Sitting Volleyball emerged in the Netherlands in the 1950s, a combination of Volleyball and a German game called Sitzbal. It really began to increase in popularity during the 1960s, and has since grown into one of the most fast-paced and exciting Paralympic sports. Now played by athletes in more than 50 countries around the world, the sport should draw big crowds at London 2012.
The basics
Sitting Volleyball is played by two teams of six on a 10m x 6m indoor court divided by a net (1.15m high for men, 1.05m for women). The object of the game is to land the ball in the opposition’s half of the court, with each team allowed three touches of the ball (in addition to a legal block) before it must cross over the net. Matches are the best of five sets, with the first four sets played as the first to 25 points; if a fifth set is necessary, it is won by the first team to reach 15 points. In all sets, a margin of at least two points is required for victory.
At London 2012, both the men’s and women’s events will begin with a round-robin group stage: the 10 men’s teams will be divided into two groups of five teams, with the eight women’s teams divided into groups of four. In the men’s competition, the top four teams in each group will qualify for the quarter-finals, from which point the competition will be conducted to a knockout format. For the women’s event, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with the winning semi-finalists then facing off for the gold.
Sitting Volleyball at the Paralympics, past and present
Sitting Volleyball made its debut as a Paralympic medal sport at the Arnhem 1980 Games. A women’s event was added to the Paralympic programme in 2004.
At London 2012, the Sitting Volleyball competition will be held at ExCeL, a multi-purpose events venue that will also host a number of other Paralympic and Olympic sports.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Big 5 Sports - Goalball
Played competitively in more than 100 countries, Goalball is one of the most popular Paralympic sports.
Since it was developed as a rehabilitation activity for injured soldiers returning from World War II, Goalball has spread around the world. Played by visually impaired athletes using a ball with bells inside, it is among the most exciting team sports on the Paralympic programme.
The basics
Goalball is played by two teams of three visually impaired athletes on an indoor court, with goals (9m wide x 1.3m high) at either end. The aim is to score by rolling the ball into the opposition’s goal, while the opposition attempts to block the ball with their bodies. All athletes are visually impaired, and wear eyeshades to allow athletes with varying degrees of vision to compete together. The Goalball arena is silent during play so that players can hear the ball, but spectators are free to cheer when a goal is scored.
Both the men’s and women’s tournaments begin with a round-robin group stage. The 12 men’s teams are divided into two groups of six teams, while the 10 women’s teams are divided into groups of five. The top four teams in each group qualify for the quarter-finals, from which point the tournaments are played in a knockout format.
Goalball, past and present
Introduced to the Games as a demonstration event at the Toronto 1976 Games, Goalball was added to the Paralympic programme as a full medal sport four years later in Arnhem. The women’s tournament first featured at the New York and Stoke Mandeville 1984 Games.
For London 2012, the Goalball competition will take place at the brand new Handball Arena in the Olympic Park, purpose-built for the Games
Since it was developed as a rehabilitation activity for injured soldiers returning from World War II, Goalball has spread around the world. Played by visually impaired athletes using a ball with bells inside, it is among the most exciting team sports on the Paralympic programme.
The basics
Goalball is played by two teams of three visually impaired athletes on an indoor court, with goals (9m wide x 1.3m high) at either end. The aim is to score by rolling the ball into the opposition’s goal, while the opposition attempts to block the ball with their bodies. All athletes are visually impaired, and wear eyeshades to allow athletes with varying degrees of vision to compete together. The Goalball arena is silent during play so that players can hear the ball, but spectators are free to cheer when a goal is scored.
Both the men’s and women’s tournaments begin with a round-robin group stage. The 12 men’s teams are divided into two groups of six teams, while the 10 women’s teams are divided into groups of five. The top four teams in each group qualify for the quarter-finals, from which point the tournaments are played in a knockout format.
Goalball, past and present
Introduced to the Games as a demonstration event at the Toronto 1976 Games, Goalball was added to the Paralympic programme as a full medal sport four years later in Arnhem. The women’s tournament first featured at the New York and Stoke Mandeville 1984 Games.
