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It appears that professional sports teams are no longer having trouble getting people out of the stadium but rather getting them in the stadium at all. Professional sports teams are having attendance issues all across the board. So how can fans who still claim to be die hard for their sport and their team not be showing up to the games?

The answer comes in a variety of reasons. The first is just that people are living in a tough time economically. There are so many people out of work that they are dipping into their emergency cash for the first time in their lives. It’s simply not a good time for people to be spending what little money they have at a sporting event. Even those that have jobs are feeling the effects of the economy as it is creating an atmosphere of uncertainty, prompting people to hold onto their cash while preparing for the worst.

The rising price of admissions to get into games are making even the fans with a stable and secure income hesitant to show up. There is a big price on every part of the game these days, from parking to the ticket to the concessions and souvenirs, so people are having to think twice about coming out to a game.

The other problem is one of the exposure these sports are getting through cable and satellite television. People can watch the game from the privacy and comfort of their own homes, and with the recent boom in high quality home theatre systems there is less reason to travel. Even going to see a rival player is no longer as appealing as so many games are televised nationally and highlights are constantly being fed into the mainstream. It seems unlikely people will be filing into the stadiums any time soon.

If you have been following poker’s rise in popularity in the twenty-first century, you have come to appreciate the importance of custom poker tables. They add a flare to competitions and tournaments, and they are frequently designed to fit the specific décor of casinos. Furniture design in general has become very sophisticated, and this has impacted poker tables as much as everything else. Materials are more sophisticated. A broader array of choices is available. You can have a table made of wood, chrome, or Formica. You can have a table made with cup-holders and a camera underneath to show what cards players are holding so that the audience can be more involved. Your tables can indicate that you are modern, sophisticated, and high-tech.

It’s a shame to see so many great, custom tables pounded to pieces during action sequences in movies. You have to have noticed this trend if you are a serious card player. The casino scenes produced in Las Vegas each year, showing angry gangsters and undercover cops fighting it out on game tables, are plentiful. These scenes are great advertising for the casinos, and they are entertaining to watch. At the same time, some well-crafted game tables are smashed to bits as bodies are thrown from balconies or dropped from a collapsing skylight.

These scenes are descendants of the brawls that used to be part of “spaghetti westerns.” A fight would break out because a cowboy’s drink was spilled, and mayhem would ensue. Everyone, including the prostitutes, would get into the fight. Beer bottles would be smashed over a cowboy’s head and the top of the bar would be cleared, while the bartender hunkered down behind it out of sight. The difference today is that the fighters are using kenpo and other martial arts, and they are probably firing semi-automatic guns.

One favorite summer activity for many Americans is joining the summer softball league.  Softball is a team game directly descended from, and sharing most of the rules of, baseball.  It could be seen as baseball’s little sister.  The main differences include a bigger – and usually softer – ball and an underhand pitch as opposed to an overhand pitch.  Positions are often similar.

The one position that softball teams may add that is noticeably absent in baseball is the short center fielder.  This position plays directly behind second base and midway between the center fielder and the base itself.  The added advantage of this position is that the center fielder can play further back, allowing for more coverage and less holes across the field.

Softball can be played either fast pitch or slow pitch.  Aside from the speed of the ball, the most stunning visual difference is the arc the pitch takes to get to the plate.  In fast pitch the ball is sent in a mostly horizontal line from the pitcher to the catcher.  In slow pitch, the ball is required to take a highly arcing course and as a result the pitch is much slower.  Often, these pitches are called floaters.  The strike zone for these pitches is also quite different.

The ball itself can range anywhere from twelve to sixteen inches.  The smallest softballs are quite hard despite their name and require a mitt in order to catch them.  The sixteen inch balls and other larger sizes are quite soft.  These are often too big for a mitt, and so the game is played with bare hands.

Aside from these main similarities, each league is often customized to the players involved.  Each softball league has their own rules about certain aspects of the game like stealing and lead-offs.  Some leagues are held indoors while some remain outdoor only leagues.  Different versions of softball can be played co-ed, all male or all female.  Some leagues have age restrictions.  With all of the different options, it’s important to know what type of league you want to play for.

Watching football is a time honored tradition in America, and football season is just around the corner.   But how do you get a new convert interested in the game?  To someone who has never watched football before, the game often appears as nothing more than a bunch of guys running across a field attempting to tackle each other.  While tackling is always a large part of football, a true fan understands that the game has subtleties and nuances that escape the oblivious beginner.  

