Boxing and kickboxing are both types of combat sports that require extensive training and dedication to hone these skills and use them for either self-defense or in a professional fight. Both sports are considered quite physically demanding, where a person puts their body and mental health on the line fight after fight. The growing popularity of the two can serve as a testimonial that people are willing to watch these fights at local and international levels.  Learning the difference between these two art forms is only the initial step in the process. Once you know how these martial arts differ, you can decide for yourself whether or not you want to take up boxing or kickboxing.   Boxing  Boxing is one of the most popular combat sports; only punching the target above the waist is allowed. Kicking or any other form of combat is considered a quick foul. Thus, a boxer has to utilize various strategies and practices that ensure they can penetrate their opponent's defenses and land a blow. These strategies can include head movement, defense tactics, and the distance you can maintain from your opponent throughout the match.   Kickboxing   On the other side of the coin, kickboxing is a form of combat sport in which punching, kicking, and kneeing are allowed but using the elbow to strike the opponent is prohibited. It's also worth noting that this is a stand-up battle in which grappling is only allowed for a limited time. The fighters are bare-feet in the ring, which favors kicking the opponent.    Differences between kickboxing and boxing  Now let's get into the nitty-gritty of the differences between kickboxing and boxing. These contrasts include the equipment and rules or techniques to follow during the match.  In boxing, the opponents are only allowed to punch each other above waist height, while in kickboxing, the opponents can utilize various strategies such as punching, kicking, and sweeping the opponent. Keep in mind that the use of the elbow to strike the opponent is forbidden. Holding or grappling an opponent with the immediate reason to strike the opponent is considered a foul. Kickboxing rules allow for all kinds of kicks. For example, various specialists from taekwondo and karate managed to use unorthodox strikes with great success. Boxers use special lightweight shoes during boxing because they help in fast movement during the fight, while kickboxers fight barefoot because it facilitates their ability to kick their opponent. Kickboxers also use more protective gear than boxers, such as shin guards and kneepads.  The addition of kicks makes kickboxing quite different than boxing. However, the punches and the ways to defend them are pretty much the same. It's safe to say that kickboxing borrowed these techniques from boxing and then added the kicking game. Now that you're aware of the critical differences between boxing and kickboxing, let us know what you think! Which sport calls out to you more, and which sport feels like more of a challenge? We wish you the best of fortune either way.

Karate is a Japanese martial art whose physical aspects seek the development of defensive and counterattacking body movements. The themes of traditional karate training are fighting and self-defense. On the other hand, Taekwondo is a form of Korean martial arts characterized by punching and kicking techniques. The focus of the fight is on head-height kicks, spinning jump kicks, and fast-kicking techniques.  Karate and Taekwondo are beneficial in situations where you must defend yourself. Many forms of Taekwondo are related to jumping and spinning kicks, whereas some aspects of karate focus on simple but effective strikes that come with less margin of error. Both martial arts forms have specific rules and guidelines that govern their competitions. In a competition, a score will be determined by judges based on how well the martial art was executed. In tournaments, karate generally gives points equally for both punches and kicks. Taekwondo gives higher points to kicks, which is why you’ll see more kicking in taekwondo competitions.   Main differences between the two forms of martial arts Karate is more popularly known as the art of striking. It features kicking, punching, and other open-handed techniques. Although joint manipulations, vital point striking, grappling, and throws are taught with the same emphasis within a class setting. Karate allows the person to defeat their opponent using kicking and striking. Taekwondo, however, is famous for using kicking techniques, which makes it different from karate. The reason behind this is that the leg is the strongest and longest weapon a martial artist has, and kicks can execute powerful strikes. Taekwondo is taught in two different forms, and these are Kata and sparring. Kata, similar to karate, is known as “form,” a choreographed routine of martial arts movements. On the other hand, Taekwondo sparring is full-contact fighting using a combination of offensive and defensive tricks and techniques against your opponent. On the other hand, karate has all the fundamental movements in its learning system. It consists of the Three K, including Kata, Kihon, and Kumite. Kihon stands for basics and is the root of style and art.   Similarities between the two forms There are three main commonalities between Karate and Taekwondo. These similarities are:  The first is that they are both taught as a form of self-defense. Although what they emphasize may differ, their primary focus is self-defense. Second, they both are linear martial arts, which essentially means straightforward. If you are interested in becoming skilled in basic self-defense concepts and techniques, then either art will do. Third, they both require you to learn the basics first.    Which art should you learn? The answer to this question depends on the person, and there is no unified answer. It depends on which art you prefer and the reason you have for learning that specific form of skill. It is vital that you figure out what style is available in your area and which suits you and your abilities. 