For London 2012, the Goalball competition will take place at the brand new Handball Arena in the Olympic Park, purpose-built for the Games
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Big 5 Sports - Triathlon
The precise origins of Triathlon are unknown: some say that the sport began in France between the wars, others that it really developed in the United States during the late 1970s. Whatever the true history, Triathlon is now one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
The basics
Triathlon races combine swimming, cycling and running, in that order. Events are conducted over a variety of distances: for the Olympic Games, the men’s and women’s Triathlons will consist of a 1,500m swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run. There are no heats: both the men’s and women’s events consist of a single race.
The basics
Triathlon races combine swimming, cycling and running, in that order. Events are conducted over a variety of distances: for the Olympic Games, the men’s and women’s Triathlons will consist of a 1,500m swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run. There are no heats: both the men’s and women’s events consist of a single race.
Big 5 Sports - Diving
Competitive diving developed from gymnastics in the 18th century, when gymnasts in Sweden and Germany began to perform tumbling routines into water. Along with Swimming, Synchronised Swimming and Water Polo, the elegant yet dramatic sport of Diving is one of four disciplines that make up the Olympic sport of Aquatics.
The basics
The eight Olympic diving events – four for men, four for women – feature either a springboard, 3m above the pool, or a fixed platform, set at a height of 10m. Springboards must be at least 4.8m long and 50cm wide, while platforms should be at least 6m long and 3m wide.
Judges award a score out of 10 for each dive, which is adjusted to take into account the dive’s degree of difficulty. In the Synchronised Diving events, pairs of athletes dive in tandem and are also assessed for their level of synchronisation.
Olympic Diving, past and present
Diving made its Olympic debut in 1904, where medals were awarded for men in the 10m Platform and the Plunge for Distance (a Diving long jump event, which never again appeared on the Olympic programme). Synchronised Diving made its first Olympic appearance at Sydney in 2000.
The basics
The eight Olympic diving events – four for men, four for women – feature either a springboard, 3m above the pool, or a fixed platform, set at a height of 10m. Springboards must be at least 4.8m long and 50cm wide, while platforms should be at least 6m long and 3m wide.
Judges award a score out of 10 for each dive, which is adjusted to take into account the dive’s degree of difficulty. In the Synchronised Diving events, pairs of athletes dive in tandem and are also assessed for their level of synchronisation.
Olympic Diving, past and present
Diving made its Olympic debut in 1904, where medals were awarded for men in the 10m Platform and the Plunge for Distance (a Diving long jump event, which never again appeared on the Olympic programme). Synchronised Diving made its first Olympic appearance at Sydney in 2000.
Big 5 Sports - Archery
Archery dates back around 10,000 years, when bows and arrows were first used for hunting and warfare, before it developed as a competitive activity in medieval England. A tense and testing sport that requires immense reserves of skill and nerve, Archery is now practised in more than 140 countries around the world.
The basics
The object of the sport is simple: to shoot arrows as close to the centre of a target as possible. Olympic Archery targets are 122 centimetres in diameter, with the gold ring at the centre (worth a maximum 10 points) measuring just 12.2cm. Archers shoot at the target from a distance of 70 metres.
At the Olympic Games, the two individual Archery competitions (one for men, one for women) will be played in a knockout format. Matches will be played over the best of five sets, with each set consisting of three arrows per archer.
The winners of each match will qualify for the next round, until the last two archers go head to head in the gold medal match. A knockout format will also be used for the men’s and women’s team competitions, which features teams of three archers competing against each other in a best-of-24-arrows format.
Olympic Archery, past and present
Archery made its Olympic debut at Paris 1900, was dropped from the programme after the 1908 Games, and then returned for a single appearance in 1920. After a 52-year gap, the sport was reintroduced at Munich 1972 and has remained on the Olympic programme ever since.
