The sport of football is so deeply ingrained in our collective psyche that hundreds of books have been written on the subject, movies that have been filmed to document the ups and downs of a football player’s life, and even images of the high school football jock that abound in almost all forms of mass media.The game attracts millions of faithful enthusiasts, who troop to the games and cheer their throats hoarse for their favorite players, and many kids dream of becoming big time football players in the future, because of the relative affluence and popularity that is often associated with professional football players. Moreover, for parents who are themselves fans of the game, the possibility of their child getting into the professional league is indeed an attractive one and yet, the question still lingers, is football the right sport for your kid? Because while playing football can impart valuable life lessons on courage, responsibility and collective action that can prove invaluable to your kid’s development; football is also full of disenchantment and cynicism that can prove detrimental to your child, especially if he experiences these negative emotions early in his life. Below are some factors to consider when deciding if football is indeed the right sport for your kid.

First, parents must learn to determine if their kid really wants to play football or not. Because superb football skills are only developed through hard work and determined practice that can only be endured by kids who really love the game. Bear in mind that football is no place for those who only go to trainings or practices grudgingly or only because of their parent’s prodding. Kids who are pressured or coerced by parents or guardians to perform well in the football field will often display lackluster abilities or perhaps excellent physical attributes coupled with poor social skills which can prove detrimental in the long run, especially since football is a team sport that relies heavily on collective action, unity and teamwork.

Because football is a highly physical sport, parents must honestly evaluate their child’s physical build in order to see if his physical body can survive the rigors of regular football games and practices that can be quite exhausting and take a toll on your kid’s body and mind. Furthemore, parents must see if their child possesses the determination and competitiveness that is integral in football. Remember that learning football and playing it well requires an immeasurable amount of effort and hard work that your child must put into the game and if your child lacks these qualities, it would do well to find him another sport to play.

Baseball is a competitive sport that requires exceptional speed, hand-eye coordination and physical build in order to excel. Because one of the most popular and most important aspects of this particular game lies in the batting of the ball, even outsiders, non-players and the general public know the necessity of improving a player’s batting skills and speed.

For all baseball players from a wide variety of age groups and skill levels, a good batting average is crucial to building up one’s baseball career. After all, nobody wants to be like the overconfident “mighty Casey of Mudville Nine” whose famous strike-out was even immortalized in a poem. In this regard, below are some tips towards improving your batting skills and speed.

Perhaps the most important thing to recognize in improving one’s batting skills and speed is the fact that nobody is born with a set of innate skills at baseball. Skill and ability are things that are gradually developed by means of rigorous practice, hard work, determination and commitment to the game. The improvement of one’s batting skills and speed ultimately relies upon the player’s own determination to continuously train himself and his optimism that his play will indeed improve over time.

Getting a reliable coach or athletic professional to measure and accurately evaluate your batting skills will prove invaluable in determining the amount of practice that you need to improve your game. For young players, it is better to invest in baseball training camps and clinics as these will provide ample opportunities for the struggling batter to improve his capacities.

Baseball professionals also recommend doing extensive research regarding the correct bat swing in order to increase your chances of hitting the ball. Once again, feedback form a professional will prove invaluable in this aspect.

During practice sessions, you can work on your swing with a lightweight fungo bat that will enable you to comprehend the mechanics of swinging. You can also opt to swing at a coat hanger since this will create a whiplash effect and is more likely to improve your hand’s reflexes and speed. You could also try out a heavier bat for your practice sessions, since this will help increase your arm strength and will undoubtedly increase your batting speed once you go back to using your regular bat. In your spare time, you might also want to read up a bit on the practices and styles of famous professional baseball players who might serve as your inspiration.

In general, hockey is a sport characterized by two opposing teams whose main objective is to get a small ball, otherwise known as a puck, into the adversary’s goal by means of a long curved stick specifically designed for this purpose. With millions of fans the world over, this sport is one of the most popular in the globe, and many games are attended by people who are attracted to the fast-paced and energetic gameplay, as well as the sheer skill and athleticism of the hockey players.

