Chapter 7: Safety

Practices in Sports and

Exercises
Regular physical activity is vital for good physical, social and emotional health. While
there is a risk of injury with any type of physical activity, the benefits of staying active
far outweigh the risks.

You can reduce your risk of exercise injury by:

 wearing the right shoes
 using the correct equipment
 drinking lots of water
 warm up and stretching properly.

Exercise safety advice

You can obtain information and advice about exercise safety from your doctor, a
sports medicine doctor, physiotherapist or an exercise physiologist – or see a
sporting association about correct sporting technique and equipment.

Guidelines for exercise safety

Some guidelines for general exercise safety include:

 Use pre-exercise screening to identify whether you are at a higher risk of
experiencing a health problem during physical activity. This is a filter or ‘safety net’ to
help decide if the potential benefits of exercise outweigh the risks for you. Ensure
you read through pre-exercise self-screening tool before you embark on a
physical activity or exercise program.
 When deciding if any exercise is safe, you need to consider the technique used as
well as your individual condition, such as injury history and fitness level.

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 Be guided by a qualified fitness instructor. If you have a pre-existing injury or medical
condition, consult a sports medicine doctor, exercise physiologist or physiotherapist.
 There are many changes during pregnancy, such as changes in body shape and
size,that pose potential risk of increased injury. It is essential that all pregnant
women discuss their exercise plans with their doctor, as each pregnancy is different.
 Be aware that increasing the speed of any exercise can increase the risk of injury.
 Avoid or modify any exercise that causes you pain or discomfort. Don’t ignore your
body’s signals of fatigue, discomfort and pain.
 Cross-train with other sports and exercises to reduce the risk of over training.
 Make sure you have at least one recovery day, preferably two, every week.
 Remember that injuries need rest – trying to ‘work through’ the pain will cause more
damage to soft muscle tissue and delay healing.

When to stop exercising immediately

Stop exercising and seek medical help if you experience symptoms such as:
 discomfort or pain
 chest pain or other pain that could indicate a heart attack, including pain in the neck
and jaw, pain travelling down the arm or pain between the shoulder blades
 extreme breathlessness
 a very rapid or irregular heartbeat during exercise.

Exercises that could be harmful

Some exercises that involve fast or repetitive twisting, or long-lasting or held
movements are best avoided because they can cause damage to bones and
muscles. When deciding if any exercise is safe, you need to consider the technique
and the load, as well as your personal circumstances, such as any previous injuries
and your fitness level.

Bouncing while stretching

It is mistakenly believed that 'bouncing' as you stretch (ballistic stretching) helps

muscles to stretch further. Sudden overstretching stimulates the stretch reflex
causing the muscles to contract even tighter in an attempt to prevent injury.
Bouncing is counterproductive as it can cause small tears to the muscle tissue,

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 which are experienced as muscle soreness or tenderness.

Instead of ‘bouncing, try:

 concentrating on slow, sustained stretches
 holding the stretch for 10 to 20 seconds
 Once the muscle feels comfortable, gently increasing the stretch and then holding
again.

Standing toe-touches

Avoid standing toe-touches altogether. Bending

down to touch the toes, with straight legs, can
overstretch the lower back muscles and hamstrings,
and stress the vertebrae, discs and muscles of the
lower back and hamstrings. Adding a twisting
movement to the toe-touch can cause damage to
the joints.

Alternative stretches for the abdominal muscles or the lower back muscles and
hamstrings include:
 Stretch the hamstrings and lower back muscles by placing one foot on a low bench
or chair, with both legs slightly bent so as not to stress the knee joints and, keeping
your back straight, gently reach forward with your arms.
 An alternative hamstring stretch involves lying on your back with both knees bent.
Straighten one leg by lifting it towards the ceiling, keeping the knee slightly bent.
Support this leg by clasping both hands behind the knee. Hold. Repeat for the other
leg. You should feel the stretch on the back thigh of the straight leg.
 For an alternative lower-back stretch, sit cross-legged on the floor then slowly lean
forward, keeping your back straight while reaching your arms out to the floor. Hold.

