Jerald Shin Shapiro asked:


In every game, there is always the possibility of running into an injury instead of the goal line. If you are affiliated with sports as a coach, you will want to make sure that you help your players to stay safe and avoid possibilities for injury. By keeping a checklist in mind of what the players need and how to meet this, you will have the ability to keep them going in the game. 

One of the most important factors that relates to children’s safety and injuries is related to the growth of the child. Because they are not fully developed, an injury can cause problems not only with the pain at the moment, but also with potential future problems. There are several who have found the various reasons for the injuries, many which could be prevented. 

The number one cause for injuries in sports is related to a lack of education. Children will go without wearing the proper safety gear, or will take a wrong move that could have been prevented if they knew it would injure them. Because this is the number one reason for injury, it is important for coaches to inform every player of the importance of safety gear and educating them on ways to prevent injury while playing. 

A second factor related to sports injuries is from children who do not receive the proper conditioning before they go to play a game. They should be practicing scenarios of the game as well as learning techniques that will help them to reach the goals of the game without making a wrong move. Once you learn the basics of maneuvers for games, it is your priority to make sure that all of your players understand why the moves are set rules. 

If you are looking at the different possibilities to help your players stay healthy and safe in practice and in a game, then it is up to you to step up to the plate. Making sure that they receive the proper education and observing their use and understanding of safety gear can help save children from the fall.



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Collin Harvey asked:


If you are like any other that is involved in sports, you want to make sure that every player stays well and is always able to play in the game.  Of course, some injuries are inevitable.  It is easy for the children or youth to make a wrong move, adjust the wrong way, or simply run straight into the ball.  If you want to help with possible injuries, there are several ways to come prepared.  

The first thing that you should keep in mind is that most injuries are preventable.  Of course, kids will be kids, and it will be inevitable that they will make a wrong move.  However, the more you let them know about safety equipment, the less likely you will be to have major problems.  You can also be sure to over emphasize specific movements in every type of game.  Making them comfortable with these movements will help create an extra safety feature.  

Even if you had all of the wrapping in the world to help prevent injuries, there will still be specific injuries that occur.  Because you are playing a sport, you can easily expect twisted ankles, knees and arms.  If this happens, make sure that you have your first aid kit with you.  You can wrap the fractured or broken area until they get to a hospital.  Another type of injury that may occur may be from getting hit by a ball.  Having an ice pack or a way to help relieve some of the pain will help until they can get to the right area and receive medical attention, if they need it.  

These are not the only types of injuries that may occur.  There is also a caution that needs to be taken for things such as heat disorder.  It is easy for any player to get a little too much sun, causing them to overheat, and possibly pass out.  If this happens, be sure to get them in the shade and give them water.  You can easily prevent this by requiring all of your players to drink water on a consistent basis.  

No matter what the injury, there is always a solution.  By knowing what can be expected and coming prepared, you will be able to help the players enjoy the game, without walking away with an injury.  There are some stories that every child will want to tell about their game.  You want to make sure that it is not about an injury that occurred.



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Gregg Hall asked:


With more and more people getting computers more and more people are wanting to use the internet for something different every day. Well people want to learn how to play tennis online but I don’t think that it is possible. They say that you can learn how to play sports online but how do you learn how to play a sport without actually playing the sport that you are trying to learn how to play. That may sound confusing but it is true how you learn how to play a sport that you are not even physically playing. Now if you ask me that is some crazy mess.

You will need to stop and think for a second and ask yourself if you can actually be taught how to play tennis online. I don’t think that it is possible because you are not really playing the sport you are just reading about the sport and maybe looking at pictures that isn’t learning how to play the sport. If you were learning how to play the sport then you would have a tennis ball in your hand along with a racquet and you would be trying to serve the ball and trying to learn how to play not sitting at home on the internet just messing around not really learning how to play tennis.

The internet can however help you with other things that you may need help with in the sport of tennis. You may just need some guidance or a little help so all you do is go online and look up your problem that you may have. Say your problem you have is your swing and you cannot get the ball in the service box. You just go on Google and look at how to improve your swing. I am sure that they may have chat rooms for you to chat about tennis and how you play.

You will be able to learn just as much as from a trainer as from the internet if not more. I will agree that you can use the internet and learn more then you would from a real person that is charging you by the hour to teach you stuff that you probably already know. So in that case if they are trying to charge you money and trying to teach you the things that you know that you already got down with your skills then you just need to say hey man I already know all these things your showing me how about you show me some new stuff or I am going home and just going to learn this for free on the internet.

