DANCE: AN ART FORM OR A SPORT?

The age-old dilemma is the debate between dance being an art form or a sport. There are many reasons supporting both opinions but the question has never fully been answered. Through great analysis we hope to finally answer this question. This is Part 2 of the debate and we will now prove why Dance is a sport.

Dance is a Sport:

As taken from dictionary.com the definition of a sport is “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.”

The following are some of the most concrete reasons why dance should be considered a sport:

1.

The definition of a sport is physically exerting yourself as an individual or team. In order to dance one must physically exert their body and create movements. Dance can be done individually or with a dance team thus dance must qualify as a sport.

2.

One of the big identifiers of a sport is competing against others in a specific concentration. As soccer teams compete against each other in matches dancers and dance teams compete against others in dance competitions and dance battles. All of these competitions provoke the same desire to win and required hard work and ethics it takes to win. All teams and individuals must learn how to work and operate as a team and there always seems to be one individual who rises up and leads the team as a captain might in soccer.

3.

In every sport there are rules and regulations for each match. In dance if you are competing in a competition, battle or cypher you will be judged on things similar to sports. In gymnastics, competitors are judged by their cleanliness, moves, routine and synchronization which is the same for dance.There are also universal rules for all sports which are found in dance which include sportsmanship and fair play.

4.

Every sport takes extreme flexibility, strength and fitness from the athlete. In dance all of these things are necessary in order to perform routines and even perform certain moves such as how break-dancers need strength to hold their entire body weight with one hand. Dancers train hard for years like any other athlete in order to develop the strength and abilities to improve and become a professional.

5.

Every athlete has certain attributes that allow them to want work hard and dedicate themselves to their craft as they try to improve. This attribute is called mental toughness and allows a person to persevere through difficult situations such as training or competition. This attribute is seen greatly in aspiring athletes and helps them "grid their teeth" through intensive training and even injuries. This trait is not only seen in high intensity contact sports such as hockey and football but it is also seen in no-contact sport such as soccer and dance.

6.

A sports clothing company called “Under Armor” has been known for its exceptional sports equipment and clothing. Under Armor has been known for their support of multiple sports and recently under armor has paired their brand with dance. Under Armor has recently released an advertisement with Misty Copeland a professional ballerina for the “I Will what I want” campaign. A company known for their domination in the athletic clothing industry has basically reached out to the dance industry and showed their respect for dance as a sport. Under Armor has advertised their athletic clothing through a dancer in the advertisement and has now created a new market for their brand.

The following video is a solo video of B-Boy Pocket of the “Morning of Owl” dance crew. The superior strength, flexibility and technique of this individual truly shows why dance is a sport and takes an experienced athlete to perform.

7. Conclusion

There are a lot of people who believe that dance is both a sport and an art form because it consists of important features of both activities. I agree with that opinion because in order to dance you must be an athlete and a creative artist. Based on the above six facts support dance being an art and a sport it is conclusive that dance can definitely be classified as a hybrid between a sport and art form.

But you be the judge of this debate and let us know your opinion in the comments.