If you’ve been paying any attention at all to the 2008 Summer Olympics, its more than likely that you’re familiar with some of the more popular events like Swimming, Gymnastics, Track & Field, and Basketball, but what about the events that don’t get that prime-time coverage on NBC? Here’s a tribute to the 5 most obscure Sports at the Beijing Olympics.

#5 BMX Biking
Once relegated to a small but dedicated following at the X-Games, in 2008 BMX Racing became the newest Olympic Sport. BMX Racing involves using customized bicycles, usually featuring 20 inch wheels, to race around a dirt track which often feature multiple jumps and other challenges. According to the official Beijing Olympics website: “The Olympic BMX track, which is approximately 300 to 400 meters in length, features high technical jumps and other obstacles designed for the top-level riders of the BMX racing.”

Think: a nice bike ride on a dirt path + Mountain Dew

#4 Yachting
When I think of yachting, I think of it as an activity enjoyed by old men (think: Hugh Hefner) with goofy looking caps on a lazy Saturday afternoon. It turns out yachting is actually an Olympic sport. In fact there are even four different categories of events for men and women, as well as three mixed events. Olympic yachting generally takes the form of a race to cross the finish line between numerous vessels, which require each vessel to navigate around multiple buoys without interfering with competitors.

Think: sailing on steroids

#3 Field Hockey
Hockey is a summer Olympics sport? Apparently when anyone outside of North America and Eastern Europe refer to Hockey, they’re talking about field hockey. Field Hockey is played between two teams of 11 players (10 position players and a keeper). Players battle to hit a small plastic ball into a goal by using a stick; shaped much like those used in Ice Hockey. The similarities end there. In field hockey only the Keeper is allowed to touch the ball with their body, and even they are not allowed to catch the ball or bring it to a dead stop. Also, goals are only counted if they are scored from within a semi-circle which extends roughly 20 yards from the goal. International men’s Field Hockey has historically been dominated by natural rivals Indian and Pakistan, although in recent years European and Australian teams have challenged their dominance. The women’s sport is dominated by Australia, although India and China also are known to put together strong teams.

Think: Ice Hockey (without the skates) + Soccer + Lacrosse

#2 Hand Ball
This enigmatic sport is equally exciting to watch as it is confusing. This sport is played between two sides of 7 players (one keeper and 6 ‘outfielders’) who attempt to advance a ball (similar in size to a size 3 soccer ball) using their hands, and score by throwing the ball into the net. The handball ‘pitch’ is 44 yards long, and includes a semi-circle approximately 22 yards out inside which only the keeper is allowed to stand. Handball is a fast-paced, high scoring sport. This is in part because players are only allowed to hold the ball for 3 seconds and take 3 steps before they must past, dribble or shoot the ball.

Think Soccer (minus the legs) + Basketball (minus the hoop) + Water Polo (without the water)

#1 Trampoline
While many may fondly recall childhood memories of executing back flips and other acrobatic feats in their backyard on a trampoline, Olympic athletes spend their lives training on this child-hood toy. Instead of back flips, Olympic athletes execute complex moves with funny names like: The Twist, The Rudolph, and The Double Salto Reverse Spread. Like gymnastics, the competitors are scored by a panel of judges who rate their performance on a scale of 0 – 10. The sport is relatively new and has been dominated thus far by the Russians.

Think: Gymnastics + Figure Skating on a trampoline