Topics for explainer videos are infinite! There is just so much to explain about the world we live in. So, let’s consider a few fascinating subjects, a few serious issues and a few fun things that will be great sports topics for explainer videos.

7 Great Sports Topics for Explainer Videos 

1. Curling

There are two teams, each with four players. The players take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones across the ice towards a circular target. Each team has eight stones. Each player throws two…. and the tension builds… The purpose is, of course, to get the highest score: Once both teams have thrown all of their stones, the points are calculated. The stones resting closest to the center of the target get the highest score. That’s what curling is! But there is so much more to explain: the sheet, the house, the ends, the pebble, the hammer, the button, the brush and, of course, the curl! Curling seriously needs an explainer video to inform a novice on what this unique sport is really about.

2. Football players’ brains

When a large collection of former NFL players’ brains were examined in postmortems, nearly every sample showed signs of CTE. This disorder is associated with memory loss, emotional outbursts, depression and dementia. The brains of former college and high school football players were also examined and the results raised concern about the safety of contact sports. Further research suggested that young brains may need more time to heal than was previously thought to be sufficient healing time after a hard knock. (Three months after injury, despite normal thinking and memory abilities, nerve cell bundles that carry messages across the brain were not functioning properly.) An explainer video can examine how football is causing such damage, how the sport is dealing with hard knocks, and how hard knocks can be prevented.

3. Swimming

Water may have a powerful effect on the brain that can be likened to meditation. Moreover, it can be the source of a cardio workout that will not put stress on your bones, joints and muscles. Yes, swimming is one of the best ways to stay active while taking care of all parts of your body. Swimming gives all of the body’s main muscles a workout. It is a tried and tested workout. How great it would be to explain the various strokes and all the true benefits of this great sport in a short explainer video? (By the way, did you know that the oldest swimming stroke is breaststroke? This is also the slowest stroke swum at the Olympics.)

 4. Mary Decker vs. Zola Budd

In 1984, Mary Decker and Zola Budd competed in the 3000m Olympics race. One was a newcomer; the other an old favorite. One ran with trainers; the other was barefoot….. Both had the eyes of the world on them: a historic showdown was expected! But 1,700m into the race, with Decker and Budd leading the field, they made contact. Budd stumbled and slowed down. Decker tripped and fell to the side of the track. For Decker the race was over. Budd finished seventh. An explainer video may reveal what really happened on that day in world athletics!

5. Sumo wrestling

This sport dates back over 1,500 years. In 1909, sumo became the national sport of Japan. Today it is a popular form of professional entertainment. It is a fascinating sport that becomes a way of life for those who participate. The appeal of the sport lies in the intensity of the matches, and in the ceremony and drama that accompanies the tournaments. So, there is much to explain about sumo wrestlers’ living arrangements, diet, attire, training, ranking, and, of course sumo tournaments!

6. Fly fishing

Many books have been written on the subject of fly fishing! And yet, not so many people know much about it! In 1653 the English writer Izaak Walton published a book on fishing that turned out to be popular for many decades. He called fly fishing “The Contemplative Man’s Recreation”. This is because fly fishing is not only a sport but also an art. An artificial “fly” is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly as a “lure” requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting. The lures resemble insects or baitfish and trick the fish so that it strikes and bites the lure. Fly fishing can be done in fresh or salt water. But there is so much more to explain: the history of fly fishing, methods, techniques, tackle, knots…the list goes on…. Indeed an excellent topic for an explainer video!  

7. Modern Pentathlon

Who is familiar with pentathlon? Probably only those who train, take part or watch pentathlon events. It is something to do with a contest featuring five events… The name comes from the Greek words “pente” (five) and “athlon” (competition). In the ancient Olympic Games five events were contested over one day. The athletes did long jump, javelin throwing, discus throwing, a short foot race, and wrestling. However, the modern pentathlon looks considerably different… and a point system is involved to determine the overall winner. One may say it is a totally different competition that requires completely different skills! In fact, famous ancient pentathlon athletes like Gorgos of Elis, Aelius Granianus of Sikyon or Demetrios of Salamis would not even have recognized modern pentathlon! (How would they have fared in today’s event?!)  So, why not make an explainer video so that the rest of us can also know the ins and outs of modern pentathlon?