game typically features five players on each team and emphasizes quick, precise footwork and ball control due to the limited space and fast pace.
Why it’s underrated: While soccer is the world’s most popular sport, futsal is often overshadowed despite offering a more technical and fast-paced version of the game. It’s especially popular in South America and Europe as a developmental tool for young soccer players, but it hasn’t fully caught on in other regions.
Benefits: Futsal enhances ball control, quick decision-making, and agility, thanks to the smaller playing area and fewer players. The game also offers an excellent cardiovascular workout, with constant movement and transitions between offense and defense. Whether you’re a seasoned soccer player or a beginner, futsal is a great way to improve your skills and stay fit.
6. Badminton
Badminton is often viewed as a casual backyard activity, but when played competitively, it’s an incredibly fast and physically demanding sport. Played with a shuttlecock and racquets, badminton requires lightning-fast reflexes, precision, and endurance.
Why it’s underrated: Badminton is one of the most popular sports in countries like China, India, and Indonesia, but it’s frequently underestimated in other parts of the world. Many people don’t realize just how intense and physically challenging the sport can be at higher levels.
Benefits: Badminton is excellent for improving reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and cardiovascular fitness. It’s a full-body workout that also improves agility, speed, and strategic thinking. Plus, it’s a versatile sport that can be played both indoors and outdoors, making it accessible year-round.
7. Floorball
Floorball is a type of floor hockey that is played indoors with a plastic ball and lightweight sticks. Unlike traditional ice hockey, there is no body checking, and the game is played at a much faster pace. Teams typically consist of five field players and a goalie.
Why it’s underrated: Floorball is not as well-known as ice hockey, despite offering a similar level of excitement and skill. The sport’s low barrier to entry—no expensive ice rink or heavy protective equipment required—makes it accessible for beginners while still providing a high level of competition for more experienced players.
Benefits: Floorball improves cardiovascular endurance, hand-eye coordination, and agility. The game’s fast pace means players are constantly moving, providing an excellent workout for both the upper and lower body. Floorball also promotes teamwork and communication, making it a great sport for building social connections.
8. Disc Golf
Disc golf is a relaxing yet challenging sport where players throw a disc into a basket or target, aiming to complete each hole in as few throws as possible. Played on a course similar to traditional golf, disc golf involves varying levels of terrain and obstacles.
Why it’s underrated: Disc golf is growing in popularity, but it remains a niche sport. It’s inexpensive, requiring only a few discs and access to a local course, many of which are free to play. Despite its simplicity, disc golf offers plenty of opportunities for strategy, technique, and competition.
Benefits: Disc golf is a low-impact sport that improves upper body strength, coordination, and concentration. Walking the course also provides a moderate cardiovascular workout. Plus, it’s a highly social and inclusive sport, making it perfect for group outings and recreational leagues.
Conclusion
Underrated sports like Ultimate Frisbee, Pickleball, and Handball may not get as much attention as mainstream activities, but they offer just as much excitement, physical challenge, and social interaction. These sports are accessible, fun, and provide unique health benefits that can improve both your physical fitness and mental well-being. Whether you’re looking for a new way to stay active or want to expand your athletic horizons, exploring these underrated sports could be the perfect way to keep your fitness journey fresh and engaging.
From the strategic depth of disc golf to the explosive intensity of Spikeball, there’s something for everyone. So, why not step outside the norm and try one of these hidden gems? You may just discover your new favorite sport!