There's a certain chill in the air now that it's wintertime, and as much as we all want to snuggle in our blankets with warm mugs of coffee, the adventurous souls out there might be looking for something a bit different. If you're one of those people who're looking for new sports to master this winter season, you're in just the right place! Here are four winter sports that are bound to quench that thirst for seeking adventure in the snow.   Ski jumping You can't talk about winter sports without talking about skiing, but here's a variation you might not be as familiar with: ski jumping. It's as the name sounds; players slide down their skis from a curved ramp, and the one with the longest jump and the best style and form wins the competition. All you need to start ski jumping is your standard ski gear and a helmet. You don't need to take any official classes, although that can help speed up the learning process.   Snow polo We all know about polo, but have you ever tried to play the winter version of this sport? This game involves the same rules and requirements of regular polo, except it is played on frozen ground rather than grass. The players are divided into two teams of four, and they use mallets to score goals at the opposite ends of the field. Snow polo also involves additional conveniences for the players, such as a bigger and brighter ball and special grips for the horses to help them stay steady on the ice.   Dog sledding This sport is perfect for you if you're an animal and nature lover. Originating from Alaska, where big dogs help to pull sleds in the transportation of goods, dog sledding eventually transitioned into a famous sport played in icy regions. The basic premise of the sport requires the participants to create a team of powerful and fast sled dogs, and the one who can get across the finish line the fastest is considered the winner.   Snowmobiling While many people associate snowmobiling as a recreational activity, it's actually a competitive sport that is played in tournaments as well. If you're a beginner, you're bound to find it challenging, but with time and practice, you'll get the hang of the basics of riding a snowmobile in no time. Once you're well-acquainted with the features of the mobile, you can take it out for a ride. Start off slow but gradually pick up pace as you get used to the ride. You can also challenge yourself by trying out different terrains, although always check the weather and any hazardous avalanche predictions in that area beforehand. The four sports we've shared can seem a bit daunting and challenging to master at the start, but the effort will surely pay off once you've put in enough hours! Pick a sport you enjoy, set your goals for the winter, and above all, make sure you enjoy every moment of the process. We wish you the best of luck in your icy endeavors!

Introduction To Sparring In many combat sports, including taekwondo, sparring is commonly used. It is way for opponents to practice taekwondo moves on one another without getting into a real fight. Sparring in taekwondo is a great way for children as well as adults to utilize their skills as well as gain enough confidence to face everyday situations in the real world.   What Are Some Of the Strategies Involved In Taekwondo? Strategy in martial arts is a very essential factor and taekwondo is no exception to it. It usually involves a close analysis of the situation, judging the options that are available and executing an appropriate action. In taekwondo, the fighter has to be aware of the regulations and rules of the game. They also have to be updated on the current strategies that are used by international fighters. In every taekwondo game, strategy is the only thing that will help you to win.                                PREVIOUS PAGE  |  NEXT PAGE

In taekwondo schools, they use colored belts to indicate that a student has progressed from one rank to another. The junior ranks are known as gup while the senior rank is known as dan, or black belt. Belt systems vary between different schools. However, the most common system uses only six belt colors: white, yellow, green, blue, red and black.   What Does Each Belt Signify?   White Belt Every student must begin at this level. They usually begin at the 10th geup level. The color white is an indicator of innocence and this belt is given to the student the moment they enter the school. Before they advance to the next level, they must gain a yellow stripe in their belt.                                  Yellow Belt This is the first rank that a student is promoted to. It signifies the sun and the earth. The two elements are necessary for growth and therefore serve as an indicator that the student is still growing. Half way between the yellow belt and the next belt rank, the student is given a green stripe.   Green The green belt is used to show that the student is still growing and has great potential for growth. At this stage, the student is unrefined and is still developing strength and growing into the art. Before they advance to the next level, the student will be given a blue stripe.   Blue The color blue signifies the sky. The sky is the limit and students should aim to reach the other ranks. They are usually given a red stripe before they advance to the next rank.   Red This belt signifies the final stage of the junior belt ranks before the student advances to the black belt. The color red is associated with danger and it warns other students that the student is becoming a skilled fighter. When the student receives a black stripe on their belt it shows that they are half way up to reaching the black belt rank.   Black The black belt indicates that the student has reached maturity. They are given the rank of a first dan and are promoted from the junior ranks. From there, they can advance through the black belt ranks.   Other colors Some schools include other colors such as brown, purple, and orange in the junior rankings. These colors are not widely used and only remain in the schools or particular association. PREVIOUS PAGE |  NEXT PAGE

Boxing is a contact sport with rules order to ensure each fighter competes on an even playing field and to minimize the chance of unintentional deaths. The rules of boxing are designed to create a set of guidelines that govern the environment in which the fighters compete and set limitations on what they can do.                               What Are The Rules Of Boxing? 1. Clinching A clinch refers to the act of a fighter holding each other's arms or heads against their own body with the intent of restraining them. The rules of boxing prohibit the use of any striking techniques such as elbow strikes, shoulder thrusts, or headbutts while in a clinch. The clinch is a dangerous position because it allows both fighters to strike at will and is considered one of the most dangerous positions for a competitor in boxing.   2. Rounds A round is a segment of the fight that is completed when both fighters have had an opportunity to strike any legal area on their opponent's body once. The rules of boxing require each round to last for three minutes or a maximum of ten non-stop punches being delivered by the competitors. 3. Weigh-In The rules of boxing require all competitors to weigh in for their fight the day before the match. Each competitor weighs in front of a judge and witnesses to prevent any attempts at weight cheating during the fight. This is the most common way for boxers to gain advantages over their opponents because competitors usually lose a lot of weight during the fight. 4. No hitting below the belt The game of boxing has strict rules against hitting below the belt which means striking an opponent in the groin area or any other body part below the waist. This can be risky for the competitor and the referee may disqualify a fighter if they do not discontinue striking after being warned. 5. No headbutting The boxers are prohibited from delivering a headbutt or any of the techniques known as a "sleeper punch" during their matches. The rules of boxing consider these techniques to be an important part of the sport and their use of them can lead to a disqualification in the ring. 6. Knockdowns A knockdown occurs when a boxer is knocked down by their opponent and unable to immediately continue fighting. The referee will call a knockdown when they are deemed too injured to continue fighting. If the competitor who is struck can show enough of an attempt at self-defense the fight can continue. After a knockdown, the rules of boxing require that the fallen fighter be given eight seconds to recover before continuing with the match. 7. Fouls Fouls occur when a boxer uses an illegal punch or action during a match. Each foul has a designated penalty from the referee based on its severity. The most common foul that occurs often is called "holding" or "punching down". This refers to striking an opponent with the intent to hurt them and is considered illegal as it causes no contact. The penalty for holding an opponent is usually a warning from the referee while punching down has caused a disqualification that means the opponents will lose the fight. 8. Disqualifications Disqualification is considered the most severe penalty that can occur during a fight. This occurs when a boxer intentionally breaks one of the rules of boxing or cannot defend themselves while hitting an opponent. The rules of boxing maintain that the referee will disqualify a competitor if they feel they are unable to defend themselves against their opponent. This often occurs when they are knocked down so many times that they are unable to continue in the match and gain little to no offensive opportunities during the play-out. Boxing could be considered a dangerous sport, especially in the early 20th century when bare-knuckle fights were legal. The rules of boxing offer a level playing field for both competitors and are important to maintaining an environment where the fighters can compete safely.   Written by: Alice_daisy PREVIOUS PAGE |  NEXT PAGE