The Sports Archives – Walking With Caine: Black Belt Myths

Posted on February 9, 2012 by thesportsarchives

I wonder how many people who watched Kung Fu: The Legend Continues are aware of the fact that David Carradine, the actor who plays Caine, had little or no martial arts experience. It’s also worth noting that Bruce Lee was turned down for this role. It’s interesting because not only is Caine a myth, but Carradine is too. I bet there are a few people who assumed the late actor was some sort of martial arts expert. The people who believe this are probably among the horde that continue to take martial arts myths as fact. They see a black belt and are immediately in awe. In their eyes, this person is a martial arts legend. The trouble is, they have no idea what the black belt actually means.

Black Belt

Being a Black Belt - is there more to it?

Believe it or not, the black belt is worth the square root of nothing when it comes to martial arts mastery. We hear stories of people gaining a black belt in karate or some other martial arts form and automatically assume they are some sort of master. There have been reports of people earning this belt in 5 years or so. Aside from the fact that these belts may have come from a ‘belt factory’, do you really think someone can become a master in 5 years? If so, then you really know absolutely nothing about martial arts. With the amount of misinformation available relating to martial arts, this is no surprise.

Instead of being an end, a black belt really only signifies the beginning. All this really means is that you have ‘mastered’ the basics and can now move on to the more advanced and difficult to understand elements of your chosen martial art. This is confusing to the average person who believes they have already achieved mastery. It explains why such a large percentage of people stop trying to learn once they hit black belt status. One of the reasons for this is because they were ‘sold’ a martial arts black belt as something that can be achieved in a few years. In reality, mastery of martial arts takes a lifetime with true ‘masters’ only achieving this exalted status after 40+ years of training.

One of the more humorous black belt myths revolves around ‘deadly weapon’ status. Believe it or not, some people actually think that black belts have to register as deadly weapons. One of the origins of this myth came after the Second World War when traditional Japanese martial arts were made illegal for a few years. This only applied to Japan and did not last very long. Also, in and around the 1930s, boxing had publicity stunts whereby the police were around to register the pugilists as deadly weapons. This was of course complete nonsense and had no basis in fact.

While it is true that juries in court cases sometimes take into account a person’s martial arts ability, this is a far cry from ‘deadly weapon’ status. Laughably and lamentably, some unscrupulous ‘teachers’ manage to convince young, impressionable students that this is the case. As a result, they can extort money from them under the guise of providing them with a ‘registration card’ which is completely worthless. Police officers in various nations confirm that the idea of a black belt being a ‘deadly weapon’ is completely nonsense.

While a black belt is a noteworthy achievement, provided it came from a proper school, it is nothing more than a step on the martial arts path. You are still a long way from mastery and have plenty to learn. And for heaven’s sake, don’t go around pretending that you’re a deadly weapon!

AUTHOR: Justin Wheeler works for Black Eagle, suppliers of Martial Arts GIs and equipment. Between the team they have over 40 years of Martial Arts experience, which is why they’ve become the trusted shop for all combat sport supplies.

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The Sports Archives – The Awesome Sport of Muay Thai

Posted on February 7, 2012 by thesportsarchives

People all over the globe have been hearing about Muay Thai martial arts.  Millions watch fights at tournaments or on television, bearing witness to Muay Thai style action full of explosive punches, deadly and penetrating kicks, devastating elbows and shattering knees.  Television provides viewers with a remarkable coverage, but to truly appreciate the sport, nothing compares to being ringside amongst the legions of screaming fans.

Muay Thai Championship Boxing

Muay Thai Championship Boxing

Origins

The martial art of Muay Thai boxing stands alone with a wonderful history and tradition as a favourite sport of the Thai people.  This form of martial art has strong links to the history of its founding nation.  Thai people have a calm and gentle disposition but have had to rely on fighting skills to protect their nation and their families throughout history against thieves and enemies.