Martial arts are not only a way of self-defense or a way to spice up the movies you watch. Like all arts, martial arts are a way to improve and discipline yourself. Picking up martial arts is something that most people have thought of at some point in their lives, predominantly in their younger years. Still, people often get dazed by the myriad of martial arts, be it Kungfu, Jujitsu, or Taekwondo; the choices seem almost endless. This article will aid you in learning the differences between the most common types of martial arts.   Kung Fu Kung Fu is quite possibly the first thing that pops to mind when thinking of martial arts. It generally tries to mimic the flow of nature and its inhabitants, though sometimes Kung Fu is also inspired by various philosophies. The fighting style varies significantly on what type of Kung Fu you try to master, though most are very fast-paced and jerky.   Karate Karate is a form of Japanese martial art that teaches the learner how to use his limbs as though they are weapons. Strikes are fast and swift, and a greater emphasis is put on punching than kicking.   Jujitsu Jujitsu encompasses the art of subduing an opponent who has a weapon with either no weapon at all or an inferior weapon. This martial art focuses intensely on pinning down the opponent's body and using their might against them.   Judo Where Jujitsu relies on using the opponent's might against himself, Judo only tries to teach a learner how to subdue an opponent while trying to hurt them as little as possible. Attacks usually only consist of ways to get the opponent into a more harmless position, such as pinned to the floor. Joint locks, chokes, and strangleholds are also encouraged to be used in most situations, as these moves usually only prove to make the opponent uneasy enough to stop being violent.   Taekwondo Taekwondo is the broadest martial art, as it does not have a general direction except for a few preferences. Masters of Taekwondo can be great at all-around fighting as they learn to subdue and damage the opponent. Take up this martial art if you wish to be a jack of all trades.   Tai Chi Tai Chi might be one of the most mischaracterized martial art. The western style of Tai Chi removes all the self-defense training it offers, relying solely on its benefits to a person's health. Movements can be slow yet effective in self-defense and the more meditative side of this martial art.   To sum it up All of these martial arts have one thing in common–discipline. If you choose to pick up any martial arts, you must remember to stick to them. The main goal of learning martial arts should be taking up whatever the journey offers you in terms of self-improvement and not idealizing becoming a master of your body overnight. That concludes this article on the different types of martial arts!