The basics
The object of the sport is simple: to shoot arrows as close to the centre of a target as possible. Olympic Archery targets are 122 centimetres in diameter, with the gold ring at the centre (worth a maximum 10 points) measuring just 12.2cm. Archers shoot at the target from a distance of 70 metres.
At the Olympic Games, the two individual Archery competitions (one for men, one for women) will be played in a knockout format. Matches will be played over the best of five sets, with each set consisting of three arrows per archer.
The winners of each match will qualify for the next round, until the last two archers go head to head in the gold medal match. A knockout format will also be used for the men’s and women’s team competitions, which features teams of three archers competing against each other in a best-of-24-arrows format.
Olympic Archery, past and present
Archery made its Olympic debut at Paris 1900, was dropped from the programme after the 1908 Games, and then returned for a single appearance in 1920. After a 52-year gap, the sport was reintroduced at Munich 1972 and has remained on the Olympic programme ever since.
Big 5 Sports - Hunting Sports
The history of hunting is as old as mankind. In the past hunting was essential to our survival, because it provided us with valuable food. Even when farming and cultivation was widely used, man continued to hunt for meat. As time passed hunting was not practiced only for food, but animals were hunted also because of their skin and for trophies. Thus the hunting sports were born. Nowadays there are different types of hunting sports.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Big 5 Sports - Baseball
Baseball is a very popular sport which involves two teams made up of, more or less, nine players. A baseball game is done in what we call a baseball field, a very large and open space where there is a ninety-foot square (or diamond) usually located at the bottom middle of the field. Baseball is oftentimes called a bat-and-ball game wherein a pitcher throws the baseball as fast and as hard as he (or she) could. This action, in baseball terms, is called “pitching”. On the other side of the “diamond”, we have the batter who will attempt to hit the hard fist-sized baseball using a narrow cylindrical wooden bat. However, if one is not playing professional baseball, only perhaps backyard baseball or such, any long and hard object that will pass as a bat will just do, along with an open space as a field.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Big 5 Sports - Badminton Shoes
Li-Ning China Gold National Team Shoes
You may not be able to jump up 6 ft into the air like Lin Dan or the rest of the Chinese National Team...but these shoes are certainly light enough and supportive enough to help if you wish to try !
Just watch these shoes flying about the place at the All-Englands 2010.
Anti-slip insoles
Breathable upper and sole units.
Technologies: Carbon Fibre plate, ProBarLoc, CushioN, BouncSe
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Big 5 Sports - Boxing
Boxing is a sport in which two people fight each other, using their fists, and is thought to have started thousands of years ago.
In 1867 the rules boxers now fight under were formed, and have ever since been known as the Marquess of Queensberry rules.
Now fighters wear gloves, to protect both their hands and the person they are trying to hit, and fight people who weigh a similar amount to themselves.
Each fight - or bout - lasts a series of rounds.
In professional boxing rounds last three minutes. In amateur boxing rounds normally last two minutes.
During a fight, boxers score points depending on how well they make contact with their opponent. The boxer with the most points at the end of a fight wins.
A boxer can end a fight early if they either knock their opponent unconscious or the referee thinks it is too dangerous for one fighter to continue.
There are eight different weight classes, with the lightest flyweight and the heaviest called heavyweight.
In 1867 the rules boxers now fight under were formed, and have ever since been known as the Marquess of Queensberry rules.
Now fighters wear gloves, to protect both their hands and the person they are trying to hit, and fight people who weigh a similar amount to themselves.
Each fight - or bout - lasts a series of rounds.
In professional boxing rounds last three minutes. In amateur boxing rounds normally last two minutes.
During a fight, boxers score points depending on how well they make contact with their opponent. The boxer with the most points at the end of a fight wins.
A boxer can end a fight early if they either knock their opponent unconscious or the referee thinks it is too dangerous for one fighter to continue.
There are eight different weight classes, with the lightest flyweight and the heaviest called heavyweight.