In this spirit of defending their homeland, the people of Thailand developed combat skills that were suited to close quarter attacks needed in the rugged landscape they battled in.  This led to the young males receiving instruction in the martial art as a rite of passage into adulthood.

Global Interest

People from all around the world have taken an interest in Muay Thai and it is now a truly international fighting style.  Russia and the United States have established training schools staffed by professional instructors to provide instruction for new students of the sport.

As a result of Muay Thai’s global appeal, tournaments and fights received international television coverage every week to satisfy the sport’s growing fan base.  International Boxing has become equally successful in gaining worldwide television ratings.  The majority of International Boxing champions have started their fighting careers in Muay Thai, adding to the style’s appeal to people entering the world of martial arts.

Tradition

There are traditionally five rounds in a Muay Thai contest, with each round lasting three minutes.  A two-minute rest is allowed between each round.  Fighters show respect to their trainers before each contest by performing a ceremonial dance.  This tradition serves as a warm up exercise for the fighter and has significant links to the Muay Thai ideals.

Whist training and competing, Muay Thai fighters will wear headbands and armbands as a good luck talisman.  The bands that they wear on their bodies have usually received a spiritual blessing from either the fighter’s teacher or a religious monk.  Practising Muay Thai is a source of great pride for these fighters and the blessed arm and headbands provide further inspiration to succeed in this proud tradition.

Conditioning

Training in Muay Thai encompasses both the physical and spiritual well-being of the sport’s participants.  Training also involves learning about the history of the art and the skills needed to fight.  Muay Thai bouts are extremely demanding on the fighter which means that a lot of training is involved.  Training provides no respite from the physical demands of the sport and can be vicious in some schools.  Training in Muay Thai is guaranteed to be rigorous and challenging.

Rewards

Muay Thai is a very demanding and taxing sport to be involved with as a competitor.  The reward for all the hard work is that you can develop the best skills in the martial art world.

Laura Ginn is a writer and editor for Extreme Sports X, an extreme sports magazine that is updated daily with the latest news, reviews and feature-length extreme sports articles.

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The Sports Archives – The Eternal Debate – Attend Sports Events Or Watch them On TV?

Posted on February 3, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Sports fans all over the world are truly spoiled for choice in any given year. The range of major events that occur is simply mind-boggling, and even the most ardent addicts have to miss out occasionally, because there’s simply too much to take in, especially for those individuals who are keen on a number of different activities.

Although most people would agree that attending a sporting fixture in person is better than watching the action on a LED TV, the television viewer has a number of other advantages over the real-life spectator. For the individual, a decision has to be made about which events are worth going to and which would be a preferable stay at home option.

Sports such as cricket, football and rugby are perhaps ideal for watching in person, because all of the action takes place in a specially built stadium with clear visibility for all spectators. As long as you’re watching the match at all times, the chances are you will see all the major talking points as and when they occur.

Not getting the whole picture      

However, other sports don’t offer the same experience at all. If you attend a Formula One Grand Prix, for example, you’ll be able to soak up all the unique high-octane atmosphere, of course, but wherever you sit or stand you won’t be able to see the whole track. Therefore you stand a good chance of missing a spectacular overtaking maneuver or a high-speed crash.

Spectators who attend golf tournaments will no doubt enjoy their day, but they will always miss much of the action. Some people choose to follow a specific player or group during their round, which is always a good idea, of course, but they will then miss every other player as they make their way round.

There is an alternative, which is to stay in one particular spot. With careful planning, they can select a specific location where they will be able to see one of the greens and one of the tee boxes, for example, but again this has its drawbacks because there will be so much going on in other parts of the course.

With live action, the atmosphere is always better, but with the quality of modern televisual equipment it’s easy to see why so many people choose to stay tuned to the TV when major sporting events come along. It’s often a balancing act for the individual to decide which activities work best on the television and which would be better seen live.

David Rice is based in the south-east of England and is a huge sports fan. He likes to watch golf on his LED TV, to record Formula One races on his digital set top box and to attend football matches in person.

