Hockey

How To Select The Right Hockey Stick

There have been tremendous strides over the last couple of years in hockey sticks and on the surface, sticks would seem to be the most basic piece of equipment. In reality though, if you're not careful, choosing the right stick can also become one of the most confusing hockey equipment purchases you can make.

While other pieces of gear either fit or don't fit, the stick really just doesn't fit neatly in a simple little package. Sticks today come in a number of materials and designs, that in and of themselves can be overwhelming.

The overall selection of a stick is as much a matter of personal taste as the type of pop you drink or whether you're a meat or salad type of person. What I hope to do over the next couple of articles, is to try help you narrow that decision down.

At its simplest, it's important to remember that the hockey stick is an extension of the hockey player's arm. This means the stick has to fit properly, and the length, curve and lie angle need to match the size and body type of the player as well as the style of game they play. What I'm going to try to do, is cover as many of the different factors to consider when buying a hockey stick as I can. Because in the end, a good hockey stick fits both your level of play, your strength and playing style.

One thing I do want to mention before we get started however, is a bit of a qualifier for many of you. In the end, no matter what technology comes built into the stick. No matter what blade pattern, "flex-rating" or lie of the blade, It's crucial to remember that basic shooting mechanics are still king. None of the technology built into today's sticks should ever be a replacement to the basic fundamentals of shooting and passing, but rather an enhancement of these core capabilities

Where to begin...

There have been some tremendous strides in stick technologies, from the time when I was a kid playing the game. Sticks are now available in a wide array of materials ranging from all wood sticks, to full Kevlar and Carbon Fibre. Prices are all over the map ranging from an entry-level simple stick costing around $20 to the latest, high-end one piece sticks surpassing the $ 250.00+ mark.

The Original - Wood Sticks

Believe it or not, with all of the emphasis on the high-end one-piece composite sticks available, the good old wooden stick is still out there and still very popular amongst a wide range of players.

Many players just won't make the switch primarily because it's what they know and they're comfortable with the feel. Even with all of the technological advances, it's still tough to create a composite stick that feels quite as nice as that of good old wood.

If your children are like my son, unfortunately wood sticks are just not "cool". The biggest drawback to a wood stick is straight-up durability. Bottom line, wood sticks tend to just wear out quicker Another consideration comes in while shooting. In order to truly shoot the puck hard, you need to be able to flex the shaft and get a good pop on your shot. Unfortunately the fibres in wooden sticks just do not provide that same level of flexibility and the spring that you need in releasing a shot.

Personally though, until a beginner level player really understands proper shot mechanics, stick handling and the other basic fundamentals, they're just not going to make use of all of the technology in a high-end stick. So when you look at it pragmatically, there really isn't much point in spending big bucks on a composite stick.

Like everything else however, there is always a potential exception. For those children playing elite level hockey, there may in fact be a case to say they will gain some benefit from the lighter weight of a composite stick.

Two Piece Shafts and Blades

The first real two-piece shafts and blades were introduced into the market made of aluminum. Over time however, the two-piece shaft and blade is now available in a wide array of materials including carbon fibre, graphite and Kevlar. At the lower price point ranges, many of the shafts are pure fibreglass which does make the stick a bit heavier and more prone to breakage.

In fact, with all of the hi-tech materials available, along with designs that include hollow cores, many of the two-piece sticks are a good deal lighter than their traditional wooden stick counterparts. The type of blade selected can also change the weight a bit, but typically these offerings will still weigh less than a wooden stick.

One of the positive things about newer two-piece technologies is better performance and longevity that ensure nearly the same flex and pop for the entire life of the stick. The pop in a composite shaft may fade slightly over time, but nothing like what takes place in a wooden stick.

The major drawback however, is that with a composite stick or shaft, you generally won't know it's going to break until you are holding a separate piece of stick in each hand. Also, even an inexpensive shaft and blade will cost twice what a wooden stick goes for.