You will just want to be in good shape and be able to play the game before you start trying to play. You will need to be able to run across court for a ball that is far away sometimes. You are going to have to push it in tennis because it is a cardio sport and it will get your heart rate up so be careful and have fun with tennis.



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Jeffrey Seymour asked:


One of the largest factors that several youth deal with today is in relation to their self-esteem. Several suffer by looking at themselves as not good enough. This may range from seeing their body image in the wrong light to seeing their mental states as not quite right. There are ways to help youth with their self-esteem. By suggesting and supporting things like sports, you will be certain to decrease their chances at unhealthy activities from a low self-esteem.  

It is known that when children enter into school, they will generally have a high self-esteem. More than eighty percent of children in the first grade will start out by thinking highly of themselves and believing that they can do anything. By the time these same children reach the fifth grade, the attitude towards themselves and the self-esteem has dropped to about twenty percent. By the time children graduate from high school, the amount that has a high self esteem is at a low of five percent.  

Along with the low self-esteem come things such as drug use, early sex, and failure with steps towards a career. At the same time, it is also being found that those who play sports are less likely to take part in these activities. Instead, those who play sports are more likely to develop a higher self-esteem and participate in positive activities. Because the children and youth are being challenged to succeed, and encouraged to continue through the use of a team and the sport, they are able to develop a better insight towards their own self-image.  

The idea of self-esteem in sports has become such a major component of the sports, that several areas are now committed to giving more youth activities outside of school specifically to battle low self-esteem and offer alternatives for success. It is being found that no matter what type of physical activity or sport the youth participate in, it is helping to build them into better adults with a more positive outlook on whom they are.  

If you notice any type of anxiety, depression, or negative reaction from your child, their self-esteem may need some help. If you want to make sure that they graduate from high school feeling good about their accomplishments, then you can enroll them in a physical activity to help out. By doing this, you will be able to give them another option away from the negative outlook that they may have.



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Gregg Hall asked:


I played football from the age of eight years old until age twenty and then continued in bodybuilding to this day at the age of 45. Even though I look younger than my age and younger guys approach me all the time to play rugby or sandlot football my knees and hips just can’t take the abuse anymore. If you are like me and you still want to stay involved in sports a good way to do it is though sports collectibles and memorabilia.

I never thought I would get into it but there is so much available that there is literally something for everyone no matter what sport you are interested in. Sports memorabilia collecting can help fill your time with an enjoyable hobby and give you a diversion from the hassles of life.

Sports collecting can run from collecting football jerseys or collecting photographs for scrapbooks to collecting every possible item you can find about the particular sport, team, or player you are interested in. It is fun to put together display cases with jerseys, helmets, and game balls along with pictures from particular events. There are some accessories that you can buy to help you with displaying your sports collectibles as well.

Another easy to start collectible hobby is by collecting pins. Almost all sports offer collectible pins of their teams and they are actually one of the most popular segments of the sports collectible market today. Other popular pins are those that commemorate specific events like the Olympics. Collecting antique sports equipment, such as vintage baseball gloves and bats is also a hot item.

Collecting sports cards like baseball cards is still hot as ever of course and over the years these cards which started as a hobby for many when they were kids are now bringing in huge sums of money for the owners. Rare cards like those of **** Ruth or Willie Mays bring in unbelievable prices.

NASCAR is another area that is super hot right now. You can find replica race cars, leather jackets, helmets, etc. My dad is a huge Jeff Gordon fan and has just about everything in existence with his name or picture on it. If you are into NASCAR check into this area of sports memorabilia, you will find an item for whatever racer you like.

Some other sports collectors keep items that relate to their individual recreational sport such as fishing or golf. There are categories that cater to everyone so you are sure to find your niche.



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Stu Owens asked:


It can be challenging and a lot of hard work or it can be simply just taking some time out. However, if you look at your gap year one thing should be gained from your time out – reward. Developing a skill, learning a language, experience a different way of living – all can be rewarding and mean that your gap year was a fulfilling experience.

One gap year experience is to play sport. Are you passionate about sport and feel like you want to share your passion with others? How about sharing this with youngsters in an exciting overseas environment? If these two questions really grab your attention then here is another one – are you going to do something about it? With a gap year sport programme you can develop your coaching skills whilst passing on your knowledge and enthusiasm to the next generation.

Sport coaching placements can last for between 10-19 weeks, depending on the sport you coach. Participants coach sport to youngsters in local schools and community teams. On average coaches may also be able to do a part time job and, if desired, it is often possible to supplement this with additional umpiring or refereeing work for your specialist sport.