 

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The Sports Archives – Rowing on the River Thames

Posted on January 30, 2012 by thesportsarchives

The river Thames and rowing have had a long and historical relationship. Indeed, the sport of rowing as we know it was developed over the past two centuries on river Thames itself. Whether you wish to row for pleasure, or are interested in the sport of rowing, you can join a club along the river Thames. You can also row on your own if you have your own boat.

Rowing and the River Thames

As the largest river of the British Islands, and one that does not drop more than 71 meters from Cricklade to the sea, the Thames is ideally suited for rowing. The section of the river that sees tides is called the tideway, and is just about 160 km long. The rest of the river upstream, up till the town of Cricklade, is divided by locks into component lock reaches. As far as rowers are concerned, a single lock reach in effect acts as a lake, where they can row as individuals or as members of clubs.

Popular Rowing Events on the River Thames

A number of boat races and rowing regattas are organized on the river Thames, particularly in the summer. Boat races are the highlight of the sporting life for many colleges on the Thames. The boat race between the Cambridge University Boat Club and the Oxford University Boat Club, which is so popular that it is known simply as The Boat Race, is just one of the many rowing events organized on the river Thames in the spring and the summer. The Henley Royal Regatta is another major boating event that is organized in the first weekend of July every year, and lasts for 5 days.

Membership of Rowing Clubs

There are countless rowing clubs active along the river Thames. Most of them are open to all and their fees usually vary from £35 to £200 per year per member. Once you become a member on payment of the fee, the club will issue you a boat whenever you require, and as allowed by rules, as well as other equipment such as oars etc. You can also buy your own boat if you are so inclined. A single-seater boat can be bought for as low as £1,500. If you have your own boat, you can take it anywhere on the river after registering it with the Environment Agency, which is the agency responsible for the management of the waterways of the country.

Once you get started, as part of a club or with your own registered boat, you can row in any part of the river. As a rower, you should always remember to take adequate safety precautions, especially with respect to other rowers and the locks found on the river at regular intervals. Rowing on the river Thames is not only a great way of exercising your body, but also a very appropriate way of enjoying the sights along this historically and culturally significant river.

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Rowing on River Thames

2010 University Boat Race on River Thames. Oxford boat is on right and Cambridge is on left.

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The Sports Archives – Super Bowl XLVI: History and Fun Facts

Posted on January 26, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Cheap Sally Super Bowl XLVI 2012 Infographic with NFL Shop promo codes

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The Sports Archives – Five Latest Sports Apps for iPhone

Posted on January 24, 2012 by thesportsarchives

1. NBA FanCam 2012. Take Photos with NBA Players, Jerseys and Gear

How long have you cherished a dream of wearing a jersey of your favorite team and having a picture? Well, this new cool cam application will allow you to do just that and much more. This cam offers an exciting way of taking pictures with all the ninety basketball members of their fav teams long with taking pictures with their fav football teams. Selecting teams is easy as all the thirty NBA teams are listed and one just has to choose the player they want to replace by themselves. The pictures can even be customized with all real accessories like the ball and the basket etc. You can even add headbands and caps if you like.

2. Sporting News Pro Football By The Zumobi Network

A free application designed to deliver as much game information as possible; this application is your Sunday afternoon partner and will give you pure bliss with its use. You can access the latest in the gaming world news with just one tap on your touch screen and you get more with the exclusive commentary that is made available during every live game. The top story made by every game comes to you in a flash and you can set the application in a manner which will prioritize news and videos of your favorite teams from time to time.

3. Freedom BMX By Factory Media

An application magazine which gives news of German as well as international BMX action, it is a must have on your iPhone if you are a BMX person. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, this application will always have great uses for you. However, anyone who wishes to read this magazine should have an account with Pixel Mags and needs to purchase the application. With the purchase, the latest edition comes free and later edition updates will be made available to the user as and when they come out. It’s a fun way of sharing your interest in BMX along with getting great updates and full information on your favorite bikes and riders.