The only real way to help a football novice truly understand the game is to explain the rules to them as the plays happen.  But trying to explain these nuances to someone during the middle of the game can cause a fan to miss big plays. So what is a true football junkie to do?

Start with the basics.  A true football fan can explain the positions, important players and the system of downs without too much concentration.  But what appears as obvious to those who have watched the game for years can be a bit bewildering to those who don’t even know the difference between a left tackle and a defensive end.

Helping someone understand penalties takes more time than game basics and positions. The instant replays can buy a fan a little more time to explain the penalty and how each specific penalty works.  If a fan does not have to time to both understand a referee’s call and explain them in the space of a penalty time out, they can always use commercial breaks.   Otherwise, admit that not everything can be explained, and the fan can leave the penalty calls as something for a new fan to understand in their own time.

It’s important not to completely overload new football fans.  Too much information at once can be overwhelming, and may mistakenly make someone believe the game too complicated for them to understand. At the end of the day, the goal is to make help the new person enjoy the game as much as any long time fan.

There’s a phenomenon out there in kid land, similar to the cowboy and Indian scenario. Children all want to be the hero compelled by their inner strength to save others from the mayhem created by the evil villains. They’ve evolved however, from cowboys and Indians to Power Rangers and The Justice League. From the Ultimate Alliance to the Karate Kid, all children; boys and girls will love participating in Kenpo Karate and living out their fantasy in real life.

Most sports offer children a chance to be physically fit, but Kenpo offers so much more. Kenpo is not just about self-defense. It’s true that your son or daughter may be able to defend themselves against bullies on the playground, but Kenpo also gives them a sense of discipline and self-control. It teaches them about respect for themselves and for others. They will learn skills to help them problem solve throughout their life and they will not only become strong physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

It’s becoming much easier to find a way for your children to participate in Kenpo. In fact, most cities across the United States have many dojos to choose from. Take a look in your local phone directory, or you can even find one on line.  You are bound to locate something close to home. Take you child out and visit the classes. Find an instructor and style that fits their personality best.

Keep in mind that Kenpo Karate is not just a sport for children. Parents are often encouraged to participate with their kids. There is no greater bond that can be made then when you are working together toward a specific goal. Kenpo is just the vessel to help you achieve that. What a great gift to give your child, your time.  How about not only strengthening your mind and body, but your relationships as well. Your family may just become “Incredible” after all.

There are many avenues to pursue when trying to find balance in your life. Some have joined the yoga craze, while others have taken up swimming and spiritual guidance. Kenpo Karate has been known to offer strength in all areas of your life, and because of its success, people are starting to take note.

Many athletic clubs are adding this type of martial art to their repertoire of programs. There are Kenpo classes offered in private dojo’s and wellness centers all over the country.  There are even local chapters of the YMCA offering classes in Kenpo.

There is a cost associated with many classes. In addition to the training, there are educational booklets, the traditional gi or uniform – including belts that need to be covered. Each time you level up, you receive a new belt. There are also various types of equipment associated with each level. Many dojo’s finance the cost of Kenpo over a 12 month period of time, while others will just have you pay as you go. Whatever the cost may be in your area, participants say that the peace of mind, body, and soul out way the pocketbook every time.

As with any other sport, while participating in Kenpo, you build strength; physical strength as well as inner strength. Whether you’re four or forty, you’ll experience a feeling of confidence that you’ve never before achieved.  Kenpo allows you to apply the martial arts spirit into every facet of your life. Even simple trips to the grocery store will take on new meaning when you realize the power and control you have over the basic decisions in your life. In addition to strength you may experience benefits that are not so obvious. Some say your joint pain will decrease.  Others notice significant amount of weight loss. What you will notice is that you feel good.  You will gain a greater amount of self-esteem and self-control.  And who doesn’t want that?  If so, Kenpo is the way to go.

Whether you’re a child, or a child at heart participating in any new activity for the first time can be intimidating.
There’s always a stress associated with not knowing the rules of the game, or knowing all the fundamentals to be successful.  Have no fear.  Here are a few guidelines to help you feel better prepared to step off the sidelines and jump into the game.

