A key focus of my blog is Athletics/Sports. The sports world is a magical one no matter which part you get involved it. There’s nothing like the thrill of competition, but the spectator experience brings with it it’s own luster as well. The following contributed post is entitled, 6 Tips For Getting Into Sports For The First Time.
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Photo by Tembela Bohle from Pexels
For many, sports are a part of childhood that lives on into adulthood. However, not every child participates in sports or grows up in a household where inviting friends over to watch a game is common. If you didn’t have a strong exposure to sports but are interested in getting involved now and don’t know where to start, here are six easy-to-follow tips.
Find a mentor
The best way to learn about sports is to spend time with a sports fanatic. If there’s someone in your life who is a big sports fan, ask them if you can watch a game together or join their fantasy league. That way, if you have questions about anything, you have someone you can turn to without feeling embarrassed.
See a live game
While watching sports on television is lots of fun, seeing a live game is a completely different ballpark (pun intended). If you’re not sure you’ll enjoy a sport, seeing it live for the first time is a great way to get into it. With a passionate, screaming crowd around you and the players up close and personal, it’s almost impossible to not get excited yourself.
If you’re concerned about the cost, look at pre-season tickets and advance tickets, which usually go for less. Some stadiums reserve discounted tickets for students as well. You could also look into some of the more affordable sports if money is a real issue. Consider visiting a live horse racing event to see stars like Freddie Vasquez Jr. take to the track. It’s a more affordable option than some of the bigger sports like basketball, soccer, or football. As a bonus, niche sports tend to have smaller crowds so the atmosphere can be much better and friendlier. You’re also likely to get better seats for the price you pay.
Listen to podcasts and watch YouTube videos
One of the best ways to learn and get into sports is simply by watching games, but without expert knowledge, it can be hard to figure out exactly why a penalty was called, or why a certain play was chosen.
By supplementing games with podcasts and YouTube videos, you’ll gain deeper insight into the game. HORSE is a great podcast about the NBA and includes not just breakdowns of games, but also goes into detail about all the things that happen off the basketball court. As many sports lovers will tell you, it’s not all about the game – it’s also about the culture.
Stay up to date on the latest sports news
Staying up to date on the latest sports news isn’t just beneficial for catching up on the results of a game you missed. It’s also a great way to connect with other people and find out what’s going on off the field as well.
Sites like https://sportnews.in/ provide updates and live streaming on multiple different sports, while other sites focus on just one or two. Following your favorite sports teams and leagues on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are also a great way to stay informed.
Start playing sports
Even if you just want to get into sports to watch games with friends, you should still consider registering to play on a recreational sports team yourself. Most people who love watching sports also love playing and having that first-hand experience will give you a new appreciation for the skill level of professionals, while also upping your own investment.
In addition to the physical health benefits, there are mental health benefits of playing sports. Being part of a team, even recreationally, is a great way to improve your social life and make new friends.