4. Aqua Baller Free By Playtoniq

The water shooter game that was so loved during childhood is now available for your iPhone and iPad. Touch and squirt water at your opponent and get scores. You now have all the fun of the water games all at a touch of your finger. You can play against yourself by a timed mode where you get to beat your own best times or you can submit your best times online so that others can view and compare who has the better score. The features of this application include tilt sensing mechanisms, excellent effects of sound, real feel of being underwater, artificial water bubbles, many gameplay modes including drill for a minute etc.

5. Blitz Football Pro FREE By Coresoft Inc.

This free application has been designed for people who want to experience what the game of football is like. It is easy to learn and easy to play. All you have to do is touch the screen or tap and your pas swill be made. The manner in which you touch determines the speed and height of your pass and you can even score high with the right touch. This application even contains training modes where you can start off with simple passes like single receiver pathways and reach to the mad frenzy of football complete with defense and receivers.

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The Sports Archives – Fascinated by Tebow on More Than Sundays

Posted on January 21, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Like him or hate him, Tim Tebow is a polarizing figure. Even after a season of tantalizing fourth quarter comebacks, more people are fascinated by Tebow’s actions off the field than on it. He is a media darling and jerseys that bear his name are the runaway NFL bestseller. What is it that makes Tebow so fascinating on more than just Sundays?

Ability – The Big Question Mark

Ever since Tim Tebow entered the NFL after dominating the college game at the position of quarterback, experts have analyzed his abilities. More often than not, the talking heads on sports channels proclaimed there was no way that Tebow could make it as an NFL quarterback. Many even suggested he consider changing positions. This is rooted in the type of offense he ran at Florida during his collegiate career. While Tim made plenty of great throws, especially in the 2008 SEC Championship game against Alabama, he was more known for his rushing ability. Experts doubted his ability to make decisions from under center instead of the shotgun spread that he was so comfortable in at Florida. They also criticized his throwing motion, claiming that he had too long of a release to work in the fast-paced pro game. The controversy about his ability is just one of the reasons people are so fascinated with him. Some want to see him fail, but most are lured in by the underdog story of a guy that everyone says will never make it.

Faith

Tim Tebow is famously Christian. Now, he doesn’t really beat the drum, but the media won’t leave him alone about it. When his buttons are pushed, Tim is more than happy to own up to his beliefs in the public arena. His now famous pose of kneeling to pray during critical moments of football games has launched an international craze called “Tebowing.” Some people respect him for his powerful convictions while others hate him for it. In either case, everyone loves to talk about it.

Unflappable – The Ultimate Good Sport

Even in the face of all that criticism, Tim Tebow refuses to say anything negative about the media, his coaches, or the public. Instead, he always insists that he will work harder to get better, no matter what the price. His steadfast attitude is just another element of the Tebow charm that causes people to be fascinated by him. They want to see how much he can take and if he will ever break. So far, there is no sign that he will, but you can rest assured the media will continue to push his buttons, hoping for an outburst.

The Conspiracy – Tebow, the Starter

During Denver’s interesting season, fans frequently called for Tim Tebow to get an opportunity to lead the Broncos. The team’s management seemed to resist this at first, but eventually they succumbed to the pressure and gave the kid a chance. That’s where the conspiracy comes in. A lot of people believe that the Denver Broncos only put Tebow as the starter to try to pacify the crowd. John Elway and company thought that Tebow would fall flat on his face and then everyone would see why it wasn’t a good idea. If the conspiracy theory was true, it backfired miserably. While Tebow had far from a breakout year as a professional quarterback, he delivered in one area. Tebow wins. He took a team headed for a dismal losing season and transformed them into a divisional winner, a playoff contender, and a long shot for a Super Bowl champion. The public is fascinated by this story because Tebow continues to deliver, even in the face of all this angst that is arrayed against them.