Boxing News - The best Fighter In The World
Manny Pacquiao, the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, is a man who fires punches at angles that many in the sport have never seen. But he is more than a master pugilist--he is a charismatic Congressman in his native Philippines with designs on the presidency. Pacquiao, who grew up in the streets, likes to say that he fights to give people some relief from their suffering. He wore yellow gloves during his bout on Saturday night to symbolize his unity with his country's poor. "He's not a fighter, he's an entertainer," says Freddie Roach, his trainer. But he was frustrated because he hadn't been able to entertain the crowd who were booing the lack of action in his bout with the American Sugar Shane Mosley. Pacquiao won in a unanimous decision and retained the welterweight championship and the mythical pound-for-pound crown, but he had a difficult time getting over the boobirds. "It's not my fault," said Pacquiao, a typically joyful man, as way of explanation. "Of course I am happy that I won the fight but my first concern is the satisfaction of the crowd. I want to give a good performance. I think he felt my power. But what am I going to do if my opponent doesn't want to fight toe-to-toe?"
Mosley, one of America's greatest fighters, had the unfortunate task of facing Pacquiao. They squared off in front of 16,412 at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mosley is 39. He has been a professional fighter for eighteen years and he is a future Hall of Famer, but he seemed to forget how to throw punches. Was he past his prime? Yes. But he has always been considered "a warrior," boxing parlance for someone who will risk bodily harm to win and Pacquiao trained harder than for any previous fight with the expectation that Mosley would attack him with everything in his aresenal. The arsenal was empty. His jab was so timid that it looked like a father caressing his child's cheek. He landed 82 paltry punches to Pacquiao's 182. He blamed his performance to Pacquiao's speed and power, which he couldn't handle. Strangely, he also blamed a foot blister, which didn't seem to hamper his frantic backpedaling from the Filipino.
There was a single moment of excitement In Round 3 when Pacquiao hit Mosley with a sobering left and Sugar crashed to the canvas. The crowd buzzed with jittery excitement, as they always do when it experiences a knockdown. Mosley looked like a kid in a supermarket who couldn't find his mother. But before the Pacman, as his fans call him, could finish him, Pacquiao's left calf muscle became so cramped that between rounds he implored his cornermen to massage it. Leg cramps have been an issue throughout his training runs in the Hollywood Hills and it was feared that it might flare up again. It did and Pacquiao couldn't pivot and pursue Mayweather as relentlessly as he wanted to. It was an opening for Mosley but his heart wasn't committed to capitalizing on it.
Mosley, one of America's greatest fighters, had the unfortunate task of facing Pacquiao. They squared off in front of 16,412 at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mosley is 39. He has been a professional fighter for eighteen years and he is a future Hall of Famer, but he seemed to forget how to throw punches. Was he past his prime? Yes. But he has always been considered "a warrior," boxing parlance for someone who will risk bodily harm to win and Pacquiao trained harder than for any previous fight with the expectation that Mosley would attack him with everything in his aresenal. The arsenal was empty. His jab was so timid that it looked like a father caressing his child's cheek. He landed 82 paltry punches to Pacquiao's 182. He blamed his performance to Pacquiao's speed and power, which he couldn't handle. Strangely, he also blamed a foot blister, which didn't seem to hamper his frantic backpedaling from the Filipino.
There was a single moment of excitement In Round 3 when Pacquiao hit Mosley with a sobering left and Sugar crashed to the canvas. The crowd buzzed with jittery excitement, as they always do when it experiences a knockdown. Mosley looked like a kid in a supermarket who couldn't find his mother. But before the Pacman, as his fans call him, could finish him, Pacquiao's left calf muscle became so cramped that between rounds he implored his cornermen to massage it. Leg cramps have been an issue throughout his training runs in the Hollywood Hills and it was feared that it might flare up again. It did and Pacquiao couldn't pivot and pursue Mayweather as relentlessly as he wanted to. It was an opening for Mosley but his heart wasn't committed to capitalizing on it.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Stiga STS 510 Ping Pong Table
The Stiga STS 510 is an outstanding buy for a Top-Quality Tournament Table!