Whilst challenging and demanding (you could be responsible for a whole class of future sporting heroes!) there is no doubt that the experience of working with youngsters over the course of a school term is highly rewarding. Coaching sport is also a fantastic addition to any CV, allowing you to demonstrate initiative, leadership and communication skills.

With most programmes, you will live alongside other gap year participants that could be in 4 star city centre accommodation that provides easy access via local transport to your place of work. You would also be assigned a local mentor to be on hand to assist you throughout your programme and you will be guaranteed a minimum number of coaching hours per week.

We recommend that people interested in coaching sport obtain suitable coaching and first aid qualifications before departure, as this will assist you in not only getting a job but also giving you assurance of coaching others. It is also beneficial for you to obtain umpiring/refereeing qualifications in your chosen sport in order to take advantage of the full range of work available.

If you are unable to obtain a coaching or First Aid qualification prior to your departure then don’t worry. Some schools are happy to employ people provided they have playing and coaching experience. You can also enrol on a coaching and First Aid course upon arrival in your chosen destination.

Really keen participants can also join a local sports club should you wish to play as well as coach sport during your programme and really make the most of your time and skill.

Sport is a wonderful way to discover a new culture. By combining playing or coaching sport with a gap year, you become integrated into a local community with their sports club or academy and become a second family. Playing or coaching sport provides a framework for your time away. Supplement this with travel, work experience and a whole new group of friends and that’s gap year experience in a nutshell.

People that are passionate about sport and travel can really make the most of their time overseas. Many gap year companies can organise regular social events and excursions, which ensure a fantastic experience for all, whilst ensuring you are always in touch with peers and local people alike. Gap year mentors also assist participants in finding work, dealing with any issues that may arise and co-ordinating travel plans – a real commitment to a personal experience.

So if you are passionate about sport and travel, then why not spend your Gap Year playing and coaching sport in exotic locations around the world.

Sport Lived organise sporting Gap Year programmes in exotic locations around the world. Play or coach your favourite sports and enjoy the excitement of living overseas. www.SportLived.co.uk



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John Kortex asked:


Sports are something that we should all attempt to incorporate into our lives no matter what our age. As we age, it is easy to convince ourselves that sports shouldn’t be a part of our daily lives, but they should! The more active we are, the better we will feel, the better we feel the more rewarding our lives will be. People who continue to play sports all their lives despite feeling the effects of aging will have more energy, better health, and a great outlook on life. Feeling good is the only way to really live, and you can feel great when you incorporate sports into your life at any age.

If you’ve always played sports, you should continue to do so as you age. When you continue to play you are able to hold onto muscle mass and bone density that often causes issues later in life. When you keep moving by playing sports your body will stay as young as possible. Sure, you might not be able to run ten miles cross country as quickly as you once could, or you might have to run just five miles at a time, but there is no reason not to run just because you are aging. If you enjoy playing baseball softball, you might be more exhausted after the game, but you can still play and it’s very beneficial to do so! Basketball is the same way, perhaps you can’t play with all the young kids anymore, but you can get involved with a senior league that will allow you to keep moving, and keep playing the sports that you love.

Playing sports as you age also gives people a great social outlet. Playing sports typically keeps you in touch with other people who like some of the same activities as you. After games it can be fun to go out to lunch or dinner, or just out for a cup of coffee. Not only will staying in the game as you age keep you healthy and fit, it will also keep you in the social circles that you’ve always enjoyed. A perfect balance of a healthy lifestyle and good friends is enough to make anyone really love their life and want to live it to the fullest.

If you are just getting into sports because you have the time now that you’ve retired, it’s still something you can do. You might want to check with your doctor before you try anything too intense, but there are a lot of great senior sports leagues out there that will give you just enough of the sport that you like to keep you fit and healthy. Sports are something we should all incorporate into our lives no matter what our age. When you’re old and you don’t play, you’re really missing out because if you don’t use it, you lose it!



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John Perry asked:


Playing sports is a lot of fun. It’s one of the most exhilarating activities that you can do. Not only is it fun, though; it’s also healthy.

Playing sports can also be a form of body and mind exercise. It can strengthen your muscles and your bones. It also improves your thinking abilities since sports activities hone your mind in matters of strategy and technique.

In fact, playing sports is such a great activity that it can even improve your personality in the aspects of fairness and good sportsmanship. However, that’s not to say that there are no downsides to playing sports.

Playing sports can be quite dangerous especially if you’re inexperienced. If any accidents occur when you’re playing sports, the effects can range from mild to serious. You can either get a minor bruise, a moderately severe sprain, or an injury that you will have to live with for the rest of your life. You might even sustain an injury that could cost you your life. So, it’s quite important to know how to avoid these sports injuries in the first place.

