Category talk:Precision sports

Snooker a precision sport? Sure, you need to pot a ball in a pocket, but you don't get more points whether you hit the pocket dead on, or via one of the jaws. If snooker is a precision sport, shouldn't soccer be one as well? After all, that requires the players to put the ball in a "pocket" as well. Abigail 09:19, 3 Jun 2004 (UTC)


 * I thought of that, and I can't really say I have an answer. Perhaps soccer should be categorized as a precision sport (but then indirectly, via something like "sports with goals"). The difference is that as far as I see it, precision is the only physical feat measured by snooker (much like shooting). I might be wrong. (Am I?) (Of course the most interesting feat measured by snooker is tactics, but it's dubious whether that is part of what makes it a sport - then we get to the questions of such games as chess or bridge being sports or not..) -- Jao 09:30, 3 Jun 2004 (UTC)


 * Tactics is important in snooker in the same way it is with soccer. In fact, with soccer, the only thing that is measured is the number of goals - that is, the ability to put the ball in the goal. And while it helps in soccer to be a good runner, if you don't put the ball in the goal, you won't win. I know what you are getting at, and it might be a good idea to subdivide sports into different categories. But "precision sports" isn't a category I'd expect snooker in. Curling, bowls, darts, shooting, petangue (sp?), yes. Now, a category that combines snooker, pool, and the various forms of billiards, that might be a better idea. Abigail 09:53, 3 Jun 2004 (UTC)


 * Agreed. There's a whole family of such sports, and they are quite special. By all means, go ahead and create it. -- Jao 10:19, 3 Jun 2004 (UTC)