The biggest factor in choosing a two-piece combination is the selection of the type of blade. In most instances the blade choice will determine just how much durability you're going to get in a two-piece. Reinforced wooden blades are among least expensive available. Like with their wooden stick brethren, these blades will give a good feel for the puck, but generally last the average player no more than a few months at best.

The Latest One-Piece Designs

As we've mentioned, the most recent one-piece stick offerings now really refer to the high-end, usually very expensive, featherweight, composite offerings. In other words, the sticks my son seems to gravitate to every time. Each of the major manufacturers seems to have their own unique offering, from holes in the shaft, to a spine on the blade, to elliptical and even triangular shafts.

In plain truth, there is more than a little evidence to show that a truly good player will notice a more powerful shot with a one-piece stick. In fact, given the array of options usually available, the new one-piece stick offerings can give a child playing elite level hockey, who understands their shot mechanics, a very real boost in accuracy and performance. The price of one-piece sticks is usually comparable to that of a two-piece at the entry-level, but does top out significantly higher. Usually in the $ 220.00 + and higher range.

To me personally, the biggest drawback to the one-piece stick is their position as the most expensive product going. The big issue I see at the Rep level of hockey, is that our children become brand conscious very quickly and won't consider anything other than the latest and greatest product from manufacturer "x ". They have no clue really why they want it, other than the brand name. Also, for the most part, until they get to the "Major Atom" or "Minor Pee Wee" level they won't truly take advantage of most of the built-in technology.

For many of the mainstream one-piece stick manufacturers, there is some evidence to show puck feel does degrade over time. Some of the manufacturers suffer from this more than others. Every year these sticks keep getting lighter and lighter as technology continues to advance. Most of the R&D money is going into this segment of the stick world, so continue to watch as these products continue to evolve and change. In the next article, I'll talk more about selecting the right stick for your game. We'll look at the size and flexibility of the shaft, choosing the right lie and blade pattern. We'll also talk a bit about the attributes of several of the different patterns available on the market, to help you understand what might make the most sense for you or your kids.

Basketball

The Greatest New York Knicks of All-Time

Some of the greatest players to have worn the Knicks jersey are Patrick Ewing, Earl Monroe, Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Harry Gallatin and Dave Debusschere. All are deserving candidates to be on the list for the greatest Knicks of all-time. I would rank the greatest Knicks of all-time as Walt Frazier, Patrick Ewing and Willis Reed.

No. 3: Walt Frazier (1967 - 1977)

This basketball hall of famer earned two NBA Championships, seven NBA-All Star appearances, seven time All-NBA Defensive Team honors and six All-NBA Team selections. Frazier also holds the record for most assists in franchise history (4,791). He helped lead the Knicks to their first ever title in 1970 with a notable performance of 36 points and 19 assists against the Lakers in game seven of the Finals. The flamboyant point guard was also a member of New York's 1973 championship team. He ranks second in most points, games and minutes in Knicks history. He had very high defensive standards and was always a leader on the court.

No. 2: Patrick Ewing (1985 - 2000)

For fifteen seasons Patrick Ewing dedicated his life to the New York Knicks. His exceptional work ethic helped lead the Knicks to thirteen consecutive playoff appearances. Ewing was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1986 and was an eleven-time NBA All Star, seven-time All-NBA Team selection and three-time All-Defensive Team selection. He is the all-time Knicks leader in points scored, minutes, games, field goals, free throws, defensive rebounds, steals and blocks. It's hard to believe that a great player such as Ewing went to the playoffs thirteen times and didn't win a title, which is the main reason he is ranked second instead of first on this list.

No. 1: Willis Reed (1964 - 1974)

Willis Reed was the backbone of the NY Knicks when they won NBA titles in 1970 and 1973. His memorable career as a Knick resulted in seven All-Star appearances, an NBA Finals MVP, an NBA MVP, the first ever Rookie of the Year trophy for the Knicks and five All-NBA Team selections. He will forever be remembered for showing up to play in Game 7 of the NBA Finals with a broken leg. This legendary showing of toughness gave the team the inspiration and motivation needed to win the game. Reed's leadership may never be replicated.

