Inverse's Not Sports

NOT SPORTS is an occasional series from Inverse about almost-sports, sort-of sports, and strategic competition where the rules are fuzzy but the value is clear. We dive deep into the origin, rules, and even who the Michael Jordan is of each not-sport, and meet the people who love to play.

Not Sports
The best rock-paper-scissors players know how to win without luck
Emma Betuel
The best rock-paper-scissors players around can sniff out an amateur before they say "shoot."

Not Sports

Not Sports
Headis shows how to turn a weird game into a legit sport
Emma Betuel
Not Sports
Science explains the untapped potential of the humble hot dog eating contest
Emma Betuel
Not sports
A veteran lawnmower racer on what it takes to zip at 60 miles per hour
Emma Betuel
Not Sports
The best rock-paper-scissors players know how to win without luck
Emma Betuel
The best rock-paper-scissors players around can sniff out an amateur before they say "shoot."
Not Sports
Headis shows how to turn a weird game into a legit sport
Emma Betuel
"I'm one of the worldwide leaders of how to create a trend in the sports industry."
Not Sports
Science explains the untapped potential of the humble hot dog eating contest
Emma Betuel
"This is just the beginning"
Not sports
A veteran lawnmower racer on what it takes to zip at 60 miles per hour
Emma Betuel
The United States Lawn Mower Racing Association is the sport's oldest governing body. The president explains what makes it special and how to go insanely fast on a lawnmower.
Not Sports
'Floor is Lava' host Rutledge Wood explains the surprising secret to winning
Emma Betuel
"Let’s be honest, this whole show is bananas."
Mind and Body
Not Sports: An Inverse series where the rules are fuzzy and the value is clear
Nick Lucchesi
NOT SPORTS is an occasional series from Inverse about almost-sports, sort-of sports, and strategic competition where the rules are fuzzy but the value is clear.
Not Sports
How Major League Wiffle Ball is turning a classic summer game into a sport
Emma Betuel
"I'd like to run Major League Wiffle Ball full time."
Not Sports
Shin-kicking: A game created to troll 17th-century puritans is still thriving
Emma Betuel
The Cotswold Olympick Games have existed for more than 400 years. A perennial favorite is shin-kicking. Inverse asked experts what makes a champion shin kicker.
NOT SPORTS
Not Sports: Riding runaway sheep teaches "cul de sac kids" a life lesson
Emma Betuel
The sport of mutton bustin' is simple: hang on to a stampeding sheep for dear life.
Guitar Heroes
Not Sports: Fans of this weird exercise also want to achieve world peace
Emma Betuel
"It seems like a joke at first."

Actual sports