Sports are an essential part of student life and have countless benefits for both their mental and physical well-being. Most schools often offer a wide range of sports to students so they can choose the one they love and have fun with while also benefiting from the advantages. With that said, it can be helpful to look at some of the best options that schools typically offer and how they can be more fun than others! So, let's get into it:   Football This is a childhood favorite of mine and a sport that I've played all my life! Football involves teams of 11 or 5 (depending on the size of the pitch), and the objective is to put the ball in the opposing team's net. Players can use any part of their body to score beside their hands and forearms. Each goal equals one point, and the team with the most goals wins at the end. In case of a tie, the teams go to extra time. If the game remains goalless even after that, the match is decided by a penalty shoot-out! Football is one of the most accessible and widely offered sports at school and is a great option, especially for students.   Cricket More popular in Asia and Europe, cricket is a sport similar to baseball, where two teams compete to get the most runs. Runs are scored by whichever team is batting at that time, with no more than two batsmen on the pitch at a time. The bowling team can have all eleven players out on the pitch, with one bowler and ten fielders. The team with the most runs in each of their batting performances (known as innings). To play cricket, you'll need at least one bat, a cricket ball, wickets, and a pitch to play on.   Table Tennis Some of my best memories were formed around a table tennis game. All you need is a pair of rackets, a table tennis ball, and a table to play on, which most schools often have. The game requires very little setup and effort to play and packs hours of fun and exercise! The objective is to hit the ball past the other player's half without letting it bounce in your half. At the same time, the ball must bounce in the other player's half at least once, or it will count as a point against you!   Basketball Basketball is another game where you can get full body exercise while having lots of fun and building your teamwork skills simultaneously. The game involves five players on each side who must coordinate to throw the ball into the other team's hoop. If the points are scored from outside the 3-point arc, the team is rewarded with 3 points, while points inside the arc are counted as 2 points. The team with the most points at the end wins! All you need to get started is a basketball court and a basketball.

Regardless of whether you have been playing for some time or are just starting off as a novice, there is always room for improving and enhancing your skills. Specific strategies deal with the psychological and physical aspects of the game that can help you improve your skills in badminton. The strategies we'll share today are bound to show improvements that will elevate your game, but their long-term impact will be long-term.  Let's get right into the meat of the discussion.   The game in your mind The psychological aspects of the game as equally as important as the physical aspects, and these can help you get the extra boost to your game and a competitive edge. It is essential to control your nerves during an important game because it is easy to overthink even the basics and lose sight of the task at hand. When your nerves are under control, you can understand the necessary gameplay and devise strategies as you go along. Another important psychological aspect is being consistent. It is easy not to see the result at the start and lose motivation and give up too soon. Regardless of the strategies and game plan, you have chosen, it is crucial to stick to it and give them time to show you results. As the saying goes, "Practice makes perfect," so consistency is essential and is what's going to elevate your badminton game over time. Another important thing is watching people play. The mind retains and builds up from watching the gameplay of others and realizing what you would have done in a similar situation. This form of skill acquisition does not need much effort and can have lasting impacts on your game.    Tips that will improve your game  Moving towards the physical aspects of the game will help you elevate your game. One of the essential things that people often brush under the carpet is warming up before a game. Warming up lets you get physically ready for the task at hand so that your body and mind are at the same level during the game. Another vital thing to consider is ensuring you have the correct technique. This will serve as the foundation from which you can build up and improve your game. Make sure you've perfected your basic stroke play so that you can rely on it during the game. The basics that seem too tedious to spend too much time on can have a lasting impact on your performance.  You should also ensure that you have an adequate grip on your racket, which is neither too tight nor too loose. An adequate grip will help you switch the racket between grips without dropping it during a game.  Finally, it is essential to work on your movement and footwork. This will help you quickly cover the ground when attempting to retrieve a shot or going for the smash. It is important to utilize a wider stance because it will help you cover more area and make it easier for you to play the shots that would have seemed out of reach. 