This outstanding Competition Table is made for the pros but priced for reg"ular folks. Features a 1" blue top, a 2" steel support apron, 5" silver mag ball-bearing wheels, an extra heavy-duty Euro-Design chassis, and stylized corner pads. Folds for playback and storage positions. Built to satisfy top tournament-level players as well as institutions demanding excellent durability. Measures 74" x 60" x 28" in folded position.
1" blue competition grade top.
2" steel support apron.
2" square steel self-opening legs.
5" silver mag ball-bearing wheels.
Extra heavy duty Euro-design chassis.
Includes tournament grade net and posts.
Stylized corner pads.
Playback position.
Size when folded for storage: 28" W x 60" D x 74" H.
Weight: 311
This outstanding Competition Table is made for the pros but priced for reg"ular folks. Features a 1" blue top, a 2" steel support apron, 5" silver mag ball-bearing wheels, an extra heavy-duty Euro-Design chassis, and stylized corner pads. Folds for playback and storage positions. Built to satisfy top tournament-level players as well as institutions demanding excellent durability. Measures 74" x 60" x 28" in folded position.
1" blue competition grade top.
2" steel support apron.
2" square steel self-opening legs.
5" silver mag ball-bearing wheels.
Extra heavy duty Euro-design chassis.
Includes tournament grade net and posts.
Stylized corner pads.
Playback position.
Size when folded for storage: 28" W x 60" D x 74" H.
Weight: 311
Big 5 Sports Cycling - BMX
BMX bikes have only one gear and one brake. Most racing riders use wheels that are 20 inches in diameter, roughly two-thirds the size of wheels used on a standard road bike. Bikes need to be strong enough to endure the wear and tear from the jarring landings after jumps, yet light enough to remain fast and competitive.
The men's and women's events at London 2012 will both start with a seeding phase: each rider runs the track once to determine the seedings, which ensures that the fastest riders don’t meet before the final. The men’s event continues with the quarter-finals, which are held over five races with groups of eight riders.
Points are awarded according to places, and the top two riders from the first three races in each quarter-final qualify for the semi-finals. The groups (now six riders in each) race twice more, and the top two riders from each group of six transfer to the semi-finals. From here, the semi-finals in both the men’s and women’s events follow a three-run format: the top four riders from each semi-final advance to the final run, when the medals are decided.
Olympic BMX Cycling, past and present
Having made its debut at the Beijing 2008 Games, BMX Cycling is the most recent discipline to have been added to the Olympic programme. The first Olympic BMX gold medals were claimed by Latvia’s Maris Strombergs and France’s Anne-Caroline Chausson.
The BMX competition at London 2012 will be held at a specially constructed track next to the Velodrome in the Olympic Park, which will have capacity for 6,000 spectators.
The men's and women's events at London 2012 will both start with a seeding phase: each rider runs the track once to determine the seedings, which ensures that the fastest riders don’t meet before the final. The men’s event continues with the quarter-finals, which are held over five races with groups of eight riders.
Points are awarded according to places, and the top two riders from the first three races in each quarter-final qualify for the semi-finals. The groups (now six riders in each) race twice more, and the top two riders from each group of six transfer to the semi-finals. From here, the semi-finals in both the men’s and women’s events follow a three-run format: the top four riders from each semi-final advance to the final run, when the medals are decided.
Olympic BMX Cycling, past and present
Having made its debut at the Beijing 2008 Games, BMX Cycling is the most recent discipline to have been added to the Olympic programme. The first Olympic BMX gold medals were claimed by Latvia’s Maris Strombergs and France’s Anne-Caroline Chausson.
The BMX competition at London 2012 will be held at a specially constructed track next to the Velodrome in the Olympic Park, which will have capacity for 6,000 spectators.
