Comprehensive Sports Guide: Rules, Conditioning & Equipment

Athletic mastery depends on understanding official gameplay rules, optimizing equipment technology, and implementing sport-specific conditioning drills.

Woman Swimming Freestyle

The Muscle Groups Worked by Freestyle Swimming

Freestyle swimming, also known as the front crawl stroke, involves movements that work muscles throughout your midsection, upper and lower body. Strengthening individual muscle groups can help improve your form and efficiency of the freestyle swimming stoke. .

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i won this competition!

The Benefits of Swimmer's Gloves

Unlike most sports, swimming doesn’t require much in the way of equipment. Swimmers typically take to the pool for competitions in a swimsuit, goggles and a swim cap. Yet during practice, swimmers often wear extra accessories, like swimming gloves, to assist with their training.

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Man swinging golf club, rear view

Should the Left Leg Straighten on the Downswing in Golf?

One of the controversial aspects of Tiger Woods' golf swing is the way he straightens his left leg before impact. The schools of thought on Tiger's move differ between whether his motion provides more power, or leads to leg and knee injuries like the ones Tiger has suffered.

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Young man holding a football near a goal post

What Happens When a Goalie Comes Out of the Box in a Soccer Game?

The penalty area, also known as the 18-yard box, clearly defines where on the field a goalie may handle the ball. A goalkeeper can leave his box whenever he likes, but it always carries an element of risk. Few coaches, players or spectators feel comfortable when their goalie strays too far.

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Football

5 Types of Soccer Passes

Soccer is a fast-paced game requiring speed, good footwork skills and accurate passing. The kind of pass you choose to execute depends on the defense and positioning of your opponents.

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Friends playing volleyball

How to Determine a Carry in Volleyball

A volleyball carry is sometimes referred to as a catch, lift or throw. The rules for a carry are spelled out in the official rules of the game and it is the responsibility of the referee to determine if a player has violated a ball-handling rule.

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soccer ball and shoes

Regulations for Soccer Cleats

Soccer cleats are worn by players to help them gain traction on various playing surfaces, including grass, sand and clay. Like most soccer equipment, the cleats must conform to several regulations. These regulations are instituted to maintain a safe playing environment for all players.

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Women Boxing Together At Gym

Will Boxing Get You Ripped?

If you look at professional boxers, it seems reasonable that boxing will give you the cut, defined and impressive muscles the boys in the gym call "ripped." However, remember that professional boxers do a lot more about their fitness and physique than box.

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Man passing a basketball

Five Different Types of Basketball Passes

Passing the ball in basketball requires touch, vision, dexterity and strength. Good teams have players who look to pass the ball to the open player to take the ball to the basket or get a good look for a jump shot. You can pass the ball effectively in several ways.

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Blisters From Playing Basketball

Basketball requires an excessive amount of running and jumping. The constant movement and lower-body trauma can lead to a number of injuries, from twisted ankles to shin splints and sprained knees.

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Male jogging by road in rural landscape

How to Train for a Marathon in 5 Months

Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned veteran, five months gives you plenty of prep time to train for and complete a full marathon. Before even considering a 26.2-mile race, develop a base of running three to four days per week for six months or longer.

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Football Basic Skills and Techniques

Football often comes down to the strategy that a team employs at the end of close games. Out-think and out-execute your opponent at crucial moments, and your team often will find a way to win. However, competing hard on a consistent basis requires focusing on the fundamentals of the game.

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Cardio Time

Differences Between Athletes & Nonathletes

Outside appearance may be the most obvious difference between an athlete and nonathlete. Athletic types tend to have more muscles and less body fat than more sedentary people.

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Swimming With 2nd Degree Burns

Healing a second degree burn remains no trivial matter. Characterized by broken skin and deeper damage to the epidermis, second degree burns prove more serious than first degree burns.

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Cheerleader yelling through megaphone, low angle, side view

College Cheerleading Tryout Requirements

If you have not been recruited or given a college cheerleading scholarship, many colleges still offer tryouts for their squads. Tryouts for college cheerleading squads usually occur in May for the following academic year.

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Women's soccer

The Average Height of a Female Soccer Forward

Height can be an important aspect in all forms of athletics. A women's soccer forward is at times required to win aerial challenges and head ball toward the goal. Height can also help a soccer forward win battles with defenders for loose balls.

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Basketball Slam Dunk

How to Slam Dunk if You Can Touch the Net

As a basketball player, you have likely dreamed of throwing down a monster dunk. Sports highlights are filled with spectacular dunks by high-flying basketball players who make it look easy. While genetics sometimes plays a part, dunking a basketball requires great physical strength and mental training.

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