Ball games, or
ball sports, are any form of
game or
sport which feature a
ball as part of play. These include games such as
association football (soccer),
baseball,
basketball, and
American football. Such games have diverse rules and histories and are of mostly unrelated origins. Ball games can be defined in several broad types:
Bat-and-ball games, such as
baseball and
cricket.
Racquet and ball games, such as
tennis,
squash and
badminton.
Hand and ball-striking games, such as various
handball codes, rebound handball and 4 square.
Goal sports, such as
basketball and all forms of
football,
hockey or
lacrosse.
Net games, such as
volleyball and
sepak takraw.
Precision sports, such as
bowling,
lawn bowls,
croquet, and
golf, as well as
cue sports, including
snooker,
pool, and forms of
billiards