History of Badminton

A little-known fact about badminton is that it demands high fitness levels from its players in addition to agility, speed and accuracy. Introduction of badminton at the Olympics added to its appeal. Read on to find out about the history of badminton. Learn more about the various badminton tournaments organized the world over.

The history of badminton shows that it had its roots in an old children’s game in England known as battledore and shuttlecock. British Army officers in India played a grown up version of this game. Known in its early days as ‘poona’, it was played with many people who tried to keep the ‘bird’ in air. A net came to be added later and badminton in its present form was born. This sport derived its name from Badminton House in Gloucestershire where the game was played at a lawn party. The International Badminton Federation (IBF) that was started in 1934 now has more than 130 member countries. The Asian countries now dominate the badminton scene and they continue to rule the roost as far as tournaments go. Badminton matches draw thousands of spectators in Malaysia, Indonesia and China.

Badminton in the U.S. began as a weekend meeting place for New York’s society leaders with the formation of the Badminton Club of New York in 1878. Clubs and YMCAs and educational institutions began to offer training in badminton. Several Hollywood personalities like James Cagney, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were avid badminton players. The United States Badminton Association (USBA) has its national office in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This body focuses on promoting badminton within the country and developing players.

Badminton – Little Known Facts

A badminton shuttle has known to clock in excess of 180 mph. Did you know that the best badminton shuttle is one that is made from the feathers from the left wing of a goose?. Badminton players need to possess quick response and agility. With badminton matches lasting even up to a couple of hours, it is little wonder that badminton players need to have rigorous training to build up stamina and concentration. In addition, quick reflexes and rapid hand-eye coordination are a prerequisite for any aspiring badminton player. Badminton, unlike most other racquet sports does not use a ball but a shuttlecock that cannot touch the ground during a rally.

Look at these amazing statistics comparing a badminton match with a tennis match. Badminton provides a vigorous cardiovascular workout for the player. In fact, the Department of Physical Education at Baylor University describes it as ‘one of the finest conditioning game activities available’.

A statistical comparison reveals the following:

Tennis Time duration: 3 hours 18 minutes
Badminton Time duration: 1 hour 16 minutes

Tennis Ball/Shuttle in play: 18 minutes
Badminton Ball/Shuttle in play: 37 minutes

Tennis Match intensity: 9%
Badminton Match intensity: 48%

Tennis Shots: 1004
Badminton Shots: 1972

Tennis Shots per rally: 3.4
Badminton Shots per rally: 13.5

Tennis Distance covered: 2 miles
Badminton Distance covered: 4 miles

Badminton Rule

The badminton rule regarding the shuttle is that it can be made from natural, synthetic or a combination of both materials. The badminton shuttle is a combination of a few bird feathers, a wooden cork, string and glue. It must have 16 feathers fixed in the base. Test a shuttle using a full underhand stroke. The badminton racket also must conform to the badminton rulebook. A badminton racket is usually made from hickory carbon alloys or steel. The badminton game rally is aimed at hitting the shuttle over the net onto the opponent’s court. You lose the rally by either hitting outside the opponents court or hitting the shuttle into the net or even if the shuttle touches you or your clothing. The badminton rule allows you to accumulate points until you have reached the winning target before your opponent. The attacking and defensive factors are crucial to win a badminton game. The attacking game attempts to increase your chance of accumulating points. The defensive game aims at decreasing the opponent’s chance of accumulating points. The badminton rulebook prescribes the following scoring system:

* A match shall consist of the best of 3 games unless otherwise arranged.
* In doubles and men’s singles, the first side to score 15 points wins a game.
* In ladies’ singles, the first side to score 11 points wins the game.
* The side winning a game serves first in the next game.
* The badminton rule for scoring is that the serving side can add a point to its score.

Badminton Court - Badminton Court Size

The American Badminton Association recommends a ground space of about 1620 square feet for a badminton court size. The Singles badminton court is 17’ X 44’ whereas a doubles court is 20’ X 44’. There should be a minimum 5’ unobstructed area on all sides of the badminton court. The recommended surface for a badminton court is concrete or bituminous material. The badminton court can be optionally protected with a color coating if it is a permanent installation. The badminton court must be leveled and smooth but not slippery. The badminton court net can be made of fine cord of dark color and even thickness. The specifications for the badminton court net are that it should have a mesh of not less than 15 mm and not more than 20 mm. The net must be at least 6.1 meters wide.

Badminton Lesson Plan

Any badminton lesson plan begins with serving. Aiming a good serve is vital – you need to either aim for the opponent’s backhand side of the service area or serve it short just over the net. Hold the badminton racket as if you were shaking hands with it. The doubles service needs short and accurate serving.

Nimble footwork is also a key focal point of any badminton lesson plan. It is vital to cover all corners of the court with minimal steps. A fast drop that is well placed can put the opponent under pressure. Making the opponent run back and forth on the court is another good badminton lesson plan.

Any badminton lesson plan needs to be adapted to suit your fitness levels. Extending your rally is a good strategy if your fitness level is superior to that of your opponent. This type of game hinges on your opponent making a mistake. In contrast, if you are facing an opponent with better fitness levels, you can resort to accuracy and consistency to control the pace of the game. Timing is another crucial area that any badminton lesson plan needs to address. It can make the difference between making and missing the match.

Badminton at the Olympics

Badminton made an entry on the Olympic scene in 1992. All eyes are now trained on the coming Summer Olympics at Athens. The last Olympics saw China leading the Badminton medals tally followed by Indonesia and Korea. In fact, the Chinese badminton squad swept the men’s singles and women’s doubles and made Olympic history by earning the gold, silver and bronze. They romped home with eight medals at the 2000 Olympics.

Badminton China Open

The China Open Badminton Championships 2007 was held at Guangzhou in the P. R. of China from November 20 – 25 2007. The Badminton China Open this year was marked by the dominance of Chinese women who took most of the medals

Top seeded Men’s Singles Players
1 BAO Chunlai China
2 Chong Wei LEE Malaysia
3 Sung Hwan PARK Korea

Top seeded Women’s Singles Players
1 Mew Choo WONG Malaysia
2 Xingfang XIE China
3 Lan LU China

Badminton Tournaments

It was in the 1980s that badminton became a professional sport when the IBF started the World Grand Prix Circuit. The USBA Classic Series is the premier badminton tournament in the U.S. wherein players compete in five regional tournaments.

Thomas Cup

The first Thomas Cup tournament was held in 1949 at Queen’s Hall in Preston. Late Sir George Thomas was the founder president of the IBF. The Cup has stayed with 3 Asian countries since its inaugural match – Indonesia, Malaysia and China. This badminton tournament is held every two years. The Thomas Cup is played over the best of five matches over one day.

Uber Cup

The Uber Cup was held in Lancashire in Britain as an alternative to the Thomas Cup in the Women’s category. U.S.A, Japan, China and Indonesia have retained the Uber Cup between themselves in all these years

Badminton Club

Badminton is played as a recreational and professional sport. A badminton club is the ideal place to begin your initiation into the sport. Most educational institutions and private clubs offer badminton coaching. A coach at the badminton club can guide with the right techniques to get your game going. Regular family memberships are also offered at many a badminton club. Badminton is an excellent aerobic sport that can enhance your fitness levels and provide you and your family a recreational activity.