Recently, hockey has also increased in popularity as a pastime among youngsters who just want to experience the thrill of the game. There are two main varieties of hockey: the more popular ice hockey and the second one called street hockey. For the benefit of those who are unable to distinguish the differences between the two, a short comparison is provided below.

Quite simply, ice hockey is hockey played on ice. Games are typically played indoors on a specialized rink covered with ice, which makes it easier for the puck to glide from player to player. Cold countries with harsh winters and ice covers, including:

• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Canada
• Finland
• Norway
• Latvia
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• USA
• Russia
• Switzerland

These countries are usually the ones that attract the most ice hockey enthusiasts. The game requires many expensive special equipment such as special ice hockey skates that provide the maximum speed for sliding on ice,  mandatory  protective outerwear such as helmets, hockey shorts and pads (necessary because ice hockey is a full-body contact game where insufficiently protected players can sustain serious injuries), ice hockey sticks and pucks. The cost of a single game can run to astronomical amounts especially if all the equipment and the venue necessary are taken into consideration.

On the other hand, street hockey is a more informal form of hockey that is played on inland flat surfaces such as asphalted lots, parking spaces or other outdoor areas. Perhaps the most significant difference in ice hockey and street hockey lies in the equipment necessary for each game. While ice hockey requires tons of equipment, street hockey players are often equipped with only roller skates (some players even run on foot), some knee pads, a helmet, an inexpensive hockey stick and a puck that is much lighter in weight if compared to the one used in ice hockey. Full body contact can happen in street hockey but not as often if compared to the ones that occur during ice hockey games.

In general, street hockey is more inexpensive and more accessible to the common man if compared to ice hockey especially with regards to the game’s venue and equipment needed.

Basketball remains as one of the top sports played and patronized all over the world, with millions of players and loyal fans who watch pro basketball games religiously. From street basketball played in alleys and ghettos to big time professional basketball leagues battling it out in enormous arenas, this particular sport has indeed carved its own niche into our collective consciousness.

In the United States along, the National Basketball Association continues to attract legions of fans, big-shot sponsors and franchise owners who support the league, while thousands of teens all over the country dream of someday making it big and becoming an NBA superstar, in the tradition of basketball greats such as Patrick Ewing or Michael Jordan who continue to be household names even decades after their respective careers reached their peaks.

For many parents, getting their sons or daughters into professional basketball is seen as a ticket to affluence, with some of the NBA’s biggest stars earning millions of dollars year after year, not to mention all the advertising, TV and film offers that come their way. Below are some tips on how to get into professional basketball leagues and get a chance to make name in basketball’s prestigious history.

First of all, keep in mind that getting into pro-basketball is not a bed of roses. The road to the pros is a rough one riddled with rejection, criticism and tons of negative impact that could easily discourage the weak-hearted. Remember that in order to make it, you must persevere through all difficulties and display exemplary discipline, hard work and determination.

Also, it always pays to have a second career ready just in case you don’t make it to the professional leagues. In short, having a good education that will prepare you for another job is always a good thing, especially since only a very few do get into professional basketball.

For parents who want their kids to get into professional basketball, do your best to train them as early as possible. That way, the basics of the game, such as dribbling, shooting, assists and other skills will become second-nature to them and make it easier for them to develop the physique and motor skills so valued in the game.

Youngsters can also take advantage of basketball clinics or training programs that can help them develop or improve their basketball skills. For basketball players, make sure that you play every chance you get, including at street basketball sessions with friends or family. These games will not only develop your skills but will also challenge you in facing many tough competitors and fellow players.

Getting into a college with an exceptional basketball team is also crucial in getting into the pros, since NBA scouts and coaches often drop by the collegiate level games, hoping to spot the next big NBA star.