Introduced back in the mid-nineteenth century, baseball has now become a household name across the United States. Major League Baseball, or MLB for short, has the honor of being the oldest major professional sports league in the world, and watching baseball have been dubbed "America's National pastime." On the surface, baseball seems like a pretty straightforward game, and for the most part, it is, but some terminologies and rules can be confusing. If you are one of those, who find the sport of baseball perplexing, then don't worry and keep on reading because we will walk you through everything there is to know about baseball.   How a typical game of baseball plays out In a typical baseball game, There are eighteen players on the field, nine on each team. Each team takes turns batting and bowling over the course of nine innings. The offensive team tries to score as many runs as possible, while the defensive players try their hardest to limit the score to a minimum, and obviously, the team with the most runs wins the match.   A baseball field The home plate, first base, second base, and third base make up the four corners of the square-shaped field on which the ball is pitched, and the batters make the runs. The home plate is where the batter stands and the ball is thrown, whereas the first base is located on the far right of the home base. Similarly, the second and the third base are located on the opposite side and the far left side of the home base, respectively. The area beyond the square field is known as the outfield, whereas the area inside is called the infield. Other than this, located in the center of the infield is the pitcher's mound. This is where the pitcher from the defensive team stands and delivers Curveballs, Cutters, Changeups, Knuckleballs, and various other pitches.   How runs are made During an inning, the defensive side's pitcher will throw the ball toward the offensive team player who is in batting position at home plate. The ball must reach the batter without touching the ground. The batter will hit the ball in an area where the defensive fielders can get to it quickly, or the batter can hit the ball beyond the fielder's reach, i.e., beyond the boundary. If the batter cannot hit it across the boundary, then all four players run from their bases to the next one. If the batter reaches the home plate successfully, provided that the ball is not caught midair, and a fielder doesn't throw the ball back to the first base, the batter is awarded a run. A batter is also out if he misses the pitch three times, provided that the pitches made are valid.   Conclusion Baseball is one of the most thrilling sports to watch or play right now, and as it has such simple rules and gameplay, it is much easier for beginners to get into. Even someone who knows only the basic rules can enjoy this beautiful game.

Life can be fun if you give a slightly sporty touch to it. Imagine you plan to play badminton, and your friends are over, but suddenly, it starts raining. You would surely be in need of some game to entertain you. If that's your situation and you're looking for good indoor games to try out, you're at the perfect place.  Here, we'll discuss the top five sports you can play indoors while keeping your boredom at bay.   Chess Chess is the most popular indoor game, which involves two players. All you need is a chess board, chess pieces, and of course, a friend. Chess is not simply a game or a source of amusement; instead, it requires excellent mental capability and intellect to play the game. It is the best indoor game to improve your brain functionality. It helps boost memory, develops decision-making skills, and improves creativity. Chess can also help with several health conditions, including dementia, ADHD, and panic attacks.   Carrom The second most popular indoor game is Carrom. It is a tabletop game that originated from the Indian Subcontinent. At a time, a maximum of four players can be involved in the game. If you're wondering how Carrom can help with your health, you'd be surprised to find out its significant impact on your logical thinking power, visual perception, and hand-eye coordination. Studies show that involving your brain in such kinds of metal games can improve your brain and also help reduce stress.   Snooker Snooker is another cue sport that can easily be played indoors. It consists of a rectangular table covered with a green cloth, a cue stick, and twenty-two cue balls. Though it requires great focus, skill, and determination, it is one of the best mentally relaxing activities. People who play snooker have the potential to develop better cognitive and teamwork skills, good strategizing, and better planning. Due to continuous bending and stretching, snooker can help tone your muscles and strengthens body balance. Snooker also helps develop self-control and reduce panic in case of a crisis.   Table tennis Table tennis, or whiff-whaff, is a sport that consists of two or four players hitting a lightweight ping-pong ball back and forth with small rackets. This sport simultaneously stimulates different parts of the human brain and also helps to improve one's hand-eye coordination and body balance.   Cards The cards game includes a wide range of games that can be played using a single deck of cards. Cards game plays a vital role in boosting one's memory, improving logical reasoning and decision-making skills, and also relieves mental pressure. It also helps one's ability to integrate socially and communicate in a better way.  So when you are stuck in your house, unable to go out, and severely hit by boredom, you can certainly opt for any of these indoor games. These games will help you spend quality time while staying at home and also leave a pleasing impact on your mind and memory.