Law 5 - The Referee

The Authority of the Referee

Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed.
Powers and Duties
The Referee:

* enforces the Laws of the Game
* controls the match in co-operation with the assistant referees and, where applicable, with the fourth official
* ensures that any ball meets the requirements of Law 2
* ensures that the players’ equipment meets the requirements of Law 4
* acts as timekeeper and keeps a record of the match
* stops, suspends or terminates the match, at his discretion, for any infringements of the Laws
* stops, suspends or terminates the match because of outside interference of any kind
* stops the match if, in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that he is removed from the field of play – an injured player may only return to the field of play after the match has restarted
* allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is, in his opinion, only slightly injured
* ensures that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play. The player may only return on receiving a signal from the referee who must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped
* allows play to continue when the team against which an offence has been committed will benefit from such an advantage and penalises the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue at that time
* punishes the more serious offence when a player commits more than one offence at the same time
* takes disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off offences. He is not obliged to take this action immediately but must do so when the ball next goes out of play
* takes action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and may, at his discretion, expel them from the field of play and its immediate surrounds
* acts on the advice of assistant referees regarding incidents which he has not seen
* ensures that no unauthorised persons enter the field of play
* restarts the match after it has been stopped
* provides the appropriate authorities with a match report which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or team officials and any other incidents which occurred before, during or after the match
Decisions of the Referee

The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he has not restarted play or terminated the match.

Decisions of the International FA
Board Decision 1

A referee (or where applicable, an assistant referee or fourth official) is not held liable for:

* Any kind of injury suffered by a player, official or spectator.
* Any damage to property of any kind
* Any other loss suffered by any individual, club, company, association or other body, which is due or which may be due to any decision which he may take under the terms of the Laws of the Game or in respect of the normal procedures required to hold, play and control a match

This may include:

* a decision that the condition of the field of play or its surrounds or that the weather conditions are such as to allow or not to allow a match to take place
* a decision to abandon a match for whatever reason
* a decision as to the condition of the fixtures or equipment used during a match including the goalposts, crossbar, flagposts and the ball
* a decision to stop or not to stop a match due to spectator interference or any problem in the spectator area
* a decision to stop or not to stop play to allow an injured player to be removed from the field of play for treatment
* a decision to request or insist that an injured player be removed from the field of play for treatment
* a decision to allow or not to allow a player to wear certain apparel or equipment
* a decision (in so far as this may be his responsibility) to allow or not to allow any persons (including team or stadium officials, security officers, photographers or other media representatives) to be present in the vicinity of the field of play
* any other decision which he may take in accordance with the Laws of the Game or in conformity with his duties under the terms of FIFA, Confederation, National Association or League rules or regulations under which the match is played

Decision 2

In tournaments or competitions where a fourth official is appointed, his role and duties must be in accordance with the guidelines approved by the International FA Board, which are contained in this publication.
Decision 3

Facts connected with play shall include whether a goal is scored or not and the result of the match.
The Technical Area

The technical area described in Law 3, International FA Board Decision No. 2, relates particularly to matches played in stadia with a designated seated area for technical staff and substitutes as shown below.

It is recognised that technical areas may vary between stadia, for example in size or location, and the following notes are issued for general guidance.

* The technical area extends 1m on either side of the designated seated area and extends forward up to a distance of 1m from the touch line
* It is recommended that markings are used to define this area
* The number of persons permitted to occupy the technical area is defined by the competition rules
* The occupants of the technical area are identified before the beginning of the match in accordance with the competition rules
* Only one person at a time is authorised to convey tactical instructions and he must return to his position immediately after giving these instructions
* The coach and other officials must remain within the confines of the technical area except in special circumstances, for example, a physiotherapist or doctor entering the field of play, with the referee’s permission, to assess an injured player
* The coach and other occupants of the technical area must behave in a responsible manner

Law 4 - The Players Equipment

Safety

A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery).

Basic Equipment
The basic compulsory equipment of a player comprises the following separate items:

* a jersey or shirt
if undergarments are worn, the colour of the sleeve should be the same main colour as the sleeve of the jersey or shirt
* shorts - if undershorts are worn, they are of the same main colour as the shorts
* stockings
* shinguards
* footwear
Shinguards

* are covered entirely by the stockings
* are made of a suitable material (rubber, plastic, or similar substances)
* provide a reasonable degree of protection

Goalkeepers

* each goalkeeper wears colours which distinguish him from the other players, the referee and the assistant referees

Infringements/Sanctions
For any infringement of this Law:

* play need not be stopped
* the player at fault is instructed by the referee to leave the field of play to correct his equipment
* the player leaves the field of play when the ball next ceases to be in play, unless he has already corrected his equipment
* any player required to leave the field of play to correct his equipment, does not reenter without the permission of the referee
* the referee checks that the player’s equipment is correct before allowing him to reenter the field of play
* the player is only allowed to re-enter the field of play when the ball is out of play

A player who has been required to leave the field of play because of an infringement of this Law and who enters (or re-enters) the field of play without the permission of the referee is cautioned and shown the yellow card.

Restart of Play

If play is stopped by the referee to administer a caution:

* the match is restarted by an indirect free kick taken by a player of the opposing side, from the place where the ball was when the referee stopped the match*

Decision of the International FA Board

* Players must not reveal undershirts which contain slogans or advertising. The basic compulsory equipment must not contain any political, religious or personal statements. A player removing his jersey to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned by the competition organiser. The team of a player whose basic compulsory equipment contains political, religious or personal slogans or statements will be sanctioned by the competition organiser or by FIFA.
* Jerseys must have sleeves.

Law 3 - The Number of Players

Players

A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven players.

Official Competitions

Up to a maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in an official competition under the auspices of FIFA, the Confederations or the National Associations.The rules of the competition must state how many substitutes may be nominated, from three up to a maximum of seven.

Other Matches

In National A team matches, up to a maximum of six substitutes may be used.

In all other matches, a greater number of substitutes may be used provided that:

* the teams concerned reach agreement on a maxinum number
* the referee is informed before the match

If the referee is not informed, or if no agreement is reached before the match, no more than six substitutes are allowed.

All Matches

In all matches the names of the substitutes must be given to the referee prior to the start of the match. Substitutes not so named may not take part in the match.

Substitution Procedure

To replace a player by a substitute, the following conditions must be observed:

* the referee is informed before any proposed substitution is made
* a substitute only enters the field of play after the player being replaced has left and after receiving a signal from the referee
* a substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway line and during a stoppage in the match
* a substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play
* from that moment, the substitute becomes a player and the player he has replaced ceases to be a player
* a player who has been replaced takes no further part in the match
* all substitutes are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee, whether called upon to play or not

Changing the Goalkeeper

Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that:

* the referee is informed before the change is made
* the change is made during a stoppage in the match

lnfringements/Sanctions

If a substitute enters the field of play without the referee being informed:

* play is stopped
* the substitute is cautioned, shown the yellow card and required to leave the field of play
* play is restarted with an indirect free kick at the place it was located when play was stopped

If a player changes places with the goalkeeper without the referee being informed before the change is made:

* play continues
* the players concerned are cautioned and shown the yellow card when the ball is next out of play

For any other infringements of this Law:

* the players concerned are cautioned and shown the yellow card

Restart of Play

If play is stopped by the referee to administer a caution:

* the match is restarted by an indirect free kick, to be taken by a player of the opposing team from the place where the ball was when play was stopped*

Players and Substitutes Sent Off

A player who has been sent off before the kick-off may only be replaced by one of the named substitutes.

A named substitute who has been sent off either before the kick-off, or after play has started, may not be replaced.

Decisions of the International FA Board

Decision 1

Subject to the over-riding conditions of Law 3, the minimum number of players in a team is left to the discretion of National Associations. The Board is of the opinion however, that a match should not continue if there are fewer than seven players in either team.

Decision 2

A team official may convey tactical instructions to the players during the match and he must return to his position immediately after giving these instructions. All team officials must remain within the confines of the technical area, where such an area is provided, and they must behave in a responsible manner.

