Welcome back, This is our final blog post for this year.

This is a video that we made for this blog. It is a compilation of trick shots that we created and are real at Macquarie outside the gym. Please enjoy this very cool video that we made!

Cricket

Welcome back! Today's sport is Cricket.

Cricket is a bat and ball team sport played on a spherical grass oval. There are two teams of 11 on both teams, with a fielding/bowling team and a batting team. The aim of the batting team is to score as many runs as possible and then defend their score, while the bowling/fielding team is to reduce the batting team from scoring as many runs in a certain amount of overs/time or take 10 wickets. The game originated from England but is also very popular in countries such as South Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka, India, West Indies, Pakistan, New Zealand and England.

Bowling

Here is a quick guide:

Batting

The bowling/fielding team must aim to restrict as many runs as they can from the batting team. There are 11 players on the field at a time, 9 outfielders, 1 bowler and 1 wicket keeper (the guy who stands behind the batter). The bowler must bowl 6 legal deliveries to the batter per over.

The batting team's aim is to score as many runs as possible in a certain time frame or overs. Each team has 11 batters and there is a limit of 10 wickets that can be taken from the fielding team before the batting team must cease their innings regardless of whether the overs have been completed or not. Runs can be scored in 3 different ways. Once the ball is hit by the batter, he/she may proceed to complete 1 run by running from one side of the pitch to the other. 4 runs are scored if the ball is hit all  the way to boundary rope and a 6 is achieved if the ball reaches over the boundary rope on a full.

Fielding

Cricket is perceived to be a very boring sport in the eye of the general viewer. Many individuals (whether they follow sport or not) find that cricket has way too much down time and is played for too long. This point of view however, is not completely irrational as the game can be played over 5 days and the game requires lots of patience with batters required to find loose balls to hit or else they will leave or block the ball. I believe that the sport can be interesting, especially the shortest format as there is more action and excitement.

(written by Nathan Lam)

Taekwondo 2

Ha guys, this post will have more information about Taekwondo.

The last post of Taekwondo has introduced some of the basic kicking skills of Taekwondo. This post will introduce more different methods of the Taekwondo’s kicking. However, the techniques of this post introduce are more complicated and some of them are require people to grasp the basic kicking which introduced in last post.

Hook kick

Hook kick is a kick like round kick. However, hook kick is not kick the target by the instep, it need the leg to move like a hook and use the heel to hit the target.

Axe kick

The axe kick is another kick that use heel to attack the target. However, unlike the hook kick, the movement of axe kick is from up to the down and it usually aims the head of the target.

Spin kick

Spin kick is kick that require the user spin their hold body before they kicking. Some of the spin kick needs the user have the knowledge of other basic, such as the spinning hook kick, spinning axe kick, 360 turning kick.

Jump kicks

Jump kick is meaning the people jump and kick. Normally, it will be used when people have a height difference with their target or people want to increase the power of their kicking. Usually, people will combine the basic kicks with the jump action to be the jump kicks, such as jump snap kick, jump side kick, jump axe kick.

I am highly recommend you guys to try Taekwondo. Due to it is not only a fighting skill and it can also help you guys to have a health body.


Reference: Google Image
(Written by Ricky Law)

Taekwondo

Ha guys, today topic is Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a well-known Korean martial art. The feature of Taekwondo’s skill is focusing on their kicking techniques. In recent years, there are two major style of Taekwondo. The first style is ITF, which have a longest history style; and the second style is WTF, which is more modern and using in Olympics.

Taekwondo have many different kicking methods and here will introduce some basic method. This post will introduce Front snap kick, Side kick, Round kick and Back kick.

 Front snap kick

The front snap kick is the basic skill that people learn in Taekwondo. The special of it is kicking in a linear way and it is very fast. Although it seems very usually, it can be very powerful after a long 
practice.

Side kick

Like the snap kick, side kick is another way to hit the target in the front. But side kick have one more action is to rotates body and make the kick can have a longer hit range.

Round kick

Unlike the snap kick, round kick is the user turn their hips and kicks the target from the side.

Back kick

This kick is the user turn back their body and pushes the back leg straight toward to the target. This kick is also power in the fight; due to the turning movement provide a power for it.

In next post, we will have more type of Taekwondo kicks .

