Athletic mastery depends on understanding official gameplay rules, optimizing equipment technology, and implementing sport-specific conditioning drills.
Due to a quirk in the way standings are calculated throughout a baseball season, the lead one team has over another is often described in half-games. For example, one team will have a half-game lead over another. The quirk is simple to understand in the context of how standings are compiled.
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Carbon fiber bicycles are becoming increasingly popular now that improved techniques in manufacturing have brought the prices down. Made of woven carbon fibers sealed within epoxy resin, carbon frames are both strong and light.
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When a flip-flop goes rogue, accidents can happen. If your foot slips out of this summer shoe or if you turn an ankle, you could end up with a foot or ankle injury. Despite the potential risks, this open sandal continues to be a summer favorite.
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When winter hits, many people in the northern latitudes like to escape to warmer climates. Among them are the islands of the Caribbean, including the Bahamas. While the Bahamas is somewhat colder than during the summer, as it is still above the equator, the water remains relatively warm even during February.
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Cycling is an accessible sport that helps hone your cardiovascular fitness and enhances your health, but is not without drawbacks. Low-impact and beginner-friendly, cycling is accessible to most people. However, you have to incur the cost of equipment, hope for sunny days and watch for dangers on the road.
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There are many traditional field day games that are fun for adults. Mix up the activities to include races, ball-based games and, if weather permits, water-based events. Plan activities that encourage friendly competition and are suitable for all physical levels.
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Double-end punching bags are a great training tool for developing rhythm, hand-eye coordination and punching distance. They train both offense and defense maneuvers and promote fast reaction times. Hooking up a double-end bag requires two anchor points for suspending the bag between bungee cords.
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Boxing gloves are simple and effective in design, offering protection both to the puncher and to the opponent being hit. Boxing gloves reduce the impact of punches by increasing the duration of each blow and spreading the impact force over a wider area than a naked first would.
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The relationship between miles per hour (MPH) and revolutions per minute (RPM) is useful for learning how to pace when cycling. Many stationary bikes and outdoor bikes have technology that provides metrics. However, you may find it necessary and helpful to manually convert between MPH and RPM readings.
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The ability to jump requires not just strength but power, which is a combination of speed and strength. To lift your body weight into the air, your muscles must contract quickly and forcefully. Athletes spend many hours training to increase the height of their vertical jump.
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Traditionally, player numbers in soccer are associated with a specific position. Teams are free to assign numbers as they choose, so there's a lot of variation from tradition.
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During a back handspring, you jump backwards to land on your hands and kick your feet over your head. It's mostly seen in gymnastics, but other athletes such as martial artists do it too. A large part of performing back handsprings is conquering the fear of going end over end.
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If you're a basketball player who likes the idea of a tight layer of fabric around your leg muscles, compression tights or shorts may be for you. As of 2013, it's debatable if they actually help your performance or health.
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Michael Phelps retired from competition in 2012 as the most successful Olympic athlete to date. Phelps won 22 Olympic medals, including 18 gold medals, according to USA Swimming.
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When you're getting ready to hit the pool with your not-yet-potty-trained little one, finding that you forgot to pack the swim diapers creates a dilemma. You might consider putting on a regular diaper and hoping for the best. But pools insist on swim diapers for both safety and sanitary reasons.
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Preparation will help make your infant's swim class a positive experience. Determine that he is ready for swimming lessons before registering for classes, and in the days and weeks before lessons begin, help your baby learn to enjoy the water and encourage him to feel comfortable in the swimming pool.
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As with all chemically treated hair, permed hair must be treated with care to maintain a healthy look. The hair shaft is left more vulnerable to moisture after being permed, because the chemicals used in the process open up the cuticle. Permed hair therefore requires a resting period to strengthen up again.
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Heel lift in a snowboard boot is when your toes are held snug in the boot, but your ankle and heel slide up and down loosely. Heel lift is never a good thing and can end up causing your ankles a lot of pain or even injury.
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Perfecting a golf swing requires repetition in order to hit the ball accurately. Although you can practice your swing with regular golf balls at a driving range, practice golf balls are designed to allow you to work on your swing in more limited quarters, such as your backyard or indoors.
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If you don't dry your snowboard off after every use, you're bound to get some rust on the edges of your board. Tuning up your board regularly will increase your board's performance and give it a longer life.
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