Law 2 - The Ball

Qualities and Measurements

The ball is:

• spherical
• made of leather or other suitable material
• of a circumference of not more than 70cm (28ins) and not less than 68cm (27ins)
• not more than 450g (16oz) in weight and not less than 410g (14oz) at the start of the match
• of a pressure equal to 0.6–1.1 atmosphere (600–1100g/cm2) at sea level (8.5lbs/sq.in 15.6lbs/sq.in)

Replacement of a Defective Ball

If the ball bursts or becomes defective during the course of a match:

• the match is stopped
• it is restarted by dropping the replacement ball at the place where the first ball became defective*

If the ball bursts or becomes defective whilst not in play at a kick off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick, penalty kick or throw-in:

• the match is restarted accordingly

The ball may not be changed during the match without the authority of the referee.

Football: Rules and regulations

Football Rules

The Football Association is responsible for ensuring that the international Laws of the Game are applied on the field, and that the rules and regulations concerned with running football in England are observed by officials, clubs and players off the pitch as well as on it.
The Laws of the Game are determined by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), and The Rules and Regulations of The Football Association, determined by The FA Council, are aimed at establishing an efficient and fair regulatory structure. These rules and regulations cover matters ranging from the affiliation of clubs and associations, to misconduct, financial dealings and arbitration...

The Rules of The Football Association

Rules 2008-2009 (download pdf)

• FA Rule A - Constitution and administration of the Association
• FA Rule B - Sanctioning of associations, competitions and matches
• FA Rule C - Rules relating to players
• FA Rule D - International and other representative matches and call-ups
• FA Rule E - Conduct
• FA Rule F - Powers of inquiry
• FA Rule G - Disciplinary powers
• FA Rule H - Appeals to the Appeal Board
• FA Rule I - Financial records
• FA Rule J - Rules, regulations and laws of the game
• FA Rule K - Arbitration
• FA Rule L - Fair play in football

Laws of the Game

The original Laws have changed only marginally over the years.

Today's 17 Laws continue to be based upon the rules that were first ratified by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) when it was founded in 1886.

Changes have occurred in accordance with the specific evolution and demands of modern-day football, but the key element remains of football being seen as essentially a simple game, with laws that can be applied in the same way at any level from the World Cup Final to a friendly game on a local park.

You can read all the laws of the game by clicking on any of the links below. We also give you details of the laws that apply to small-sided football and mini-soccer...

Law 1 - The Field of Play

Field Surface

Matches may be played on natural or artificial surfaces, according to the rules of the competition.

Dimensions

The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.

Length: minimum 90m (100yds), maximum 120m (130yds)

Width: minimum 45m (50yds), maximum 90m (100yds)

International matches

Length: minimum 100m (110yds), maximum 110m (120yds)

Width: minimum 64m (70yds), maximum 75m (80yds)

Field Markings

The field of play is marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of which they are boundaries.

The two longer boundary lines are called touch lines The two shorter lines are called goal lines

All lines are not more than 12cm (5ins) wide.

The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line.

The centre mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of 9.15m(10yds) is marked around it.

The Goal Area

A goal area is defined at each end of the field as follows:

Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal lines, 5.5m (6yds) from the inside of the goalpost.These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 5.5m (6yds) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the goal area.

The Penalty Area

A penalty area is defined at each end of the field as follows:

Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 16.5m (18yds) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 16.5m (18yds) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area.

Within each penalty area a penalty mark is made 11m (12yds) from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them. An arc of a circle with a radius of 9.15m (10yds) is drawn outside the penalty area from each penalty mark.

Flagposts

A flagpost, not less than 1.5m (5ft) high, with a non pointed top and a flag is placed at each corner.

Flagposts may also be placed at each end of the halfway line, not less then 1m (1yd) outside the touch line.

The Corner Arc

A quarter circle with a radius of 1m (1 yd) from each corner flagpost is drawn inside the field of play.

Goals

Goals must be placed on the centre of each goal line.

They consist of two upright posts equidistant from the corner flagposts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar.

The distance between the posts is 7.32m (8yds) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44m (8ft).

Both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth which do not exceed 12cm(5ins). The goal lines are the same width as the depth of the goalposts and the crossbar. Nets may be attached to the goals and the ground behind the goal, provided that they are properly supported and do not interfere with the goalkeeper.

The goalposts and crossbars must be white.

Safety

Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement.

Decisions of the International FA Board

Decision 1

If the crossbar becomes displaced or broken, play is stopped until it has been repaired or replaced in position. If a repair is not possible, the match is abandoned. The use of a rope to replace the crossbar is not permitted. If the crossbar can be repaired, the match is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped.*

Decision 2

Goalposts and crossbars must be made of wood, metal or other approved material. Their shape may be square, rectangular, round or elliptical and they must not be dangerous to players.

Decision 3

No kind of commercial advertising, whether real or virtual, is permitted on the field of play and the field equipment (including the goal nets and the areas they enclose) from the time the teams enter the field of play until they have left it at half-time and from the time the teams re-enter the field of play until the end of the match. In particular, no advertising materials of any kind may be displayed on goals, nets, flagposts or their flags. No extraneous equipment (cameras, microphones, etc.) may be attached to these items.

Decision 4

There should be no advertising of any kind on the ground within the technical area or within one metre from the touch line. Further, no advertising shall be allowed in the area between the goal line and the goal nets.

Decision 5

The reproduction whether real or virtual, of representative logos or emblems of FIFA, Confederations, National Associations, Leagues, Clubs or other bodies, is forbidden on the field of play and field equipment (including the goal nets and the areas they enclose) during playing time, as described in Decision 3.

Decision 6

A mark may be made off the field of play, 9.15 metres (10yds) from the corner arc and at right angles to the goal line, to ensure that this distance is observed when a corner kick is being taken.

Decision 7

Where artificial surfaces are used in either competition matches between representative teams of associations affiliated to FIFA or international club competition matches, the surface must meet the requirements of the FIFA Quality Concept for Artificial Turf or the International Artificial Turf Standard, unless special dispensation is given by FIFA.

Decision 8

Where a technical area exists, it must meet the requirements approved by the International FA Board, which are contained in this publication.

The history of cricket

The game of cricket is the second most popular game in the world, second only to soccer. Cricket appears to have an eventful and colorful history, although the exact origins of the game are unknown. As far back as the 1300's, a mention of the game "creag" is found. However it is unclear whether this is the beginnings of modern-day cricket. The name "cricket" may have come from the word "cric". The word cric stood for the hooked staffs carried by Shepards. These may have been the first cricket bats. Cricket in its early days in England was considered a child's game, not to be played by serious adults.In 1598 there was a written record of a game called "creckett" or "crickett". This may be the first recorded mention of the game that is played today. By 1611 cricket had become an adult game. Considered illegal and immoral, two men were arrested for playing the game rather than going to church. More and more arrests were made as the game grew in popularity.

At the end of the English Civil War in 1648, the new government clamped down on recreational cricket that was played on Sundays. In these days cricket was played mostly by the working class and Sunday was their only opportunity to play. Interest in the sport seemed to diminish. As the years progressed, cricket once again regained popularity as a betting game. In the year 1688 the Puritan government of England was gone and the Monarchy was in power again. Cricket was favored by the government and regained some respectability. There were still huge problems in the world of cricket however. Betting and rioting marred the game. Around the year 1784 a London magistrate deemed cricket to be "respectable" even though there were still problems with wagering.

Finally in the year 1788 the "Laws of Cricket" were born. The Laws were written by the Marylebone Cricket Club. Except for some minor revisions, these laws are still adhered to in present day cricket. One notable change was in 1864 when over arm bowling was first used legally. Cricket is the only sport today that has laws instead of rules. Gaining even more respectability in the late 1700s, cricket became the game of "gentlemen". The Laws of Cricket were used for play in England and the Eastern United States. These laws covered the length of the pitch, the distance from the pitching crease to the bowling crease, wicket size, and ball weight.