More informations about Taekwondo:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taekwondo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Taekwondo_techniques

http://yoosma.com/the-basic-types-of-taekwondo-kicks/

(Written by Ricky law)

Ice Hockey 2

Hi guys! I am going to talk more on ice hockey.

Ice hockey is one of the full contact sports, which require lots of physical contact between players. So protective equipment is mandatory.

Equipment needed:

      1.      Skates

      2.      Stick

      3.      Helmet

      4.      Shoulder pads

      5.      Elbow pads

      6.      Mouth guard

      7.      Protective gloves

      8.      Girdle

      9.      Shin pads

     10.  Neck protector

Goaltenders use different equipment as they need to block the puck which can be at speeds up to 160 km/h. 
Here we go:

1.      Specialty goalie skates

2.      Jock / jill

3.      Large leg pads

4.      Blocking glove

5.      Catching glove

6.      Chest protector

7.      Goalie mask

8.      Large jersey

(written by Ron Chan)

Cycling

Hey guys! Welcome back! this post will be about  cycle sports.

The Cycle sport is the sport of using bicycles and it usually is an outdoor sport. Unlike the other sport, cycle sport have many type of ways to play, such as BMX, mountain bike racing, road bicycle racing. However, in here we are just go to introduce the basic ways to doing sport with the bicycle.

Bicycles is a human-powered vehicle and it require us to use our feet to move the pedals and produce energy to move the bicycle. Therefore, you need to keep moving your legs to provide the energy for the bicycle and it will training your leg’s muscle. Also, it will challenge your physical strength and your endurance in the long time cycling. 

Here is a video to teach you ride on a bicycle.

In addition, doing the cycle sport in daily life is also a good ways to do sport and keep your fitness. Also, it is can benefits the environment. 

If you want more information about cycle sport, you can go to:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycle_sport

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/cycling-health-benefits

(written by Ricky)

Tennis

Ha guys, today's topic is about tennis

Tennis is a racket sport and it can be an indoor or an outdoor sport. Tennis is a competitiveness sport and it requires two people or four players to play, which is singles and doubles. Tennis needs to play on the tennis court and the each sides of the court need to have the same numbers players.

The basic rule of tennis is to hit back the ball from the other side players to the other side within the court. If the other side player cannot hit back the ball or he hit back the ball but the ball is out of the court, you will get 1 point. The game will be finish when one of the players gets 4 points.

In tennis, there are different types of shots for player to use to hit back the ball. Normally, tennis players need to know have to use serve, forehand and backhand to play.

Serve is the shot to use for begins a game.

Forehand is the player hit the ball with the side of their dominant hand. Normally, if you’re dominant hand is right-hand, that you will hit the ball and waving your racket form right to left.

The backhand is similar to the forehand, but it require the player to wave their racket form the other side of their dominant hand.   

More information in:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis

http://www.ducksters.com/sports/tennisshots.php

http://www.active.com/tennis/articles/tennis-forehand-tips-and-technique

(written by Ricky)

Football (Defending)

Football (Defending)

Hey guys! Here is the second part of my topic of football– defending.

Football is not all about attacking, but defending is also very important.

Skills included in defending are tackling, marking, positioning, heading, etc.

And I think tackling is amongst the most important part in defending and I am going to briefly explain tackling.

Normally, there are two types of tackling in football, namely sliding tackle and standing tackle.

Here are the steps of make a tackle:

1. Run towards the person you want to tackle.
2. Decide on the type of tackle you want to use.
3. Visualise your move preparing your body.
4. Keep your eyes open and throw your body feet first towards the ball.

 And standing tackle is even more simple, you don't need to slide on the group, but to look at the ball clearly which is holding by the opponent, and then kick away the ball.

(Written by Henry Yau)

Ice Hockey

Hello guys! I am going to introduce a sport which is not familiar to most of you. It is called “ice hockey”.

Ice hockey is a contact team sport played on ice usually in a rink, in which 2 teams of skaters use their sticks to shoot a puck into their opponent’s net to score points.

Ice hockey teams usually consist of 6 players with 1 goaltender and 5 players who skate up and down the ice to take the puck and score.

Players can kick the puck but kicking the puck into the net on purpose is not counted as a score. Only shooting by sticks is counted.