Ranking the best Knicks of all-time was no easy task. Both Frazier and Reed won two titles during their tenure, while Ewing went to 13 post seasons and has almost every record in Knicks history. I am of the belief that if a player brings a team titles it can easily outweigh statistics. With that in mind, I have no problem ranking the best New York Knick of all time as Willis Reed, one of the greatest leaders in NBA history, and winner of two NBA Championships.

Cricket

Which Test Cricket Players Have Had the Most Wickets in Their Career?

Cricket is a very stimulating game, with a long history. I want to take a look at some of the top players of all time starting with test bowlers with the highest number of wickets in their career. Here is the top five and a bit about their careers.

The number one spot goes to a player that played for eighteen years. In his eighteen years of cricket playing he had 800 wickets, a nice round number. He played for Sri Lanka and his name is Muttiah Muralitharan. He averaged a little over six-wicket takings a game. This year he received the Outstanding Achievement in Sport honor at the Asian Awards. Today, Muralitharan is a politician in his hometown.

The second test cricketer is Shane Warne. Warne had 708 wickets in his career, which lasted fifteen years. He played for Australia and will be considered as one of the top bowlers of all time. He is known for his spin on the ball and making leg spin bowling popular again. He held the record of most wickets takings from 2004 until 2007. Warne was awarded the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World in 2005.

In third place is a man named Anil Kumble. Kumble played for India and retired in 2008. During his 18-year career he had 619 wickets. He is known for claiming almost all of the Indian records. His 600th wicket came in January 2008, and he followed that with nineteen more before his retirement.

In a prestigious fourth place is a man named Glenn McGrath of Australia. McGrath retired in 2007 with 563 wickets. This man held the record for most wickets in 2005 until Kumble surpassed him in August of 2007. McGrath's bowling career lasted for 14 years, which is the shortest career of all the top 5 test bowlers.

The fifth bowler is Courtney Walsh. Walsh played for the West Indies and retired in 2001. He had 519 wickets in his 17-year career. He held the World record of most wickets in test cricket from 2000 until 2004.

Furthermore, Walsh, Warne, Muralitharan and Kumble are the only four bowlers to have bowled over 5000 overs in Test cricket. This is an impressive number, pairing it with their combine wicket takings.

In conclusion, there are many great bowlers in test cricket history. These are just five of the World's greats. I look forward to many more great cricketers to come in the near future.

10th Biggest Soccer Stadium in The World

Number #10: Borg El Arab Stadium - Alexandria, Egypt

Capacity - Around 86,000

This grass-surface stadium is the largest in Egypt and the second largest in Africa. Egypt wanted to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which is the main reason this stadium was built, although only one match in the tournament was played in this stadium - the opening match between Egypt and Trinidad and Tobago. But it did host the opening ceremony. What makes this stadium unique is that it's designing and building was undertaken by the Egyptian Armed Forces Corps of Engineers (EAFCE). Among the features of this stadium, 2 training fields, 32 restaurants, 76 staircases, 68 restrooms, along with a 200 bed hotel for the players, are the important ones.

Number #9: Bukit Jalil National Stadium - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Capacity - Around 87,500

This bowl shaped stadium was built by United Engineers Malaysia, Bhd, in 1998. Although it was initially built for the 1998 Commonwealth Games, it is now a multipurpose stadium and also the 25th largest stadium in the world. The colorful seating arrangement makes a pattern representing the national flag in motion! It is also used to host music shows and concerts, and artists like Usher, Paramore and Kelly Clarkson have performed here.

Number #8: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium - Jakarta, Indonesia

Capacity - Around 88,500

This stadium is named after the first President of Indonesia, Sukarno. It was opened in 1962 and has a range of facilities like a tennis stadium, an indoor gymnasium, an archery field, an aquatics arena, a softball and a hockey field as well! The temu gelang, which is the huge ring formed by the gigantic steel roof, is the main feature of this stadium. It enhances the grandeur of the stadium. It has a grass surface and cost an amazing $12,500,000 to build!