The cricket fields were leveled and manicured in the 1800's. Up until this time the fields were rough and bumpy. South Africa and Australia began to play cricket seriously during this time. In the year 1844 the first international game of cricket was played in the state of New York in the United States. This match was played between the United States and Canada. Later, in 1877, England traveled to Australia for the first international test match. The match was played in Melbourne Australia. The Australians won the match by 45 runs.

A few years later in 1882, Australia again beat England. It was a close match with Australia winning by 8 runs. This prompted an English writer to publish an obituary for English cricket. The obituary pronounced it "dead". It went on to say that the body would be cremated and that the ashes would be spread over Australia. The next summer England played another series against Australia. This was dubbed by the press as an English endeavor to "reclaim the ashes". A small trophy filled with ashes was made and given to the British Captain. To this day, all test matches between England and Australia are said to be played "for the ashes".

In the year 1900 cricket made its first and only appearance in the Olympics. The match was between France and Britain. Most of the French players came from the British Embassy in France, so mostly British players played the match. Britain won the match and the gold medal. Today there is a renewed interest in cricket becoming an Olympic game.

The ICC was formed in 1909. The Imperial Cricket Conference was formed to govern the laws of cricket. The ICC is known today as the International Cricket Conference. The founding countries of the ICC were England, South Africa, and Australia.

The years 1932 and 1933 saw the laws of cricket being tightened. English players were throwing short-pitched balls at the Australian batters in an attempt at intimidation. England won this series, but ill feelings still exist between Australian and English players because of this series.

In the 1960's some English teams began playing a shortened version of cricket that allowed a match to be completed in only one day. Up until this time the average cricket match could last up to five days. Some fans and players felt this shortened form of cricket to be an insult to the game, so it was not widely accepted by traditional cricket fans. The first one-day international match was played in Melbourne, Australia in 1971. This match prompted the ICC to organize the "Cricket World Cup" to be played every four years. These matches are strictly one-day matches.

In 1981 the ICC banned underarm bowling as a result of a match between New Zealand and Australia. Australian captain Greg Chappell ordered his brother Trevor to use the underarm bowling technique to stop New Zealand from winning a match. Greg's actions angered many in the cricketing community prompting the change.

Today cricket remains a well-loved sport. Some young men in Australia and England grow up hoping to one day "play for the ashes". It is a sport steeped in tradition and its fans are loyal. Although the history of cricket was rocky at times, it's a solid sport that will be around for years to come.

Sports: General Health Fitness Tips

10 Essential Health Tips
(The Basics to Practice Every Day)

1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!

3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.

4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.

5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.

6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.

7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.

8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.

9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.

10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.

Wishing you the very best of health!

History of the Summer Olympics

The Summer Olympic Games are not historically documented until 776 BC, but it is widely accepted that they had been in practice from as early as the 13th century BC

The Beginnings of the Summer Olympic Games.

The Summer Olympic Games are not historically documented until 776 BC, but it is widely accepted that they had been in practice from as early as the 13th century BC. There are several Greek legends that speak of the beginnings of the Summer Olympic Games. One indicates that it was begun when Herakles won a race then asked that the race be run every four years. Another legend mentions King Iphitos who asked the Oracle of Delphi how to deal with a current war that was ravaging his country. The Oracle advised him to hold games in honor of the gods, which would require a truce. Whatever the origins of the Olympic tradition, it is obvious that it was originally of a religious nature.

The Olympics in Ancient Greece.

The history of the Summer Olympic begins in Olympia, where they were first held. The ceremonies held for the winners were similar to those we hold today but instead of medals they received palm branches to hold and red ribbons which were tied around their heads and hands as a sign of their victory. At the completion of the games there was another ceremony and they would be crowned with a wreath of olive branches. When the athletes returned home they were often awarded large sums of money and fame, just like our present day Olympic athletes.

The Sports of Ancient Olympic Games.

The ancient Olympic Games had their roots in only one competition, a foot race called the stadion or stade. It was the distance of one stade, or sprinting from one end of the stadium to the other which measured about 200 meters. The earliest known documents that mention the Olympic Games are from 776 BC, and Coroibus of Elis is listed as the winner of the race. The events included the stade, the diaulos, which was similar to the 400 meter race and the Pentathlon. The Pentathlon was another ancient sport and included the stade, the diaulos and a long race called the dolichos which was from 1400 meters to 4800 meters. There was also a race called the Hoplitodromos and entailed running about a mile in armor weighing from 50 to 60 pounds. This was particularly grueling and was a display of military strength, speed and stamina. Also included were boxing and wrestling, as well as the equestrian sports of riding and chariot racing.

The Athletes of Ancient Olympic Games.

The athletes that participated in the ancient Olympic Games were of the highest quality and prestige. They performed nude as the body was viewed as a thing of great beauty. Only Greek speaking men were allowed to compete in the ancient Games, however these men came from all the different areas in Greek city-states and colonies. The athletes had to qualify and meet the requirements of the Games. Women were not only excluded from participating in the games, but they were not allowed to observe them, as this was considered a sacred activity only for men.

The ancient Greeks had established a long and valuable tradition in their Olympic Games. They were celebrated every four years during August and September. They held the Games until the forth century BC when the Roman Emperor Theodosius, abolished them due to their pagan roots.

The Beginning of the Modern Games.

The modern Olympic Games have much in common with those of ancient Greece. They were reestablished by a French aristocrat, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who urged the founding of the International Olympic Committee in 1894. The committee originally scheduled the first modern Summer Olympic Games for the year 1900, but later pushed that date back to 1896. They were held in Athens Greece during the first week of April. The games included 14 countries and had over 200 participants, but most of them were Greek. Women were not allowed to compete in the 1896 Summer Olympic Games and did not make an appearance until the year 1900, when they competed in lawn tennis and golf.

The1936 Summer Olympics were held in Germany, amidst the Nazi regime of pre-World War II. We see the beauty and spirit of the 1936 Summer Olympics in the amazing victory of Jesse Owens who won four gold medals all while dealing with the immense pressure of racism and hate. Hitler was looking forward to showcasing his supposedly superior German Arian athletes but Jesse Owens proved him wrong by winning a gold medal in the 100 meters, 200 meters, the long jump and the four person 100 meter relay. The 1936 Summer Olympics was truly a memorable and important step in the right direction towards racial equality and justice.

The 1996 Summer Olympics repeated the feelings from the 1972 Winter Olympics when a terrorist group kidnapped 7 Israeli athletes. The 1996 Summer Olympics are remembered most for the terrorist attack that killed one and injured over a hundred more, but the games continued. There was a large turn out with 196 countries competing. The 1996 Summer Olympic Games heralded two new sports, softball, and soccer, and the US women won the gold medal in both new sports. Michael Johnson won double gold medals in the 200 meter and the 400 meter as did a French woman Marie Jose Perac.

The 2000 Summer Olympics show another record turnout and bridging of hostility for the Games. 199 nations gathered to celebrate, and North Korea and South Korea united to enter the field under the same flag and uniform. Ian Thorpe of Australia broke his own world record in the 400 meter freestyle and managed to take four medals, three of which were gold. The 2000 Summer Olympics show the US softball team defending its previous win with a new medal and Michael Johnson wins the gold in the 400 meter. The 2000 Summer Olympics also marked the turning of a new century the first Olympic Games to be celebrated in the 21 century.

The Olympic Games just as before, continue to evolve and change with more sports being added and more people being eligible. The History of the Olympic Games spans thousands of years, and continues today to bridge the gap between countries. All differences between people can be put aside for the glory of the games.

Early Years of the Summer Olympics

When were the first Summer Olympics?