(written by Ron Chan)

Squash

Hi there!
In this post, I am going to briefly introduce the sports - Squash!
Somehow, someone may think squash is very similar to tennis, but the fact is actually it is absolutely different!
Squash is a racket sport usually played by singles or doubles in a four-walled court with a rubber ball.
Players must strike the ball with their racket and hit the ball into the walls within the court.



Here are some tips for playing the squash:
1. Watch the ball carefully
2. Expect the ball where it is going
3. Footwork
4. Moving agility
5. Strike the ball after aiming it well


Below is the video for a beginner to play the squash, hope you guys enjoy it! :).

(Written by Henry Yau)

Snooker

Hey guys! Welcome back!


I would like to introduce Snooker to you guys in this blog!
Snooker is a very popular sport and very welcome by the public. You need to have good vision, intelligent mind, as well as decent skills on handling the cue for sure!




Snooker is played on a table covered with a green cloth, with a total of six pockets, where there are four in the corners and two in the middle of each of the long side cushions, while the table is at the size of 12 × 6 ft.


In the game, you need to use the cue to hit the white ball in order to bounce the balls you aimed into the pocket, while you need to score more points than your opponents, while each color of ball represents different point, and the following shows the value of those 7 different color of balls.


Red:      1 point
Yellow: 2 points
Green:   3 points
Brown:  4 points
Blue:     5 points
Pink:     6 points
Black:   7 points

  



All balls in the game of snooker

I promise this is really a fun sport, which does not only improve your sport skills, but also improve your mind! Please don't wait to get start on playing Snooker!

(Written by Henry Yau)

Basketball 3

Hey guys! I am back and going to talk deep about basketball.

Each player in a team will be assigned for different roles.

 

1.      Point guard: He should be the best handler, dribbler and passer as he handles the ball the most out of all the players on the team.

2.      Shooting guard: He has to be good at dribble fast, passing. He needs to be needs to be an accurate shooter from the three-point range.

3.      Small forward: He must have enough height and ability to play inside, also the second or third shooters from distance of 5 positions.

4.      Power forward: He must be an effective rebounder and inside shooter like the centre but he is expected to shoot further distances than the centre.

5.      Centre: He must be able to get up as high as possible for rebounds and block defenders.

(written by Ron Chan)

Golf

Hi guys! I am going to talk about golf in this blog!

Golf should be familiar for you cause it is one of the most popular sport! It is a ball sport in which players use the golf club to hit the ball into the targeted holes with as few strokes as possible.

If you a beginner, I recommend you for the few steps below.

1. Buy a golf club (you can buy golf club in most large sports retailer)
2. Get a lesson! (You can easily find a golf tutor in Internet and compare the prices of course!)
3. Keep training! (Because practices make perfect!)
4. Watch tutorial video on Youtube:)

Let's check out the video you could see! :)

(Written by Henry Yau)

Basketball 2

Hello guys! It’s me again. Today I am going to discuss more about basketball.

There are many basketball techniques. “Shooting”, “passing”, “dribbling”, and “rebounding” are the fundamental skills.

“Shooting” had been mentioned in the last post that is about basketball. “Passing” is the action that give the ball to your teammates.

                                                                         

“Dribbling” is the action to handle the ball as basketball players are not allowed to hold the ball and walk more than 3 steps. The only way to walk through with the ball on hand is dribble.

“Rebounding” is the action to grab the ball when someone miss the shot.

 (written by Ron Chan)

Basketball

Hello guys! This post will be about basketball.

Basketball is a sport played by 2 teams with each teams having 5 players in the court. The way to win the game is to score more points than the opponents. Putting the ball into the hoop is the only method to score.

If you score inside the 3-point line, you can get 2 points.

If you score outside the 3-point line, you can get 2 points.

If you get a shooting foul, you will get the chances of shooting free throw behind the free throw line. You can get 1 point from scoring each basket.

(written by Ron Chan)

Table Tennis

Table tennis is an indoor sport played on a table with table tennis rackets and ping pong balls. The game can be played in a singles or doubles format. The sport in fact is almost identical to tennis except it is played on a table. There are many different strokes in table tennis that are used for different situations. Different side spins forces to opposition to play certain shots to combat the spin in order to return the ball back onto the table, as a result, table tennis is a very strategic and precise game.

Now here are 4 reasons why table tennis is basically a bullshit sport.

1. The table is so small and its soo hard to aim. If you try hit it a little bit harder, the ball will probably fly to China. There is a 90% chance of it going out and 5% chance of hitting the opponent and 4% chance of it hitting the net and that leaves 1% chance of you actually returning it back correctly.