Number #7: Wembley Stadium - London, England

Capacity - Around 90,000

This stadium needed a mind-boggling 800 million pounds to build, making it the most expensive stadium in the world! Its most famous feature is the Wembly Arch which measures 134 meters in height and has a span of 137 meters, and is quite a sight at night when it is lit up. It is a bowl shaped structure with a partially retractable roof, and the only stadium which requires beacons for low flying aircraft! Besides football, it is used to host rugby matches and music concerts. This stadium actually is rebuilt; its original structure being the Empire Stadium, which was one of the most famous soccer stadiums in the world until its demolition in 2003.

Number #6: FNB Stadium - Johannesburg, South Africa

Capacity - Around 95,000

FNB stands for First National Bank and it is named that, because of the deal with its sponsor, you guessed it right, the First National Bank! The largest stadium in Africa, its structure is similar to the African gourd/pot, which gives it the nickname "The Calabash". It was known as Soccer City during the FIFA World Cup 2010, and required around $450 million for its construction. There are a few unique things about this stadium that you may find interesting...

• Nelson Mandela gave his first speech, after his release from prison, in this stadium.
• There were originally 9 black vertical lines to align the stands in this stadium. A 10th line was added, because according to South African culture, 9 is an unlucky number.
• Chris Hani, who was a rival of the Apartheid Government in Africa, and also a leader of the South African Communist Party, was assassinated 10 April 1993. His funeral took place in this stadium.
• For special effects, it has mosaic lights in warm colors, along the bottom of the structure on the outside, to make it look like there is fire under the gourd!

Number #5: Camp Nou - Barcelona, Spain

Capacity - Around 99,500

Camp Nou was constructed in 1957 and is the largest stadium in Europe. 'Camp Nou' is actually the nickname of the stadium! Its official name was Estadi del FC Barcelona, until 2000. An interesting fact about this stadium is that when it was remodeled in 1980, the funds came from thousands of supporters who paid donations to have their names inscribed on the bricks! The 1999 Champions League final, with the thrilling last minute Manchester United comeback against Bayern Munich, was held here! Other than soccer legends, Camp Nou has hosted celebrities like Michael Jackson, U2, Pope John Paul II, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, etc.

Number #4: Azadi Stadium - Tehran, Iran

Capacity - Around 1,00,000

This is the place where you can watch the match live as well as get the experience of watching it on a BIG screen - the original scoreboard was replaced by one of the biggest televisions in the world (20m X 7.5m)! This stadium, considered to be intimidating for visiting teams, was originally built to host the 1974 Asian Games. It's a beautiful structure, sloping downwards from the stands towards the stadium, in a bowl shape. Originally named Sad-Hezar Nefari Stadium, it was called Azadi Stadium after the Iranian Revolution, since in Persian, Azadi means Freedom. It is Iran's National Stadium, fifth biggest in the world, and the largest in the Middle East.

Number #3: Estado Azteca - Mexico City, Mexico

Capacity - Around 1,05,000

This grass surface stadium, opened in May of 1996 is special for many reasons. Here are a few:

• This is the only stadium which has hosted two world cup finals! Brazil vs Italy in 1970 and Argentina vs West Germany in 1986.
• Maradona and Pele, considered to be the gods of soccer, lifted their last trophies in this stadium. Maradona lifted the FIFA World Cup Trophy, while Pele lifted The Jules Rimet Trophy.
• Maradona scored two scintillating goals of his career here, 'Goal of the Century' and 'Hand of God Goal' (yeah, the names say it all!).
• This is the largest stadium in the world which is specially dedicated to soccer.
• The 1970 semifinal (declared as the 'Match of the Century') where Italy beat West Germany(4-3) during extra time was played in this stadium.