Big 5 Sports Wrestling
Wrestling recognised as one of the world’s oldest sports, Wrestling was first held at the ancient Olympics in 708 BC, and was included at the Athens 1896 Games, the first of the modern era. Played out on a circular mat, the sport is a battle of nerves, strength and skill, and should provide plenty of drama at ExCeL during London 2012.
The basics
Wrestling is a body-to-body combat sport, with key variations between the styles.
Greco-Roman Wrestling featured at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. The organisers hoped it would give a flavour of the Ancient Greek Olympic Games, where the sport had been very popular. In Greco-Roman Wrestling, athletes are only allowed to use their arms and upper bodies to attack their opponents’ upper bodies.
Freestyle Wrestling was introduced at the St Louis 1904 Games. In Freestyle Wrestling, competitors may use all parts of their body to attempt moves and holds on all parts of their opponents’ bodies. Wrestlers aim to pin their opponent to the ground, or to score points by throwing their opponent or taking them down.
The rules in women’s Wrestling, which made its first Olympic appearance in 2004, are similar to those used in men’s Freestyle Wrestling, but with some key variations – for example, double head-locks are forbidden.
The basics
Wrestling is a body-to-body combat sport, with key variations between the styles.
Greco-Roman Wrestling featured at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. The organisers hoped it would give a flavour of the Ancient Greek Olympic Games, where the sport had been very popular. In Greco-Roman Wrestling, athletes are only allowed to use their arms and upper bodies to attack their opponents’ upper bodies.
Freestyle Wrestling was introduced at the St Louis 1904 Games. In Freestyle Wrestling, competitors may use all parts of their body to attempt moves and holds on all parts of their opponents’ bodies. Wrestlers aim to pin their opponent to the ground, or to score points by throwing their opponent or taking them down.
The rules in women’s Wrestling, which made its first Olympic appearance in 2004, are similar to those used in men’s Freestyle Wrestling, but with some key variations – for example, double head-locks are forbidden.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Big 5 Sports Polo Match
A polo match is usually played outdoors. A polo field is 300 yards long and 160 yards wide, the largest field in organized sport.
A polo match lasts about one and one-half hours and is divided into timed periods called chukkers. Each chukker is seven minutes long.
The object of the game is to move the polo ball down-field, hitting the ball through the goal posts for a score. Polo teams then change direction after each goal in order to compensate for field and wind conditions. A team is made up of four polo players.
Play begins with a throw-in of the ball by the umpire at the opening of each chukker and after each goal.
Players must change horses after each chukker due to the extreme demands placed on the polo pony.
During half time, spectators go onto the field to participate in a tradition called "divot stomping" to help replace the divots created by the horse's hooves.
Polo players are ranked yearly by their peers and the USPA on a scale of -2 to 10 goals. Team play is handicapped on the basis of ability.
Most of the rules of polo are for the safety of the polo players and their ponies. The basic concept is the line of the ball, a right-of-way established by the path of a traveling ball.
Two mounted Umpires do most of the officiating, with a Referee at midfield having the final say in any dispute between the umpires.
Penalty shots are given depending on the severity of the foul.
A polo match lasts about one and one-half hours and is divided into timed periods called chukkers. Each chukker is seven minutes long.
The object of the game is to move the polo ball down-field, hitting the ball through the goal posts for a score. Polo teams then change direction after each goal in order to compensate for field and wind conditions. A team is made up of four polo players.
Play begins with a throw-in of the ball by the umpire at the opening of each chukker and after each goal.
Players must change horses after each chukker due to the extreme demands placed on the polo pony.
During half time, spectators go onto the field to participate in a tradition called "divot stomping" to help replace the divots created by the horse's hooves.
Polo players are ranked yearly by their peers and the USPA on a scale of -2 to 10 goals. Team play is handicapped on the basis of ability.
Most of the rules of polo are for the safety of the polo players and their ponies. The basic concept is the line of the ball, a right-of-way established by the path of a traveling ball.
Two mounted Umpires do most of the officiating, with a Referee at midfield having the final say in any dispute between the umpires.
Penalty shots are given depending on the severity of the foul.
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