If you're looking for a fun yet challenging sport that you can also play with your family members, figure skating is where it's at. You've probably come across various clips on your social media feed of figure skaters twirling and leaping with utmost grace, and you also might have wondered what it would be like if you were the one skating instead. It's a fantastic sport; we don't blame you! But you need the right tools to guide you at the start of your journey to avoid ending up in an unproductive rut. This is why we've created the ultimate easy-to-read guide to getting started with figure skating. Keep reading to find out more.   What you'll need Comfortable and warm clothing to help battle the cold Figure skating boots made of leather or vinyl Figure skating blades and blade guards Protective gear, such as a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads   Getting started You've stepped onto the rink, and the nerves are catching up to you. You're probably ruminating over how bad an idea this was, but we're here to give you a gentle reminder to stop overthinking. Take a deep breath and take your first step forward. There are often instructors and skating aids available to help you out if you're a complete newbie. This may sound counter-intuitive, but the first thing you should do is to get comfortable with the idea of falling. No one gets it right on their first try; you're bound to hit the ground many, many times before you can glide properly. What matters is that you pick yourself up in the proper form and try again! You can move on to basic gliding and turning when you're over your fear of falling. Skating aids are a great help when you want a basic feel of the rink, and you can eventually ditch them once you get comfortable. Learn how to glide, turn, and take longer strokes until you can do all these motions confidently. You'll also need to learn how to stop during this period: stand with your feet together and push one foot off to the side so that it stops your movement. The more you practice, the smoother this move will get over time.   Key things to keep in mind Practice is essential; take your time with all there is to learn. All you need to do is stay consistent and show up to the rink every time. Don't skip your warm-ups. Many people consider warming up a waste of precious time but trust us; you need it. Warming up can help you get in the groove and also help prevent injuries or strains when you're skating. Don't look down while skating. Make sure that you keep your head up so that you avoid colliding with any objects or any other skaters in the rink. We hope these tips were helpful to you! Good luck with your skating practice.

Feeling inspired after the recent ICC T20 World Cup? Cricket sure looks fun! But what even is this sport, and how do you play it? Compared to something like football, the rules can certainly seem confusing and the terminologies used during the game. Well, fret not because we will discuss everything cricket in this article today! Let's get into it with the following:   What is Cricket? Cricket is an 11-man sport played on a circular field. There are two innings in which both teams alternate between batting and bowling. The team that is bowling has to prevent the other team from scoring runs (points) and boundaries by either making it difficult for them to hit the bowl or trying to get a wicket, which means the batsman goes off. Each team gets ten wickets total, and there can only be two batsmen on the field at a time. All 11 players are on the pitch for the team that is bowling. One player is the bowler, which is rotated between the selected bowlers as the team captain sees fit, while the rest are fielders; scattered around the pitch to prevent boundaries and runs. For a detailed list of the rules, you can look at this guide to get a more detailed idea.   How Can You Get Started With it? There are four essentials to playing cricket: A cricket bat A ball Wickets or stumps A pitch to play in Unlike a baseball bat, a cricket bat is flat on one side and curved on the other, with only the flat side being used exclusively to hit the ball. The bats vary in weight, so when you're starting, it should be helpful to opt for a lighter one and change it if you feel the need later on. Note that the bat's weight is entirely a personal preference depending on the batsman. Moving on, we have the cricket ball, which is unlike any other ball in other sports. The ball is either white or red in colour and is made of leather. The ball tends to be really heavy and is quite hard, which puts new players at risk of injury if it makes contact with the body. Generally, new players and even seasoned ones that play casually tend to use a tennis ball instead of a proper cricket ball. This is because a tennis ball is much softer and lighter and offers a similar experience to the leather alternative. You may see the tennis ball is wrapped in electrical tape to make its flight faster, making for faster bowling and harder shots. Lastly, the wickets and the pitch that you'll be playing in are, in my opinion, not as essential as the first two parts of the equipment. Like street football, street cricket is usually played in any open space where the players can comfortably bowl, and the wickets are made using bricks or rocks lying nearby. However, if you can get a proper pitch with proper wickets, that should certainly make for a better experience.