The first official Summer Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. They were set up by a Frenchman, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, in conscious homage to the ancient Olympic Games that were held in Olympia in Greece between 776 BC and 393 AD – an amazing period of a thousand years. In 1894, de Coubertin presented his idea at a congress in the Sorbonne in Paris. Early proposals for the site of the first modern Summer Olympic Games included Paris and London, but in the end it was unanimously agreed that Athens would be the most appropriate venue. They were opened on Easter Monday 1896 by the King of Greece, King George I.

A fuller account of the first games can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1896_Summer_Olympics.

What events were included?

The first Summer Olympics were a modest affair by today’s standards. Drawing heavily on the traditions of the ancient Olympics Games, they nonetheless included modern sports such as shooting and tennis. The centerpiece of the Summer Olympics was, and remains, athletics, but in addition there were medals awarded in cycling, gymnastics, fencing, wrestling, and weightlifting.

The athletics program at the first Summer Olympics also included the first-ever competitive running of the Marathon, which appropriately enough started at the Greek town of Marathon, and which was won by a Greek water carrier, Spyridon Louis. He remains a national hero in his home country.

Winter events such as skating were planned for the first Olympic games, and took place in early competitions. It was not for some years that the Summer and Winter Olympics were separated and the first Winter Olympics held in Chamonix in 1924. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Olympic_Games)

How did the early Olympics differ from nowadays?

The early Summer Olympics were a very different affair to today’s global circus. The first games, in Athens, lasted just over a week, and comprised some nine different disciplines such as athletics and weightlifting – a far cry from today’s twenty-eight sports. There was no Olympic village: until 1932, all athletes had to organize their own accommodations. In addition, women were not allowed to compete in the first Summer Olympics – as they had not in ancient times – and were only admitted to the games in 1900. In all, fourteen nations were represented, and the final medal table was topped by the USA. Some things have not changed…
(http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/past/table_uk.asp?OLGT=1&OLGY=1896)

Early Years of Winter Olympics

How did the Winter Olympics begin?

In the early years there were only Summer Olympic games, held every four years from 1896 onwards. The first few games comprised only traditional summer sports such as athletics. By 1908, skating had been added to the bill; however, in that year and in 1912, the Olympic games remained resolutely summery in their outlook.

After the First World War, the Antwerp games of 1920 featured skating and, for the first time, ice hockey, and they proved to be a great success. Consequently, it was decided by the International Olympic Committee that the 1924 Olympic games in Paris would include a “Winter sports week.” This week, which actually comprised 11 days of competition – took place in Chamonix in the Alps in January 1924, and was retrospectively designated as the first Winter Olympics.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1924_Winter_Olympics)

What were some highlights of the early years?

The first medallist at the Winter Olympics was US speed skater Charlie Jewtraw, who won the 500m speed skating medal at Chamonix in 1924. A few days later, skater Gilles Grafström made a curious piece of history by being the first and last individual to defend his Summer Olympic medal from 1920 at a Winter Olympics. The early years of the Winter Olympics were dominated by nations such as Norway and the USA. No one was more famous than Sonja Henie, who won gold medals in three consecutive Winter Olympics in 1924, 1928, and 1932, and was one of the biggest stars of the time – even becoming a successful Hollywood actress. By 1936, the Winter Olympic games were attracting entrants from 28 nations, including such unlikely places as Spain, Turkey, and Australia. The planned 1940 Winter Olympics in Japan were cancelled due to the outbreak of the Second World War.
(http://www.hok.no/cparticle202899-30713.html)

What events were held?

The early years of the Winter Olympics featured many of the sports that have since become core components of the Olympics – Nordic skiing, ski jumping, skating, and bobsled being among the most prominent. In addition, there was a curling competition and an event known as “military patrol,” which was derived from exercises carried out by Norwegian soldiers, and involved cross country skiing and target shooting. This sport was briefly dropped after World War II, due in part to anti-military feeling, but was revived as the biathlon in 1955, and is now an integral part of the Winter Olympics.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_patrol_at_the_1928_Winter_Olympics)

World War 2 Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics in Wartime

World War II significantly impacted the Olympics. The 1940 and 1944 Olympic Games were cancelled due to World War II. The 1940 Winter Olympic Games were to have taken place in Sapporo, Japan. The 1944 Winter Olympics event was planned for Corina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The Winter Olympics event resumed in 1948 in St. Moritz, Switzerland, albeit on a small scale. While Winter Olympic information abounds about today’s games, fewer events were included in WWII era Olympic Games. The winter sports Olympics have grown with each year, with new events included, the events expanded, and the daring and skill increasing.

A Pre-WWII History of the Winter Olympics

The first Winter Olympics event was held in 1924 in Chamonix, France; however, it was originally designated as a winter sports event, and later retroactively dubbed the first Winter Olympic Games. The 1920 summer games in Antwerp had incorporated figure skating and ice hockey; however those were the sole winter sports Olympics featured. An array of skating, ice hockey events were included; however, alpine skiing would not be included until 1936. St. Moritz, Switzerland hosted the 1928 games, and skeleton (a luge event) debuted in the winter sports Olympics. The 1932 Winter Olympics event took place in Lake Placid, New York and 1936 in Garmisch and Partenkirchen, Germany. Weather has often impacted the Winter Olympics event, with overly warm temperatures often causing challenges for the athletes and sports. The games slowly expanded over the years.

Post-War Olympics

The first Winter Olympics event following the horrors of World War II again took place in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The 1948 Summer Olympics had taken place in London, England. Switzerland’s neutrality during the war had left the country relatively untouched, and thus able to host the winter sports Olympics. Twenty-eight countries competed; however, Germany and Japan were not invited due to their participation in the war. Other countries simply opted not to participate, or had shifted politically due to the war, including Latvia. Winter Olympics information sources, like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Olympic_Games report that the games expanded in 1948. Skeleton, a luge event, reappeared, and new alpine skiing events were offered. The competition sports included alpine skiing, bobsled, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic skiing, ski jumping, speed skating, and skeleton. Winter pentathlon and military patrol were demonstrated in this Winter Olympics event. Norway, Sweden and Switzerland took home the largest numbers of medals from these winter sports Olympics.

History of BasketBall

BasketBall

The history of basketball finds it way back to the year 1891. It was a Canadian physical education instructor by the name of James Naismith who introduced the game of basketball to the world. He was born in Ontario and taught physical education at McGill University and Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. James Naismith, during his stint with Springfield College, a YMCA training school during that time, invented the indoor sport with able support and guidance from the American phys-ed specialist Luther Hasley.

The game commenced with 18 men at Springfield College in Massachusetts. Naismith was given a deadline of 14 days to create an indoor game that would provide “an athletic distraction” (in the words of Hasley) to the nasty and disorderly class. It was a tough call for Naismith, who had to exercise a lot of patience and infuse positive enthusiasm into the minds of his students to engage in an outdoor game that was to be played indoors in the best way possible. He recalled a game he used to play as a child and improvised on its concept.

Naismith was instrumental in laying down 13 rules for the basketball game. The rules stated that the ball should be thrown in any direction with one or both hands. He made it clear that a person could not run with the ball. The player should throw it from the place from which he caught the ball in the first place. Players had to refrain from using the fist when handling or batting the ball. He had termed shouldering, holding, tripping, pushing or striking in any way of an opponent as a foul in the first instance. If things of this nature happened the second time, the person who caused the infringement of the rule would be disqualified or would not be substituted at all. If any side made three consecutive fouls, it was to be counted as a goal for the opposing side.

Naismith also made it clear that if the ball went out of bounds, it had to be thrown into the field of play by the person touching it. This player had the right to hold the ball for only five seconds. If held longer, the chance to throw went to the opposing side. He gave special importance to the umpire who had to judge the player and report to the referee when players made three consecutive fouls. He defined the time period of the game as being comprised of two fifteen-minute halves with fifteen minutes breaks in between. Naismith concluded that the side making the most goals was to be termed as winner.