There is also a plaque and a monument outside the stadium to immortalize the 'Goal of the century' and 'Game of the Century', respectively. Definitely deserving of its number 3 position, huh?

Number #2: Salt Lake Stadium - Kolkata, India

Capacity - Around 1,20,000

This stadium, although mainly used for football, is a multipurpose stadium. The surface is Astroturf and it has many facilities like 4 reservoirs fully equipped with fire fighting arrangements, diesel generation sets, its own water arrangement, and lighting arrangements for nocturnal sports! Also, Oliver Kahn played his last match for Bayern Munich in this stadium. The stadium is also used to host concerts, athletic events, derby matches and other important events. It also hosted the 1987 SAF Games.

Number #1: Rungrado May Day Stadium - Pyongyang, North Korea

Capacity - Around 1,50,000

This is the biggest stadium in the world that is used for soccer. It is a sprawling and humungous structure covering 2.2 million ft² of floor space and towering above the ground at 60 meters! But it is also an aesthetically pleasing stadium, with 16 arches forming a ring resembling the magnolia flower! An interesting fact about this stadium is that many North Korean army generals were burnt alive here, after being implicated for attempting to assassinate Kim Jong-II. This stadium is not dedicated only to soccer though, and it hosts many gymnastics events as well as other sports and cultural events.

Ever since the invention of soccer, it has won millions of fans for itself. Call a stadium a stadium in front of a true blue soccer fan, and you may be at the receiving end of a scornful, withering look! No people, it's not merely a stadium - it's a place where dreams are born, passions are ignited, and hearts are broken! Goose bumps, tempers, feverish chanting, absolutely crazy stuff - you gotta be there to have an indelible memory!

Basketball

How to Play Basketball?

The game of basketball was invented over a hundred and twenty years ago by Dr. James Naismith, who was a physical trainer at a YMCA center in the United States. It was raining outside, and he did not want his gym class to sit idle. So after a few thoughts and ideas, he came up with the game of basketball. Although the game has undergone a lot of changes over time, the fundamentals of how to play basketball still remain the same. Before we talk some more about this game, let us have a look at some images, which will tell us more about the equipment used and the type of shots that are played.

Basketball Equipment
To start playing the game, we need to first gather the equipment. This should be very easy as the game only requires a ball and two hoops perched at a height of ten feet at the opposite ends of a court. It is also a good idea to wear proper basketball shoes, and not any jogging pair while playing. A nice team jersey can be worn when you get better at playing and are part of your school or college team.

Basketball Court
Basketball can be played outdoors too, but the norm is to play on an indoor court on a maple-wooded highly polished floor. The size of the court varies according to the level of competition. For school games, the court size is usually 74' × 42'. High school games are mostly played on a court size of 84' × 50'. Games played according to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules are played on a court that measures 91' 10.4" × 49' 2.6". As far as the NBA is concerned, the court size is 94' × 50'. The height of the rim of the basket is 10'.

Basketball Rules
Next, we need to set the teams. There are two teams with 5 players per team. The object of the game, very obviously, is to score baskets. As for the length of the game, the famous National Basketball Association (NBA) teams play a 48-minute game with four 12-minute sessions. The length can vary based on the type of tournament and organization.

The game starts with a jump ball. A jump is when one person from each team goes in the center of the court and jumps to tip the ball to their teammates after the referee throws the ball straight up. The goal here is to direct the ball towards your team. Each goal or 'basket' is worth 2 points. However, if a basket is scored from outside the 3-point line, that is the arc-shaped line outside the free throw line, then the basket is worth 3 points. The 3-pointer distance from the basket is 23.75' in the middle of the court, and it gradually decreases to 22' at the sides. 4' around the basket is the restricted area arc where a defending player cannot force an offensive foul. The free throw line is at a distance of 15' from the backboard. A free throw that results in a basket is worth 1 point.