Whatever the reason, the public and media show no signs of ending their love affair with Tim Tebow. With an unbelievable overtime win in the first round of the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tim’s legacy is only growing by the minute. If he has enough magic to get by New England in the next round, the fascination with Tim will only intensify. One thing is for sure, though. Tim Tebow will be the same. He will field the usual questions with the same, perfectly crafted answers. Consistency may be the trait that impresses Tebow fans the most.

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The Sports Archives – Five Popular Sports Apps for iPhone

Posted on January 19, 2012 by thesportsarchives

1. NHL GameCenter 2011-2012 By National Hockey League

This is the only application which offers video highlights and live games on your iPhones. One can download this application in their iPhone and enjoy several features like – game schedules, news, standings, player profiles, game photos, game alerts, scores, team selections etc. By upgrading to the premium version one can get the benefits of live game radio, game video highlights, condensed videos and many more. One can even upgrade to the live version which has the features of live game video. The latest version of the app has enhanced features like – improved vertical scrolling, improved authentication, enhanced video player, fixed app crash and many more.

2. PGA TOUR By PGATOUR.com

The PGA TOUR app allows the user to access the events and best players. The app is officially produced by PGA TOUR.com and Turner sports. The basic features of the app are – highlights, live scoring, live video coverage from selected events etc. The app also includes live real-time scoring, shot and yardage details, live play-by-play updates and many more. The videos of the app have features like – shot of the day, PGA TOUR etc. Using this app one can have a great gaming experience on the iPhone. One can browse the full session schedule for all the tours and view the scorecards in 9 formats. The users can keep up with PGA TOUR news using this app.

3. SI Swimsuit 2011 By Time Inc.

The SI Swimsuit app allows the users to view pictures and videos of world’s most beautiful models like – Brooklyn Decker, Irina Shayk, Anne V and many others. The user can download the pictures free of cost. One can even upgrade to premium version with a onetime payment which is very nominal. The premium version allows the user to enjoy benefits like – viewing and downloading hundreds of photos from all over the world, watch and download latest videos every month, monthly updates of photos and videos, following favorite models, sharing pictures and videos on networking sites like – facebook and twitter, etc. The videos can be viewed offline by downloading and the users can even get the footage of never-before-seen clips.

4. Team Stream By Bleacher Report

Sport lovers can stay in know with their favorite teams and stories related to sports from around the web. The users having this app in their iPhone can view the top news about their favorite teams in one place. The additional benefits which the user can enjoy are – seeing all the favorite teams’ news at a glance, get news alerts and pick topics in a snap, get stories from the best sports sources across the web and many more. Many users are enjoying this app and find it the best sports app available. The users can fix quickly on their favorite teams with one app, instead of going into multiple sites.

5. PocketDyno By InMotion Software, LLC

The app is used to measure the vehicle performance, which provide 20 different metrics like – time report, distance, acceleration, speed, power and many more. The users are allowed to create the vehicle profile and store. Using this vehicle profile the users can compare and evaluate their vehicle modifications. The app gives accurate and real-world results. The users are very happy with the app in their iPhones. The app is free of cost and many users find it a perfect app which is accurate and easy to use. To get accurate results the users must calibrate before a test run. The iPhone should be secured in the car so that it cannot move and start a test run.

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The Sports Archives – England Prepare For A Big Year

Posted on January 18, 2012 by thesportsarchives

The international year begins with a friendly against Holland at Wembley in February and ends in Stockholm, but it is the games in between that count for England.

Underperforming England

England have a habit of underperforming at major tournaments and go into the first two games of Euro 2012 without star man Wayne Rooney. Things could have been worse for the Three Lions, though, as Rooney was only spared a three match ban after he and an FA delegation travelled to Switzerland for a heartfelt appeal. Had that not been a success, his place in the travel ling squad would have been under serious doubt.

Manager Fabio Capello, who leaves his post after the tournament, will experiment with different systems and personnel in the friendlies leading up to the championships in Poland and Ukraine as he tries to find a way of coping without the Manchester United striker for the first two games of the tournament – against France and Sweden.

