Comprehensive Sports Guide: Rules, Conditioning & Equipment

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

Basketball Free Throw

The Distance From the Hoop to the Free Throw Line in Basketball

The size of a basketball court varies among leagues. A professional court is larger than a high school court. Other court dimensions, such as the 3-point line, also vary. The distance of the free-throw line from the hoop is the same for all levels of play, except international competitions.

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Percentage & Statistics for Football Players & Serious Injury

Football at the collegiate level produces the greatest amount of catastrophic injuries compared with any other sport, according to the Annual Survey of Catastrophic Football Injuries. The majority of catastrophic football injuries are associated with defensive players blocking and tackling.

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View of sun shining on lake from patio with swimming pool

The Length of a Lap Pool

Residential pools come in all shapes and sizes, but lap pools and competition pools usually conform to certain standard dimensions. Pools that have the correct dimensions can host national or international competitions.

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Man holding weight

Evander Holyfield and Weight Training

Former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is considered a small heavyweight compared with some of the behemoths that populate the division, dating from the early 1990s. Holyfield had to build up his 190-lb. cruiserweight body with a carefully targeted weight-training program to get to 215 lbs.

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Members Of Female High School Soccer Playing Match

Grants for Athletic Programs

Budget cuts and decreasing philanthropic donations have reduced the amount of funding available for athletic programs. If you have exhausted your fundraising efforts, consider writing a grant proposal. Organizations continue to offer grant funding for athletic programs.

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Woman in pool wearing swim cap

Which Is a Better Swimming Workout: With Fins or Without?

Swimming fins, sometimes called flippers, can be a useful training tool. Like all exercise equipment, however, they have their pros and cons. A consideration of all the aspects involved, as well as the different types of fins, is important for you to decide whether or not you're going to use them in your training.

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basketball player waiting

Energy Systems Used in Basketball

Three energy systems -- commonly referred to as metabolic pathways -- are responsible for the chemical reactions within cells and tissues during exercise and sports. These energy systems include the phosphagen, glycolytic and oxidative pathways.

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Hockey

Why Are All Field Hockey Sticks Right Handed?

Field hockey sticks are typically between 36 and 38 inches in length and are traditionally made out of wood. According to the rules of the International Hockey Federation, left-handed field hockey sticks are illegal for use in sanctioned competitions or field hockey tournaments.

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bike repair or adjustment

Correct Size for Bicycle Disc Brakes

Disc brakes are one of the main types of bicycle braking systems. Disc brakes are made of a metal disc attached to the wheel hub. The disc braking system includes a caliper that squeezes the brake pads against the wheel, causing the tire to stop rotating. Disc brakes can be hydraulic or cable driven.

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Young boy dribbling basketball

How to Get Better With the Left Hand in Basketball

Many basketball players, even some of the pros, favor their strong-side hand -- the hand you write with, eat with and generally feel more comfortable using -- when dribbling the ball. And if you're a supremely skilled dribbler with your right hand, you can make up for some of your one-sided ball handling.

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Man on bike

The Best Bicycle for Tall Men

Tall men may have a bit of a challenge in finding a comfortable, well-fitted bike. No matter what type of bike you're in the market for, whether a road, mountain, touring or cyclocross bike, most manufacturers cater to the most common heights of men, from around 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet. Although there is no single "

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Members Of Female High School Soccer Playing Match

Grants for Nonprofit Youth Sports

Grant money can be used to obtain equipment, train your coaches and to pay fees for players that would otherwise be unable to participate. The availability and type of grant differs depending on your location.

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Female School Sports Team In Gym With Medals

Creative Basketball Award Certificate Ideas

Many athletic coaches present their players with awards at the season's end. Award certificates can celebrate individual accomplishments or highlight the players' personalities.

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Sierra Mountains California USA

Women's Giant Sedona Bicycle Review

Giant Bicycle Inc. first developed their Women’s Sedona model in 2007, and have continued to manufacture it every year since. Considered a hybrid bike, it’s designed for women to use for both on- and off-road biking.

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Golfer practicing and concentrating before and after shot

What Is a Uniflex Shaft?

Golf shafts feature several characteristics you should consider when purchasing a club or a set of clubs. In addition to obvious factors such as the shaft’s composition, weight and length, you should consider its flexibility, as well.

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Close-up of a young woman playing tennis

The Best-Rated Women's Tennis Rackets

Designed to complement a player’s strengths, a tennis racket can increase performance when selected for its characteristics that highlight power, control and comfort. The best tennis rackets allow a natural forehand swing, with a loose relaxed arm.

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