The game of basketball consists of offense and defense. When the ball is present with a player of your team, then all the team members of your team are on the offense. The goal here is to score points by shooting the ball into the defending team's basket. Similarly, when the ball is present with the opponent team, then all the team members of your team are on the defense. The goal here is to stop the other team from shooting the ball into your team's basket, and also to steal the ball from them so you can again attack and score.

While on the offense, you can pass on the ball either via dribble or passing. Bouncing the ball continuously and moving forward simultaneously is known as dribbling. It is important to remember here that once you have dribbled the ball past the mid court, you cannot go back into your own half. A pass can be used to advance your offense. Most passes are accompanied by a step forward to increase power and are followed through with the hands to ensure accuracy.

A dribble ends when you stop and hold the ball. If you hold the ball for more than five seconds, then you incur a penalty as well as lose possession of the ball. An attempt to unfairly disadvantage an opponent through physical contact is illegal and is called a foul. You are allowed five personal fouls per game. On committing a 6th personal foul, you have to sit out and be substituted by another player. On offense, you cannot remain in the "key" (area designated underneath and directly in front of basket) for more than 3 seconds. If there is a 3-second violation, there will be a subsequent change of possession.

Now that we know about the basketball court, equipment, scoring details, the game and the fouls, here are some basketball tips to end the article. Always shoot with both the hands. Using a single hand may look very fancy, but it is best to use both the hands for better control. It is very important to learn to dribble the ball without actually looking at the ball. Repetition is the key to improve your shooting. Lastly, quality training equipment will make the difference in your game. Well, the game is simple and the equipment is easy to procure. Now that you know how to play basketball, it is time to go out there and shoot some baskets!

Tennis Rules

Basic Tennis Rules for Kids
Tennis basics are easier to understand and follow. Enlisted below are the basic tennis rules and regulations that will be helpful. Let us take a look.

Basic Rules of Tennis #1: Toss-out the Boss
A toss with a coin or racket decides the person who would serve first or choose a side. The person who wins the toss can either take a choice or pass it on to the opponent for selection of any one of them.

Basic Rules of Tennis #2: Position
Both the players are on either side of the net on the court. The one who serves the ball is known as the server and the one who hits/returns the ball is known as the receiver. When in a singles match the server stands behind the baseline or, within the doubles sidelines in a doubles match.

Basic Rules of Tennis #3: Bounce the Ball
According to the rules of the game, the ball has to be returned within a maximum of one bounce on either sides of the court. The slightest difficult part while doing so is that, the ball has to cross the net and should be within the court boundaries. But one should also note that during the serve the ball should not touch the net and should bounce in the diagonally opposite first half of the court. If the ball bounces on the line then it is a safe ball and not a foul.

Basic Rules of Tennis #4: Scoring
If the server misses to hit the ball across the net within the first two attempts, the opponent is benefited, and he earns 15 points. When the opponent has a zero on the scoreboard its termed as a "LOVE" and the score called out be love:15. The score increases there on and increases in stages of LOVE, 15, 30 and 40. In case the score equals to 40, it is termed as a deuce. In the tennis scoring rules, the player who wins two consecutive points wins the game.

The player who bags six games the first, he is the winner of the set. And the one who clean sweeps two sets is termed as the winner of the match.

Basic Rules of Tennis #5: Clothing and Accessories
Last but not the least is the clothing accessories and the racket standardized by the professional tennis rules. The tennis equipment should be as per the norms that are preset. For example the tennis shoes should be proper so that the court is refrained from damages, blemishes or tread marks. Same is the case with the tennis rackets too. These have to bear appropriate stitches and the strings should not be broken. It should also not have any energy sources attached to it and should not have more than one stringed pattern.

These were some of the basic rules for playing tennis for kids and few of the most important ones that a kid would need to start of with. It's not as difficult as it seems. A good hand of practice will always help you be the best among your pals. Remember and adhere to these basic tennis rules and regulations and you would definitely turn you a star among your friends. It is also advisable to know the tennis terms. So what are you waiting for? Gear up and smack that ball with fire!!! Kudos!