The game caught the fancy of the YMCA class and the popularity of the game grew, though Naismith quietly shied away from taking any credit for his invention. He wanted the game to be enjoyed as a recreational activity, but he never imagined that the game would soon develop into a passionate and intensely competitive sport. Naismith’s moment of glory came, however, when he was invited by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) to witness basketball become an Olympic sport at the 1936 games in Berlin. He passed away in 1939 and since then the game has grown in fame and prosperity the world over. In 1959, James Naismith entered the Basketball Hall of Fame (called the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame)

The first formal rules for the game were introduced in 1895. It was not until 1897 that teams of five players on each side became standard in the history of basketball. Iron hoops and a hammock style basket came into existence in 1893. A decade later, open-ended nets came into existence, which did away with the practice of manually retrieving the ball from the basket each time a goal was made. After the end of World War II, there was a need to infuse sports entertainment into the large sports arenas during the times not occupied by pro hockey and college basketball games. This gave rise to the history of basketball in its pure, professional championship format.

Walter Brown of Boston introduced professional basketball in the form of the Basketball Association of America in the summer of 1946. The esteemed members of the new league were New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, Detroit, Chicago, Providence, Toronto, St. Louis, and Boston. The league played in big arenas in large cities but the players were not as talented as the ones in the National Basketball League, the recognized league operating chiefly in smaller cities in the Midwest. However, some people from the NBL joined the fray and the strength of B.A.A picked up as college stars and fresh young talent entered the league. The regular season started and the Washington Capitols were the clear winners in the Eastern Division, with the Philadelphia Warriors taking second place and the New York Knickerbockers grabbing the third and final playoff spot.

The Western Division had the Chicago Stags narrowly edging out the St.Louis Bombers with a one-gain tiebreaker at the end of the regular season. The Cleveland Rebels acquired the third playoff spot. The playoff system devised by the league pitted the first ranking teams, the second ranking teams and the third ranking teams against each other in the opening round. The games began with the Stags usurping the Caps in six games and Philadelphia outdoing St. Louis in a three-game showdown of second-place finishers, while New York defeated Cleveland in three games in the third bracket. The Warriors defeated the Knicks to move into the finals with the Stags.

The finals of the first championship of BAA (the present day NBA) opened in Philadelphia with Joe Fulks scoring 37 points, leading his Warriors to a victory against the Stags. Though the Stags won the fourth game, the Warriors won the overall title with an 83-80 victory with a 34-point contribution from Fulks. Howie Dallmar is credited with hitting the winning basket to break an 80-80 tie, with only a minute left before the finish of the game.

The history of Basketball has witnessed a lot of landmark events that have increased the popularity of the game to dizzying heights. It is almost a second religion to the sport-loving people in the US. No doubt, basketball is heralded as a sport that gives a healthy balance to the physical, mental and spiritual state. This is truly the game that keeps you on your toes!

History of Wimbledon

The first Wimbledon tennis championship took place in 1877 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, UK. The event was initially held to raise money to fix a broken roller at the private club but instead, has evolved to become the most prestigious tennis event in the entire world. Wimbledon history is rich with fascinating tales of bygone years, the players, and the evolution of the modern facilities.
Wimbledon 1877

The only event at the first Wimbledon Championships was the men's singles; women weren't permitted to play until 1884, when Ladies' singles and men's doubles were added. Spencer Gore won the first title out of a pool of 22 players, making him instantly and always famous as the very first Wimbledon tennis champion. Approximately 200 spectators paid one shilling each to see the final match in 1877.

That first year, the players wore hats and ties and were admonished to wear shoes without heels. Serves were played underarm and the tennis balls were hand sewn. The colors of Wimbledon have always been purple and green with the players wearing almost all white. The court reserved for the finals is the most famous court at Wimbledon, Centre Court, and is the most prestigious of all the 19 courts. Courts 1 and 2 will also host championship tennis events.

The Wimbledon Championship was first played at the private club situated off Worple Road; however, the club relocated to Church Road in 1922 and has undergone several renovations since. The event takes place over a 2 week period in June, six weeks from the first Monday in August. Only 3 times in its more than 100 year history, has the event lasted longer due to rain.

Wimbledon Trivia

Interestingly enough, the Wimbledon Championship is still played on grass; the only grand slam event to have that distinction.

Dunlop Slazenger has provided tennis balls for the Wimbledon Championship since 1902.

The men's singles champion wins a silver gilt cup and the ladies' singles champion wins a sterling silver salver known as the Rosewater Dish.

Strawberries and cream is the traditional food fare at Wimbledon.

Wimbledon Winners

Martina Navratilova is the Wimbledon tennis champion and the Wimbledon past winner with the most titles for Ladies' singles – 9. The Wimbledon past winner for the most men's singles is tied at seven titles each for Pete Sampras and William Renshaw. Roger Federer is the most recent Wimbledon tennis champion and Wimbledon past winner for the men's singles championship and has won the title four consecutive times from 2003 – 2006.

Wimbledon Today

2007 will greet approximately 500,000 fans with millions more following the event through the press, Internet, radio, and television. Players come from more than 60 nations to compete in this prestigious event. For the first time in Wimbledon history, the men and the women will be paid the same amount beginning with the 2007 event. The men have historically won more than the women but 2007 will award $1.54 million to each of the ladies' and men's singles champion.

The History of Tennis

The history of tennis dates back several thousand years. The game was first created by European monks to be played for entertainment purposes during religious ceremonies.

History of Tennis: Early Years

The history of tennis dates back several thousand years. The game was first created by European monks to be played for entertainment purposes during religious ceremonies. To begin with, the ball was hit with the hand. Soon the leather glove came into existence. This was soon replaced with an adaptive handle for effective hitting and serving of the ball. Thus was born the first racquet. With the evolution of the racket, the tennis balls also underwent frequent alterations. The first tennis ball was wooden. It gave way to a bouncier, leather ball filled with cellulose material. The monasteries across Europe cherished the game during the 14th century much to the chagrin of the Church.

The game soon became very popular, predominantly in France where it was adopted by the royal family. During the period between the 16th and 18th centuries, the game called ' Jeu de paumme' - the game of the palm was a highly regarded by kings and noblemen. The French players would begin the game by shouting the word “tenez!” which meant “Play!” The game soon came to be called royal or “real tennis.”

In 1874, Major Walter Wingfield acquired the patent rights for the equipments and rules for the game which bore close resemblance to the modern tennis. On the same year, the first tennis courts emerged in the United States. The game soon spread to different parts of the world like Russia, Canada, China and India. The smooth croquet courts served as ready tennis courts during those times. The original court devised by Wingfield was in the shape of an hourglass which tapered at the net. It was shorter than the modern court which we have today. His version of tennis courts and the rules of games underwent a fair amount of changes and amendments till the game gave to the modernized version which is played today.

History of open tennis US

The US Open tennis tournament, also known as “Open” or “US Open” is the fourth and the last event of the Grand Slam tennis tournaments. The tennis matches are placed for a period of two weeks, generally in the months of August or September, annually. The history of the open tennis is borne from two distinct tournaments-one for women and the other for men. The event was first held in August 1881 at Newport Casino in Newport Rhode Island. It was a men’s singles tournament and it was called the US National Singles Championship for men. .

The year 1900 saw the US Nation Men’s Double Championship being played for the first time. The first official US Women’s National Singles Championship was played at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in the year 1887. Ellen Hansel was the winner of the tournament. This was soon followed by the US Women’s National Doubles Championship in the year 1889.

US open tennis history

It has been a good 121 years since the first US open tennis game was played. It is the richest tennis tournament in the world with about $15 million as prize money and the triumph is definitely worth the sweat. The thought of creating the US open came to light after the US Lawn Tennis Association, founded in May 1881, volunteered to hold a national championship.