1.    Evaluate your physical condition. If running across the court leaves you winded and out of breath, then jumping right into a full court basketball game may not be your ideal situation. Start small.  It’s great to have goals, but remember that being out of shape causes many sport injuries. Start by taking the stairs instead of the elevator. It’s a simple suggestion, but it will get you moving, and the more you move, the more agile and swift your body becomes.

2.    Do you like physical contact or is a zero contact sport more you style? The thing is, you’ll never know you like something unless you try it. However, if the thought of being crushed underneath mounds of sweaty flesh makes your stomach turn, then football may not be your cup of tea. You do have options though.  There are many community flag football leagues out there. Or you could look at something more refined like tennis, or even golf.

3.    Decide whether you’re more of an individual or team player. There are many options within athletic associations. If you are interested in a team environment then baseball, soccer, and even hockey may be up your alley. If it’s a more independent style that interests you, karate, archery, and fencing may be calling your name.

Once you’ve considered your options jump right in. Find a local league. Talk to a coach or an instructor. Try participating a few times to see if it’s really something you’d like to pursue. Most importantly, just do it. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. It’s in the learning process that you truly become great.  And remember that practice makes perfect.

In the first Olympics, young male athletes from Ancient Greece came together to challenge one another in a “stade” or short sprint across the stadium.  Throughout the early years of the games, other events were added. Boxing, chariot racing, long jump, and the javelin and discus throw all made their way into the arena.

According to Wikipedia, “The athletes usually competed naked, not only as the weather was appropriate, but also as the festival was meant to celebrate, in part, the achievements of the human body.”

Boy oh boy, have the Olympics come a long way. Not only in sporting events, but uniforms as well.

Over the years there have been events added and removed from the Olympic program. The International Olympic Committee has an Executive Committee who votes on which events make it into a program and which sports are removed. Decisions are based on whether or not an event is practiced around the world and how many countries are able to participate.

Did you know that floorball, lifesaving, tug of war, and wushu are all games that are recognized by the IOC? “Floorball, hmm,” you may scratch your head and wonder, “what exactly is floorball?” It’s a type of indoor hockey developed in the 1970’s. It is mainly played in European countries as a year round sport.

Softball and baseball have officially made their way off of the Olympic program. Coming from the American Continents that may flabbergast you. How could a defining American sport be removed from the Olympic program? That’s just it. It’s an American sport that is not played universally across the globe.  That’s not to say that it won’t make a return in future games. There just needs to be more countries willing to play ball.

What is interesting is that as of late, golf and rugby have made it back onto the Olympic program, and you will be seeing these athletes perform in future Olympic games.

What can you make of this? That evolution is absolute.  Even as the world around us continues to evolve, so do the Olympic games.

Every sport has its great achievers, and every era ushers in athletes of such singular achievement they make once-thought-impossible feats seem suddenly possible.  How do they do it?  What drives them?   What makes a champion so different from other people, let alone other athletes?

Some athletes compete faster, higher, and more intensely than the rest of the pack, driving themselves to break records and accomplish the unthinkable. The roar of the crowd at major sports competitions says it all—great champions offer a level of inspiration that is utterly soul stirring.

What makes a champion?  It’s more than just physical training and agility – though those elements can’t be discounted.  Legendary, truly great athletes share an ability to focus mentally on a level most of us can scarcely imagine.

Roger Bannister became a sports legend in 1954 when he broke the then unimaginable four-minute mile speed record in a race in Oxford, England. The previous record had been held for nine years, and the achievement of running a mile in less than four minutes had been deemed impossible.  Yet Bannister did it.  How?

Bannister had been running his whole life and dedicated himself to a system of light training.  He often said it was easier for him to run than to walk, so he ran. And ran. And ran.  Before the race at Oxford he began training even harder with a new approach, a training system that combined a system of steady running with fast spurts.

Significantly, Bannister visualized himself breaking the four-minute barrier, and once the race was run he was confident he had achieved it.  It was Bannister’s combination of acute, dedicated training along with mental discipline and an overriding belief in his ability to achieve the impossible that lead to his legendary victory.

In his book, Four Minute Mile, Bannister wrote,  “No one can say, ‘You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.’ The human spirit is indomitable."

Roger Bannister’s incredible achievement, both athletically and mentally, still inspires athletes and thinkers worldwide.