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Resources
 Articles
Toward
a Theology of Competition and Sport
Chapter 1 - The Philosophic Foundation of Competition
By Dr. Greg Linville
Definitions
The following outline and chart further define competition, sport,
athletics and play.
Competition – Is derived from a Latin
root which means to strive together toward a common goal.
External Motivational Influences on Competition
(EMIC or MI) – EMIC describes the pressures of competing
because of, with, or against external forces such as: time, obstacles,
challenges of weather or other natural causes, courses (golf, race
etc.), or other human beings.
Internal Motivational Influences on Competition
(IMIC or MIC) – IMIC competition describes the pressures of
competing because of or against internal forces such as: one’s pride,
personal level of excellence, a personal goal or unmet ego needs.
Sequential – Sequential competition
describes the process of one competitor competing in sequence with
other competitors as they take turns at a sporting activities such as:
long jump, pole vault, bowling, golf, shot put, ski jumping or archery.
Simultaneous – Simultaneous competition
describes two or more competitors, competing side by side at the same
time in such activities as: a marathon, swimming races, sailing
regattas, cross-country skiing or horse racing.
Synchronized – Synchronized competition
combines elements of both Sequential and Simultaneous competitions. It
describes two or more competitors competing at the same time
(simultaneous) but playing with and/or vying for the same ball, puck or
other piece of equipment. This type of competition usually has only one
team or individual controlling the ball at a time (sequential) in such
sports as: basketball, hockey, football or baseball. In these examples
of sporting competition, teams compete simultaneously (both vying for a
ball or puck) but upon controlling that ball they sequentially attempt
to score with it. In a fairly unique twist, baseball and cricket are
the only sports in which the defense has possession of the ball and yet
even here the simultaneous/sequential process of synchronized
competition occurs.
 Progressive
Intensity Levels of Competition (PIL) – this phrase is used
to describe a concept concerning an ascending progression of seven
distinct competitive levels. Each level brings an increasing amount of
intensity to the competition and this increasing intensity carries with
it an inherent potential exasperation for all involved.
MEGA - Mutually Exclusive Goal
Attainment describes the element of competition in which only one
person or team can attain a victory or only one person or team can
possess a ball, base or place.
Sport – Sport combines many aspects of:
Athletics – Physical activities
Games – Competitive activities
Play – Actions that are fun and amusing
Competition – Competing against others,
times and/or courses or obstacles, and may either be participated in by
individuals (golf, bowling, running) or by teams (baseball, rugby,
basketball).
Athletics – Athletics require activities
based upon being physically active and assumes one may gain an
advantage by being stronger, faster, quicker or more coordinated. These
athletic activities may take place in games, play, recreation, leisure
pursuits or sport.
Games – Games are competitive activities
requiring at least one of the following: rules, some level of skill,
chance, endurance, strategy and cooperation in which participants
strive to accomplish something, or outdo other participants. They may
require an athletic ability such as strength; hand-eye coordination or
accuracy needed in games such as “horseshoes” or may require only
thinking such as a game of “twenty questions” which can be played by a
blind quadriplegic and usually rewards those participants who are more
strategic or more informed, rather than those who are more athletic.
Activities - are sometimes called sport
but are different than sport. They are still competitions (to win a
motor race or to hunt/catch/trap an animal) but must be classified in a
distinctively different category than sport or even athletics.
Play – Play is defined as an action,
exercise or involvement for one’s amusement or recreation. It defines
activity that is often more undirected, random and spontaneous than
games or sport. These activities can be building sandcastles, running
and jumping or swinging in one’s backyard.
Playful Games – Play with a little
direction and organization added in and possibly with a little playful
competition included.
Recreation – Stemming from the concept
to “create anew.” Recreation is used to define the activity that brings
refreshment and renewal to an individual usually through the means of a
game, pastime, activity, hobby or sporting endeavor. Within the Sports
and Recreation Ministry context, Recreation Ministry is often used in
apposition to Sport Ministry to refer to activities that are not team
or sports oriented. These activities would include such endeavors as
hiking, biking, paddling activities, birding, crafts and camping. There
may be competitive elements in leisure pursuits but normally
competition is not a major motivation for the endeavor.
Leisure – Leisure defines the freedom
one has from duties or work. It describes the time and activities one
participates in during these unrestricted periods. Within the Sports
and Recreation Ministry context it is often combined with the word
“pursuits” to describe the activities organized by a local church for
people to participate in during their free time.
This article is broken up into component sections.
Please choose a
section below to read.
Introduction
- The Question
The
Philosophical Foundation
Progressive
Intensity Levels of Competition (PIL)
Motivational
Influences (MI)
Combining
PIL With MI on Competition
Summary of
Competition Philosophy
Definitions
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All
rights reserved. Copies of this material not
permitted without express permission of the author.
For any reproduction right, including federal copying, computer
reproduction, etc. contact:
Dr. Greg Linville at CSRM International c/o The World Outreach Center
5350 Broadmoor Circle N.W., Canton, Ohio – USA 44709 or glinville@csrm.org
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