The Proper Gear

The first thing to do when you play sports is to prepare all the equipment that you will need. Your equipment includes not only the balls, the nets and such necessary implements but also your protective equipment.

For example, in football (which is arguably one of the roughest sports) there are a lot of protective gears that you need to put on. The first and probably the most important one is the helmet which is protection for your head or your cranium.

Helmets differ depending on the sport you’re going to play. Football helmets are much bulkier than other helmets. For one thing, football helmets are complete with a face guard and they almost completely cover the head.

There are other protective equipment like ankle guards, shoulder pads, shin guards, mouth guards, and knee caps. All of these are designed to protect the important parts of the body from any injury.

If you participate in football, chances are high that you’ll be falling a lot. All these pads cushion your body whenever you fall or forcibly collide with another player. They therefore help in preventing bone fractures or sprains. Such equipment may be bulky and heavy and they might prevent you from moving freely but, then again, isn’t it always better to be safe than sorry?

Get a Physical

You need to consult with your doctor before you become active in any sports activity. Get a physical exam. This is a precautionary activity that is usually required of professional athletes. It wouldn’t hurt to follow their example even if you only plan on playing football with your weekend buddies.

Warm Ups

Before doing anything strenuous, you have to warm up your body. Some people forgo doing warm-ups because they think that it’s too troublesome; they’re too impatient and want to get into the game the game immediately.

But this shouldn’t be so. Warm-ups are incredibly important because they condition the body for the work-out that it’s going to receive. Also, contrary to what other people think, warm-ups don’t necessarily mean stretching. In fact, stretching should be saved until after you’ve warmed your body up a little since if you stretch yourself too much, you might end up tearing a few ligaments.

The first thing that you should do when you’re warming up is to take a light jog. Then, when you’re done, start stretching your muscles starting from the head down. You can start by rotating your neck, then your shoulders, then your arms, then your waist, your hips, your legs, and then your foot. Sixteen counts on each body part should do.

All in all, warm-ups should last for 15 to 30 minutes. Stretching helps by improving the blood circulation in the said body parts and also by increasing the body’s temperature. That way, once you get into the field, your body will be more than ready to accommodate all the strenuous tasks that it will have to do.

Strength Training and Bodybuilding Exercises

If you want to be in top form when you play, your body must be in top form, too. Aside from giving you the required energy for sports, though, a well-honed body is also more resilient, more flexible and, therefore, less susceptible to sports injuries. Therefore, you should have strength training and regular bodybuilding exercises.

Practice

To avoid sports injuries, you’d do well to be good in your chosen sports. Thus, you’d better practice, practice and practice some more. Of course, do not do this without proper supervision. If no one qualified is there to supervise, no one would be able to tell you whether what you’re doing is right or wrong.

Following Rules

Rules are there for a reason. Usually, they’re qualified into two: rules made for scores or points and rules made for common courtesy. You see, some sports can be dangerous and there are some rules that are put in there for the sake of minimizing injuries and accidents.

Some rules in football that are focused on safety involve the types of blocking and tackling. If you block the opponent by grabbing him by his face mask, then your move will be considered illegal. Also, there’s a rule that prohibits tackling from behind and tackling using the top of your helmet. These rules are made for the official football league but they should also be used in informal games.

Safe Venue

Of course, when you play sports, you have to choose a safe place to play. When you’re playing rough contact sports like football, it’s best if you choose to play on a grass field. It won’t help if you play on concrete because if some accident does happen, falling on the cold, hard concrete will only make the fall harder.

Body Mechanics

When playing sports, you should employ what’s called “body mechanics”. Body mechanics maximizes your body’s potential for movement even as it minimizes the stress that it sustains.

For example, when jumping, make sure to bend or flex your knees to lessen the chance of joint dislocation when you land. Learn all about the techniques that can make falling easier and less severe on your body.

Constant Awareness

Also, when you play sports, you must constantly be aware of what’s happening around you. It won’t help if you’re not cooperating with your teammates.

For example, if two of you are trying to catch the ball, pay attention or you might crash into each other. If someone’s planning to tackle you, try to dodge. Evading is way better than getting hit since the latter leads to injuries.

Muscle Straining

It’s inevitable that your muscles will start to hurt when you play. Muscle pain is oftentimes normal, but that doesn’t mean that you have to ignore it. Never play through the pain because it will aggravate your condition. Take a break when your muscles start hurting. Rest the body part that hurts. It will also help if you elevate it. For example, if your leg is hurting, prop it up on a pillow or two.

It’s perfectly understandable to want to get right back in the game after you’ve sustained an injury especially if it’s an important game. But you have to remember that safety always comes first. If you disregard your injuries, it might get worse and the damage might become irreversible.