Ice hockey seems like the absolute time of your life when you watch the players skate around on the rink and shoot the puck toward the net. I mean, who doesn't love skating around on the ice in general? Combine that with hockey, and you have a recipe for fun unlike any other you've experienced before! That all sounds good, but how exactly do you play? The rules can be confusing for any new sport you try, so we're here to help you figure out exactly that! Let's get into it:   What You’re Supposed to do If you're familiar with football, think of the same rules but with a puck on ice! The players on both teams will attempt to gain possession of the puck, pass it to each other, and eventually score it in the other team's net while preventing the opponents from doing the same. Each goal equals one point, with the highest point team winning the game. Unlike football, however, if the game ends in a tie, the teams go to overtime, where the 'golden goal' rule applies; the first team to score wins the game.   Where and How to Play As most people are familiar with, ice hockey is played on an ice rink. The measurements of this rink are approximately 66 yards in length and 32 yards in width, and it is split into three sections. The initial section of the rink (from the point of view of either team) is the defending section, the middle section is neutral for both teams (the game starts here), and the furthest section is the attacking section. Both attacking and defending sections have end zone faceoff circles and spots, along with a goal crease which is drawn as a semi-circle surrounding the goal post. Another difference from football is that ice hockey has a playable area behind the goalpost, known as the board area. In terms of equipment, you will need a hockey stick, ice skates, and protective gear, which includes padding, a helmet and face mask, arm guards, and gloves. This level of protection is enhanced even further for the goalkeeper as they are at higher risk of being hit directly by the metal puck. The teams in hockey have a maximum limit of 20 players, though only six can play on the rink at a time. Similar to substitutes in football, these players can be substituted in and out as deemed fit by the team and coach. Another restriction is on the goalkeeper (also known as goaltender), who may not cross the red line in the center of the rink, while the outfield players are free to move throughout the rink.   How to Score In ice hockey, you are free to use any part of your body to score except your hands, once again, similar to football. The entirety of the puck has to be over the line to score a point, which is usually detected using a sensor in professional games but can generally be observed as well.

Getting into sports is one of the best decisions you can make for your physical and mental well-being. However, starting is often simpler than deciding which specific sport you should get into, as there are so many of them to choose from! Well, there's no need to worry, as we have the answer right here in this article; let's get started!   Define Your Goals Before deciding on a sport, think about why you’re starting sports. There can be a plethora of reasons, but the two broad categories are starting for fun or starting to get physically fit (in a fun way, of course!). If you’re starting just for fun, you can choose more or less anything that appeals to you! However, if physical fitness is the primary goal, some options will be better for you than others. Luckily, it just so happens that they are all as fun as the other, so you're not missing out on anything! With that said, let's move on to the list of sports:   Table Tennis Compared to some other sports, table tennis is not as physically intense; however, it still packs a workout! This is an ideal sport if physical fitness is a secondary goal and you mostly just want to have fun. The sport relies mostly on your upper body and requires hand-eye coordination more than it requires strength. So, if you're looking for a fun time without putting too much effort in, ping pong is the way to go!   Football Football is a sport where you must constantly be moving around, whether walking or jogging or running, or else you'll be out of position! Moreover, when you have the ball or contest an opponent for it, you will need upper body strength to shield against them. Accordingly, football is ideal for when you want to prioritize physical fitness along with the fun! The constant running paired with jostling with opponents makes for a full-body workout and builds both upper and lower body strength.   Basketball Similar to football, you're going to be moving around a lot here, so a lower-body workout is provided here. Another benefit of this is cardio; your heart rate remains elevated throughout, leading to excess fat and calorie burning. Along with moving around, you'll need upper body strength here as well! Basketball is also a contact sport; you'll be shielding from opponents while also throwing the ball with your arms; more strength means faster passes and longer-distance throws.   Esports This is another pick for people who are looking for fun and not necessarily physical exercise but mental exercise! Competitive video games are one of the best ways to improve your hand-eye coordination, teamwork, coordination decision-making, and critical thinking skills, among other things. While esports is still an unorthodox concept for a lot of people today, we assure you that you will not be disappointed if you give it a shot! We hope this has been a helpful guide and until next time, take care and good luck with whichever sport you choose!