2. The experts make it look deceptively easy that its unfair. Like every time you watch the Olympics and they play table tennis, the best players are always Asian, either Korean, Chinese or Japanese. So anyone who isn't one of those races are already at a disadvantage.

3. The ball breaks all the time. The table tennis ball is made of plastic probably from factories in China. Everyone knows things made from china break within a few days and is probably fake. Picture this, you're playing table tennis at your friends house and the ball goes out, next thing you know, he accidentally steps on it. GAME OVER. Would this accident happen if you were playing soccer? I don't think so.

4. 90% of participants are Asian. Okay, so this isn't so much of a problem if you're Asian. But if you're European or African or from Oceania, you'll not only feel left out, but you'll get a lot of funny faces too. Take for example the NSW Junior Table Tennis teams. 90% of the boys and girls are all Asian, and this is Australia we're talking about. This means that the future of table tennis for Australia basically lies in the hands of the amount of Chinese immigrants we get.

Here is a short video of a Japanese expert playing table tennis.

(written by Nathan Lam)

Football (Attacking)

Football (Attacking)

Hey guys! This post will be talking about my favourite sport, football, or someone will call it soccer!

I will divide the topic of football into two parts, namely attacking and defending.

And this post is going to talk about attacking, some basic skills included attacking are shooting, dribbling, passing, crossing, etc... 

But I think the aspect you guys like must be shooting, and I am going to briefly explain how to take a powerful shoot by steps.

Here are the steps:

1. See where the goal is located
2. Choose the side of your foot to shoot (left or right)
3. Put your non-kicking foot alongside the ball.
4. Keep your head down and your eyes on the ball when striking.
5. Keep your body over the ball.
6. Make contact with the middle to top half of the ball
7. SHOOT!

Let’s check out the video that may help you easier to understand! 

(Written by Henry Yau)

Badminton

Badminton is a sport played on an indoor court with a shuttlecock and rackets. The game is played in the format of singles or doubles or mixed. The Sport is popular amongst many countries in Asia but is also popular in some European countries. There are a wide variety of shots (similar to tennis and squash) that can be played in badminton such as: smash, drop, net, clear, drive and lift. These range of shots account for certain situations with different desired outcomes. Here is a quick run down of these shots.

The smash is an offensive shot used in badminton. The aim is to hit the shuttle with a lot of force and power in a downward gradient. This shot can be used when the opposition lifts or clears and the shuttle is high up in the air so that there is time to play this shot. Players generally smash in an attempt to win or end the rally. 

The drop shot is a semi-offensive alternative to smashing. The drop shot is used: if the back court player is out of position to smash, to keep the opposition moving up to the net or to slow down the pace of the rally. Similar to the smash, the drop shot is hit with a downward but slower trajectory so that the shuttle drops inside the space of the service line forcing to play a defensive stroke.

The clear is the most basic defensive shot in badminton. It is used
to get players out of trouble or to allow for time so that they may recover back into a correct defensive position. However, the clear can also be used when attacking as an offensive shot against inexperienced players to catch them off guard. This is effective because the opposition may not expect a clear and therefore may be only able to return the shuttle mid court which sets up the offence to attack in a better position.

The lift is an underarm swing performed near the net aimed to propel the shuttle to the back of the court. It gives a very similar outcome to the clear, the difference being that it is performed when the opposition drops or nets the shuttle. When there is not enough time to kill or drive or net the shuttle back, the lift is required to keep the rally in-play. 

The drive is a fast and furious badminton shot that is exchanged horizontally across the net. One of the main reasons to hit the drive is to increase the pace of the game. It can be considered a nothing shot as the aim of a drive is not the win or lose the rally but to wait until the opposition decides to lift or clear the shuttle.



The net shot is used to create opportunities and dominate the front of the court. It is a very important skill to help win badminton rallies. A good net shot can force the opponent to perform a high lift/clear, so that you can play a winning smash. There are a few different net shots that can be played. They are called a normal net shot, a tumble and the cross court net shots.



Badminton is quite an easy sport to learn. It requires a certain level of hand eye coordination and upper strength to hit the shuttle and athleticism to move around the court. I believe it can be an enjoyable sport for amateurs to play.


(Written by Nathan Lam)