Twenty six players graced the introductory contest held in Newport Island, Rhode Island. It was called the US National Singles Championship. The members from the US National Lawn Tennis Association were only eligible to play the competition. The first singles winner was Richard Sears. He not only won the tournament for the first year but he was the reigning champion for the next six years.

The men’s Doubles happened because the championship began to move around the country with nine different places hosting the event at least once. The men’s doubles was split into an East and West competition. Clarence Clark and W.F. Taylor took the first doubles title for the match held in the year 1900.

The commencement of “Open era” (whereby players could play in all tournaments), in 1968, led to creation of the modern event as we know presently. Five different competitions were merged into one US Open Championship, held at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. The prize money was at $100,000, and was shared fittingly between the 96 men and 63 women who graced the event. In 1970, the US Open was the first tennis tournament to introduce the tie-breaker system. By the year 1978, the tournament was shifted to its current home or the courts for the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadow, New York.

Tennis scoring history

There are two theories which revolve around the Tennis scoring history. The first one states that the scoring has its origins in ancient numerology. In medieval times, the number 60 was considered auspicious or “complete” in a similar manner to which the number 100 is considered to be a “complete” figure now. The medieval adaptation of tennis thus considered 60 to be the “game” with steps of four points like 15, 30, 45 (or 40 as it is today) and finally 60.

The second theory is attributed to the presence of a clock at the end of the tennis court. A quarter move of the clock hand was made after each break with the score being referred to as 15, 30, 45 and finally 60.

History of the Tennis court

The early tennis courts were quite different from the current day lawn tennis courts most of us are familiar with. The early version of the game is now called “real tennis” and England’s Hampton court built in 1625 is still used presently. Courts of the present times are hardly used today. The court then was a narrow indoor court where the ball was played off walls. The net was five feet high on the ends and three feet high in the middle.

The year 1877 saw the All England Club coming up with the first Wimbledon tournament and the tournament committee played with a rectangular court and played with a set of rules that are associated with the modernized version the game.

Tennis particularly, the US Open is a test of skill, accuracy and agility. There is a huge amount of prize money to be won and a name to be earned for oneself. The game is popular with billions of people around the world. If you want to be fit and agile, grab the racquet and head out for an invigorating game of tennis!

FOOTBALL GLOSSARY

The glossary terms and definitions on this page: [A] To [Z]

Astroturf:
an artificial surface used instead of grass on many football fields.

audible:
verbal commands shouted by the quarterback to his teammates at the line of scrimmage to change a play on short notice.

backfield:
the area behind the line of scrimmage.

backs:
the running backs; the halfback and the fullback.

ball carrier:
any player who has possession of the ball.

beat:
when a player gets past an opponent trying to block or tackle him.

blackout:
when a regional network TV affiliate is forbidden from showing a local game because it is not sold out.

blitz:
a play where the defensive team sends players rushing towards the line of scrimmage as soon as the ball is snapped to try to sack the quarterback.

blocking:
the act of preventing a defensive player from getting to the ball carrier; blockers use their arms and bodies but may not hold an opponent.

bomb:
a long pass thrown to a receiver sprinting down the field.

bowl game:
a college football game played in late-December or early-January, after the regular season, between two successful teams.

bump-and-run:
a technique used by pass defenders, where they hit a receiver once within 5 yards (1 yard in college) of the line of scrimmage to slow him down, and then follow him to prevent him from catching a pass.

call a play:
instruct players to execute a pre-planned play.

clipping:
blocking an opponent below the waist from behind; this illegal block is a personal foul, punishable by a 15-yard penalty.

complete pass:
a forward pass to a teammate who catches it in the air.

conferences:
groups into which teams are divided in professional and college football; the NFL is divided into National and American Conferences.

controlling the game clock:
the use of tactics by an offensive team to either save or use up time on the game clock, which often dictates its choice of plays.

cover or coverage:
preventing a player from gaining yards; in pass coverage, a defender follows a receiver to prevent him from catching a pass; in kick coverage, members of the kicking team try to prevent a long kick return.

cut back:
a sudden change in direction taken by a to make it more difficult for defenders to follow and tackle him.

dead ball:
a ball becomes dead when a play is over and becomes live as soon as it is snapped for the next play.

division:
in the NFL, sub-groups within conferences, such as the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Divisions; also, a grouping of teams in college football, where Division I contains the most competitive teams and Division III the least.

double coverage:
when 2 defensive players cover one receiver.

down:
one of 4 chances a team on offense has to gain 10 yards; also, the state of a player who has just been tackled; also, a ball that a player touches to the ground in the end zone to get a touchback.

down the field:
in the direction of the opponent’s goal line.

draft choice:
a player chosen by a professional sports team from a pool of college players in an annual draft.

drive:
the series of plays a team puts together in an attempt to score.

drop back:
when a quarterback, after taking the snap, takes a few steps backward into an area called the pocket to get ready to pass.

drop kick:
a type of free kick where a player drops the ball and kicks it right after it hits the ground; rarely used today.

eligible receiver:
a player allowed by the rules to catch a forward pass; all offensive players are eligible except linemen and the quarterback, who must notify the referee if they wish to become eligible and stand at least one yard behind the line of scrimmage before the snap.

encroachment:
if a player (besides the center) is in the neutral zone and contact occurs prior to the snap; a foul punishable by a 5-yard penalty.

end line:
the boundary line that runs the width of the field along each end.

end zone:
the area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines, which a team on offense tries to enter to score a touchdown.

extra point(s):
additional point(s) scored by a team after it has scored a touchdown, either by a point-after-touchdown (1 point) or a 2-point conversion (2 points).

fair catch:
when a kick returner decides only to catch a punt or kickoff and not advance it, protecting himself from being hit by an opponent; he signals for a fair catch by raising one hand in the air and waving it.

field goal:
a place kick that passes above the crossbar and between the uprights of the goalpost, earning the team that kicked it 3 points.

field position:
the location of a team on the field relative to the two goal lines; good field position for a team is near its opponent’s goal line, while bad field position is close to its own goal line.

first down:
the first chance out of 4 that a team on offense has to advance 10 yards down the field; as soon as it gains those yards, it earns a new first down.

forward pass:
a pass thrown by a team closer to the opponent’s goal line; a team is allowed to throw only one forward pass per play, and it must be thrown from behind the team’s line of scrimmage.

forward progress:
the location to which a ball carrier has advanced the ball, even if he was pushed backwards after getting there.

foul:
a violation of football’s rules by a team or player, punishable by a penalty.

franchise:
a team; the legal arrangement that establishes ownership of a team.

free agent:
a player whose contract with his most recent team has expired, allowing him to sign a new contract with any team that makes him an offer.

free kick:
a type of kick taken to start or restart play after a team has scored, with no defenders nearer than 10 yards away; includes a kickoff and a kick after a safety.

fumble:
when a ball carrier loses possession by dropping the ball or having it knocked away before a play ends; the first player to regain possession of the loose ball is said to make the recovery, and his team becomes the offense.

goal line:
a line drawn across the width of the field, 10 yards inside each end line, which a team must cross with the ball to score a touchdown.

goalpost:
a tall metallic structure that stands at the back of each end zone; consists of a crossbar and two uprights that extend upward from it, supported directly above the end line by a base; teams try to kick the ball above the crossbar and between the uprights to score a field goal or extra point.

going for it:
when a team facing a fourth down decides to try for a new first down instead of punting; if it fails, it loses possession of the ball.

hand-off:
a running play where the quarterback hands the ball to a back.

hang time:
the length of time a punt is in the air.