Sports are fun and all but that doesn’t mean that you have to give up your body in order to play them. Remember that there are things that are more important in life, like your own safety and wellbeing. Be wise when playing sports, have fun but don’t let it cloud your judgment.



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Mike Singh asked:


In order to reduce the risk of injury while exercising it is important for one to have flexible joints and toned muscles. This can be achieved by doing simple stretching exercises that form the basis of most workout routines.

The main goal should be to attain a wide range of motion and exercise according to your body type and fitness levels. There are several ways to achieve this goal.

One way is to do a short warm up before starting any routine. This helps to keep the joints and muscles flexible and more elastic while at the same time also enables a safer and higher intensity workout.

Cold muscles often tear or get stretched leading to acute pain so it is always recommended to do some stretching exercises before beginning any vigorous exercise. Even ten to fifteen minutes of basic stretching exercises or low impact jogging is enough to get the joints and muscles toned.

There are different kinds of stretching exercises which can be very useful. Static stretching is the more old fashioned stretch which involves stretching the arms, trunk, legs or neck and holding them for around 30 seconds. Dynamic stretching and ballistic stretching on the other hand involve more vigorous weight assisted or bouncing style stretches where extra force might be applied.

Dynamic stretches can even include holding your arms out sideways and twisting them from left to right across the front of the body and repeating for 30 seconds. Another interesting technique involves the use of a short bar that is placed across the neck with the support of the shoulders. The hands should be placed on the bar and then the body is bent slowly to the left and then the right so that the head is moved towards the edge of the foot.

For abdominal exercises, using a large rubber ball is very effective. One should lie backwards on the ball and slowly raise the arms above the neck and repeat 10 times. If you want to loosen the pressure on the hamstrings then you can lie on your back and raise one leg upward and stretch. You can even take the help of a towel by wrapping it around the leg that is outstretched and pull the ends toward you slowly.

If you want a full back stretch, lie on your back and bring both knees to the chest. Clasp both hands around the knees and gently rock your body so that when you roll forward your feet hit the floor and when you roll backwards your head touches the floor. Repeat this exercise at least 10 times.

In order to tone the groin muscles you can also make use of a large rubber ball. Place one knee on the ball and slowly rotate the ball backwards and forwards just a few inches away from your body.

Touching your toes is an excellent warm-up exercise to stretch the leg and back muscles. However, people who suffer from problems pertaining to the lower back should first consult an experienced physician before attempting these exercises.

The key to flexible and supple joints and muscles is to do stretching exercises at least a few times a week. This will not only help to decrease the risk of injury but will help you attain maximum flexibility.



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David Fishman asked:


If you don’t have high quality running shoes, you are on your way to the foot doctor, the knee doctor, or the hip doctor. All feet roll inwards as the ball of the foot touches the ground. You will need to look at the duration and location of your runs, your foot type and your gait, and also where you should buy your running shoes. It is important to make sure that the sole flexes easily where the foot flexes. Getting to know different types of trail running shoes before buying is helpful. The rule of thumb or average thought of consideration when buying these runners is to understand that a trail runner is usually used on a path, in an area that has a rougher terrain than the average city or gym runner would experience. You’ll find that trail running shoes have a low or lower heal then average runners. For this kind of running, you will need to find the best trail runner to suit your individual needs.

A basic pair is perfect for those who are running less than 10 miles total spread out over a few days in the week. A good pair of running shoes can be an important investment that can vary in style and function. If you check a few things while purchasing discounted women’s running shoes, you can easily find the right pair for you. The key components of a perfect pair of running shoes are cushioning, stability and durability. Finding the perfect pair of running shoes is part science and part art, with a healthy dose of research thrown in. This is the key, there is no one best pair of running shoes for everyone. Before buying, be aware that some men’s and women’s models may appear to look the same as your present pair or look a lot like last years discount model.

A running shoe needs to absorb shock and control motion, while also offering flexibility and durability. Shoes with motion control are especially recommended for women with flat feet. A shoe with control provides a good grip while the woman is in motion or halting, thereby reducing foot injuries and falls.

Running shoe have gained a fair amount of popularity is a motion control. Many companies do market studies, see what type of shoe you are most likely to buy, what you do not appreciate, to mention two considerations. They have broken the choices down to shop by foot type or by the type of shoe you prefer, referring to cushioning or lightweight.

Popular brands like Adidas, New Balance, Nike and Reebok often offer good discounts to dispose of their old stock. Nike Air was the first to incorporate an air bubble into the heel of the shoe.



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