"Play" is crucial for sports innovation as it encourages a culture of creativity and experimentation. Within sports, informal play allows athletes and coaches to explore new techniques, refine strategies, and test equipment in a less pressured environment. This unstructured time fosters inventive approaches, resulting in the development of new styles and play formations that can revolutionize a sport. For example, grassroots initiatives or pick-up games can lead to the emergence of unconventional tactics that eventually gain mainstream acceptance. Moreover, play serves as a vital learning mechanism, enabling athletes to take risks and learn from failures, which ultimately drives evolution and progress in their respective sports.