Heisman Trophy:
an award presented annually by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York to the best college football player in the country.

holding:
a foul where a player impedes the movement of an opponent by grasping or hooking any part of his body or uniform; punishable by a penalty — 10 yards if against the offense, 5 yards (10 yards in college) plus a first down if against the defense.

home field advantage:
the benefit a team gets by playing games in the area where it is based, due to fan support, familiarity with its surroundings and the lack of required travel.

home game:
a game played in a team’s own stadium.

in bounds:
the region of the field inside the sidelines and end lines.

incomplete pass:
a forward pass that touches the ground before being caught.

intentional grounding:
a foul called against a quarterback who purposely throws an incomplete forward pass solely to avoid a sack; cannot be called if the pass lands at or beyond the line of scrimmage.

interception:
a pass caught in the air (picked off) by a defender whose team immediately gains possession of the ball and becomes the offense.

kickoff:
when a player kicks a ball from a tee at his own 30-yard line (35 in college) to the opposing team, whose player tries to advance it the other way; used to start the game, the second half and overtime, and to restart play after each score.

lateral:
a pass thrown to a teammate backwards from the team’s line of scrimmage or parallel to it; unlike a forward pass (which can be thrown only once per play), players may lateral the ball as often as they want.

line of scrimmage:
an imaginary line which no player may cross before the snap; each team has its own line of scrimmage, separated by the neutral zone.

lineman:
a player who starts each play within 1 yard of his line of scrimmage.

live ball:
a ball becomes live as soon as it is snapped or free kicked (as in a kickoff); opposite of a dead ball.

loose ball:
a ball that is not in possession of either team, such as after a fumble or a kickoff; it can be recovered by either team.

man-in-motion:
a single player on the offense who is permitted to move prior to the snap; he may only run parallel to the line of scrimmage or away from it.

midfield:
the 50-yard line, which divides the length of the field in half.

necessary line:
the imaginary line the offense must cross to achieve a new first down.

neutral zone:
the region that contains the ball as it sits on the ground before each play; the area between the two lines of scrimmage.

NFL (National Football League):
the major professional football league in the U.S. with 32 teams; its headquarters are in New York.

NFL Championship:
the game held from 1933 through 1965 to decide the champion of professional football; renamed the Super Bowl in 1966.

nickel defense:
when a defense brings in a 5th defensive back to replace a linebacker on the field, increasing its pass coverage.

offending team:
the team that committed a foul.

offside:
when any part of a player’s body is beyond his line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped; a foul punishable by a 5-yard penalty.

on downs:
the term used to describe a team’s loss of possession if it fails to reach the necessary line on a fourth down play.

open receiver:
a player who has no defender closely covering him.

out of bounds:
the region of the field touching or outside the sidelines and end lines; as soon as a ball carrier or the ball itself touches out of bounds, the play is over.

pass defender:
a defensive player who covers an opposing receiver.

pass patterns or pass routes:
pre-determined paths receivers follow to help the passer quickly locate them so he can more easily get them the ball.

pass protection:
blocking by offensive players to keep defenders away from the quarterback on passing plays.

pass rush:
a surge by defenders to get past blockers and sack the quarterback.

personal foul:
a foul that might cause injury; punishable by a 15-yard penalty.

picked off:
intercepted.

pitch-out:
a lateral tossed from a quarterback to a running back.

place kick:
a kick towards the goalpost for a field goal or extra point; held between the ground and another player’s finger.

play:
a spurt of action that begins with a snap and ends with a dead ball.

play clock:
a clock displayed above each end zone that limits the time teams may take between plays to 40 seconds (30 in college); the ball must be snapped before the clock runs down to 0.

play-action pass:
a passing play after the quarterback has faked a hand-off.

playoffs:
the post-season tournament that determines the NFL champion.

pocket:
the area behind the offensive line, where the quarterback is protected by his blockers.

point-after-touchdown (PAT):
a place kick taken from the opponent’s 2-yard line (3-yard line in college); awarded to a team that has scored a touchdown, it is worth 1 point if it goes through the goalpost.

possession:
to be holding or in control of the football.

previous spot:
where the ball was snapped to begin the last play.

punt:
when a player 10 yards behind the center catches a snap, drops it and kicks it before it hits the ground; an opponent tries to catch and advance it the other way.

pylon:
a short orange marker at each of the end zone’s 4 corners.

quarterback:
the leader of a team’s offense, he takes the snap from the center and either hands the ball to a running back to run with, passes it to a receiver or runs with it himself; he also communicates each play to his teammates.

reading the defense:
recognition by the quarterback of the defensive formation; he may then call an audible to adjust the offense.

receiver:
an offensive player who catches or attempts to catch a forward pass.

recovery:
to gain or regain possession of a fumble.

red shirt:
a designation given to a college player who did not play in any games during a particular year due to injury or coach's choice; such a player is permitted to practice with the team during that season and is granted an additional year of eligibility; most often used to describe college freshmen who are held out of games their first year to mature, becoming "red shirt freshmen" in their second or sophomore year of college.

red zone:
the imaginary area between the defense's 20-yard line and its goal line from which the offense is most likely to score points.

return:
an attempt by a player who has just caught an interception, punt, or kickoff to advance the ball the other way.

roll out:
when a quarterback runs parallel to the line, looking for a receiver.

rookie:
a first-year player in the NFL.

rush:
a running play; also, a pass rush.

sack:
a tackle of the quarterback behind his line of scrimmage.

safety:
when a ball carrier is tackled in his own end zone after bringing the ball there under his own power; the defense earns 2 points and receives a free kick from the offense’s own 20-yard line.

scrambling:
evasive movements by a quarterback to avoid being sacked.

series:
the group of 4 downs a team has to advance 10 yards.

sideline:
the boundary line that runs the length of the field along each side; a ball carrier or ball that touches or crosses the sideline is out of bounds.

single-elimination:
a tournament where a team is eliminated after one loss.

snap:
when the center while facing forward quickly hands the ball between his legs to a player standing behind him (usually the quarterback) to start each play.

special teams:
the group of players who participate in kicking plays.

spike:
when a player throws the ball at the ground to celebrate a touchdown.

spiral:
a ball passed or kicked with a spin which propels it further with more accuracy; the ball points the same direction throughout its flight.

spot:
a location on the field, determined by an official, to mark forward progress or the place of a foul.

stiff arm (or straight arm):
a push by a ball carrier to ward off a tackler.

succeeding spot:
where the next play would start if no penalty was called.

Super Bowl:
the championship game of the NFL, played between the champions of the AFC and NFC at a neutral site each January; it is the culmination of the NFL playoffs.

tackle:
a player position on both the offensive and defensive lines; there is usually a left and right offensive tackle, and a left and right defensive tackle; See also tackling.

tackling:
contacting a ball carrier to cause him to touch the ground with any part of his body except his hands, thereby ending the play.

territory:
the half of the field a team protects against its opponents.

third-and-long:
when the offense faces a third down and is more than a short running play away from a first down; usually third-and-5 or greater.

touchback:
when a player who gains possession of a ball in his own end zone kneels to the ground and automatically starts the next play at his own 20-yard line; also awarded if his opponent kicks the ball across the end line.

touchdown (TD):
when a team crosses the opponent’s goal line with the ball, catches a pass in the opponent’s end zone, or recovers a loose ball in the opponent’s end zone; earns a team 6 points.

turnover:
the involuntary loss of possession of the ball during a play, either by a fumble or by throwing an interception.

2-point conversion:
when a team that just scored a touchdown starts a play at the opponent’s 2-yard line (3-yard line in college) and crosses the goal line to earn 2 points; when successful, it looks just like a touchdown; introduced to the NFL in 1994.

Wild Card:
a team that makes the NFL playoffs by having one of the 2 best records among non-division winners in its conference.

winning percentage:
the percentage of its games a team has won during a period of time, given by the following formula:

Winning Percentage = (#wins + #ties/2)/(#games played)