Cricket Tips

Rules of Softball for Kids

The objective in softball is to score greater number of runs than the opposing team. Runs are scored by running between the bases after hitting the ball. Let us know more about what are bases, scoring, and other softball rules for kids through following paragraphs.

Field Dimensions
The softball field is bound by foul lines. The batters cannot hit the ball outside the area marked by these foul lines. There are two sections/parts of the field i.e. infield and outfield. The infield is generally made of dirt or brick-dust. However, grass or artificial turf can also be used for the infield. Outfield is made of grass. The infield contains a diamond-shaped area (made up of 4 bases). The lines which connect these bases are called baselines. The length of these baselines ranges from 45 - 65 feet. Pitcher's circle is at the center of this diamond-shaped area bound by baselines. The ball is pitched from the point at the center of pitcher's circle. One can easily get the setup by referring to a softball field diagram.

Bat and Ball
The bat used in softball is made of metal, wood or even a composite material like carbon fiber. Length of the bat is variable however, it should not be more than 34 inches. The diameter of bat is around 2.25 inches and it weighs around 38 oz. The ball used for playing this game is around 12 inches in the circumference; the weight of this ball ranges from 6.25 - 7.0 oz. Material used for making the core of this ball is either a mixture of rubber and cork, kapok (fiber) or a polyurethrane mixture. Two pieces of leather are sewn together to cover the core; generally a red colored thread is used to sew these pieces.

Gameplay
Batters and pitchers play an important role in the game of softball. Pitcher has to throw the ball at the batter by means of an underarm action. Batter hit the ball, he and his teammates occupying the other bases run around them and come back to the home plate (first base) to score a 'run'. The objective of opposing team is to get the batters out before they can reach the home plate. It is necessary to get out 3 batters of the opposing team. A game of softball is divided into innings; seven innings are played in a single game. This number (innings) can be 6 for youth softball games.


Innings
The opposing teams play an offense and defense once in a single innings. The team on offense has to score maximum runs while, the opposing team (defense) has to get 3 players out as quickly as possible.

Pitching
The pitching action is made after the umpire says "Play Ball". A pitching plate (made of rubber) is where the pitcher has to stand and throw the ball. As stated earlier, an underarm action is used for pitching the ball. This action is often referred to as 'windmill' action. Release of the ball should be at a level/point below the hip and while doing so throwing the ball in the strike zone of the batter is necessary. Strike zone is the area which batters use to strike the ball. If the batter misses (upon swinging the bat) despite the ball pitched in the strike zone, then it is called a strike. The pitcher cannot step forward or sideways while pitching the ball; stepping forward at the time of pitching is allowed. Pitchers can bring about variations the manner of throwing the ball. The variations include curves, risers, drops, etc.

Batting
Batters have to hit the ball thrown by the pitcher. Upon hitting the ball, batters have to run around the bases to score runs. The ball after being hit is fielded by opponents in the outfield. One has to cover as many bases as possible (and reach back to the home plate) before the ball is returned by these outfield players. The condition in which the batter misses out on 3 consecutive balls bowled by the pitcher is referred to as strike out.

Score
Home Run is a condition in which the ball is hit by the batter over the fence. If the batter is able to run up to the first base before the ball is returned by the fielder, the run is called single. The condition is referred to as double when the player reaches the second base; if the player is able to reach the third base, it is referred to as triple.

Terms Used in Softball
Here are few commonly used terms in softball. One should understand the rules of this game in a better manner with the knowledge of these terms.

• Grounder: This term is used to describe a condition in which the ball is hit on the ground.
• Fly Ball: The term, fly ball is used when the ball is hit in the air in the infield area.
• Ball: A 'ball' is referred to as the condition in which the ball is pitched outside the strike zone

The basic softball rules for kids presented in this article should help them understand the game with ease. There are many details and nuances about the game that should be explained as the player becomes proficient. The instructions presented above, should be useful for beginners.