Cooperative Sports

According to the website, Cooperative Sports are: "New ways of 'playing' our favorite ball games with a gentle twist, resulting in lots of healthy action and exercise, and a big dose of fun and friendship (like how sand lot games and practice used to/can be). Competition is eliminated (we really don’t have to compete in order to excel or to have fun), and the games have been modified, emphasizing: participation, success, action, safety, fun, re-creation, friendship, challenge, diversity, player driven, in the moment, no competition." What the author calls "The 12 Key Elements of 'True Play.'"

Many examples are given, including cooperative versions of softball, kickball, soccer, hockey, basketball, volleyball, tennis, etc. Whether you agree with the premise or not, you have to be touched by the promise - alternative versions of competitive sports that emphasize fun and friendship. The author, Dick Bozung, is passionate and creative enough to make you want to at least try to play a different way, and that's an achievement worthy of or collective notice, and applause.


from Bernie DeKoven, funsmith