A Dutch test lies in wait

England were resolute in victories over Spain and Sweden at Wembley at the end of 2011, showing a steeliness that will bode well for the tough tests that lie ahead. They will be looking to pick up where they left off when they face a stern test against the Dutch on February 29, a fixture re-arranged after the London riots last August.

The game against Holland is one of three scheduled internationals before Euro 2012, with England travelling to Norway and hosting Belgium just before the tournament. The football scores from those games may give us an indication of where England lie among Europe’s elite.

Can Fabio bow out on a high?

The tournament is a big test for Capello’s relatively young squad and will define his legacy as England manager. The Italian came in for a lot of criticism after World Cup 2010 and will be determined to bow out on a high this summer. Group games against France, Sweden and Ukraine represent a realistic opportunity of progression to the knockout phase.

There isn’t much time for England to dwell on their performance in Euro 2012. The new boss will barely have his feet under the table by the time they take on Moldova in a World Cup qualifier at the start of September. England face three more qualifiers before the end of 2012.

The year begins with hope of achievement and could end with certain players’ international careers in tatters. It is a big year for England.

Written by Adam Harper, a football blogger, Chelsea obsessive and lover of watching Live Football Online.

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The Sports Archives – Find the Ideal Tennis Racquet for You with the Help of Tennis Racquet Reviews

Posted on January 16, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Tennis racquets aren’t what they used to be, the original racquets were usually made of laminated wood and catgut strings. Tennis RacquetsToday, there are so many more options of tennis racquets because of new technology and the constant competition between brands. With all these possibilities to choose from, choosing a tennis racquet can be overwhelming. A good start to picking the right racquet would be reading or watching a tennis racquet review.

Tennis racquet reviews go from how to pick a racquet to reviews of all the different ones on the market. Tennis racquet reviews give advice on evaluating tennis racquets based on many different qualifications including tennis racquet rating and how to find the best tennis racquet that meets you’re playing style. You then need to start narrowing down the options and compare top-selling tennis racquets. Lastly, you need to make the choice.

The various racquets available today all have very different characteristics from weight, length, balance, width, the materials they are made with, head shape and size, all offering different degrees of strength, control, comfort, feel, stability and precision.

#1: Know How You Play
Before starting your research, know how you play. What level are you? What kind of stroke do you have? Moderate, long?  Consider what is most important to you in a tennis racquet. Is it sweet spot size, control, feel?

#2:  Rate and Rank
After you have your playing style down, it`s time to start looking. Take a look at some tennis racquet reviews, ask around and shop!

Of course a simple, universal ranking system would be nice but the truth of the matter is that is very hard to come by since every player has unique qualities that would be best suited for different types of tennis racquets. There are innovative tools on the web that quickly and easily help you select a tennis racquet based on your personal needs.

The Racquet Pro Racquet Selector is one such tool and is designed to help players find the perfect racquet that meets their standards and playing style based on brand, price range, player level, swing type, control level, power level, head size, weight, balance, length, stiffness and swing weight.

#3: Compare
After you have narrowed down the options, compare the racquets that you have chosen using tennis racquet reviews. There are a ton of trusted racquet reviews on the web from people with loads of experience. You can even visit the manufacturer’s website for exact specifications on the racquets that you have picked.

#4: Choose Your Racquet
After reading tennis racquet reviews and considering the options it is time to make an executive decision and choose the racquet for you based on your needs as a player. Trust yourself, you have done the research and only you know the right racquet for you.

There is a lot more than meets the eye when picking a racquet; it is not as simple as you might think but it is a lot easier with the Racquet Pro and tennis racquet reviews. Finding the ideal tennis racquet for you is well worth the time spent in doing a little research. Discovering the perfect racquet can enhance your game and make the time spent on the court even more enjoyable.

With companies releasing new racquets with new technologies every year, tennis racquet reviews are a vital step in making an informed decision. I, Courtney Thomson, have never purchased a racquet without reading up.

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