Deep (full) squat

Full squats push the knee joint past 90 degrees. Whether

they are done with or without weights (a barbell or a weight
held across the shoulders or in the hands) this can strain
the ligaments, cartilage and muscle of the knee joint and
lower back, and create problems with the tracking
(movement) of the kneecap.

Alternative suggestions include:

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 Perform half-squats instead (45-degree bend of the knee).
 Use a mirror to check when your knee joint is at 90 degrees. You could also ask
someone else to watch you or seek instruction from a qualified fitness professional.

Sit-ups

Two common but potentially

harmful variations of the sit-up
include anchoring the feet
(where your training partner
holds your feet) or keeping the
legs straight along the floor. The
hands are held behind the head
or neck, and the upper body
lifted. These types of sit-ups
strain the lower back and tend
to target the muscles of the hips
and thighs rather than the
abdomen. Avoid this style of sit-
up altogether.

Instead, perform abdominal curls. Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on
the floor and arms folded across your chest or alongside your body. Breathe out and
curl your ribcage towards your pelvis.

Double leg raises

Avoid double leg raises. This exercise

involves lying on your back and raising both
legs at the same time. This places enormous
stress on the lower back. Another potentially
harmful variation is to lie on your stomach
and lift both legs at the same time. An
alternative is to perform the exercise one leg
at a time, making sure your hips remain
stable throughout the movement. Keep the
other leg bent, with your foot on the ground.

Behind the neck press

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The ‘behind the neck presses or ‘lat pulldown behind the neck’ should be avoided,
especially if you have been told you have instability in the front of your shoulder.

Stretching and exercise safety

Stretching, warming up and cooling
down were previously thought to
aid injury prevention during
exercise. However, there is not a
lot of evidence that these activities
are effective in reducing exercise
injury risk.

There is some evidence that

warming up and cooling down
might help to reduce muscle soreness after exercise, even if they don’t prevent
injuries. Careful stretching can be included as part of your overall warm-up and cool-
down routine. Some people also find psychological benefits in stretching and
warming up to put them in the right frame of mind for exercise or to help them relax
after exercise.

Warming up and exercise safety

As the name suggests, your warm-up (five to 10 minutes) should gradually warm
your muscles and body temperature. The type of activity done in the warm-up should
include the major muscle groups that will be used in your sporting activity.

Your warm-up could begin with a low intensity activity such as brisk walking or
jogging. Stretching should be performed once the muscles have been warmed, as
the stretching of cold muscles is less effective. It is also important to stretch after
activity to assist recovery.

Cooling down and exercise safety

In the last five minutes of exercise, slow down gradually to a light jog or brisk walk,
then finish off with five to 10 minutes of stretching (emphasise the major muscle

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 groups you have used during your activity). This helps to reduce muscle soreness
and stiffness.

Water consumption and exercise safety

You can lose around one and a half litres of fluid for every hour of exercise. One of
the first symptoms of dehydration is fatigue, which causes a significant drop in
sporting performance. It may also cause you to experience cramps, heat stress and
heat stroke. Suggestions include:
 Avoid starting exercise dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids for several hours prior to
exercise.
 If you are well hydrated you should be able to pass a good volume of clear urine in
the hour before exercise.
 Drink at least 500 ml (2 cups) an hour before exercise.
 Drink at least 150 ml every 15 minutes during exercise.
 During exercise take advantage of all breaks in play to have a drink.
 After exercise, drink more to ensure you are fully rehydrated.

Exercise safety in hot weather

Exercising in hot weather puts additional strain on your body. Heat-related illnesses
such as heatstroke and sunstroke occur when your body can't keep itself cool.
Sweating isn't enough on its own to cool your body.

Symptoms of heat-related illness can include:

 irritability
 general discomfort
 weakness
 headache
 nausea
 cramps.

Suggestions to avoid heat-related illnesses include:

 Drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise.
 Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes.
 Protect yourself from the sun with clothing such as long-sleeved tops, full-length
trousers, a hat and sunglasses or an umbrella.
 Exercise in the cooler parts of the day – preferably before dawn or after sunset.
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 Reduce your exercise intensity. Take frequent breaks and drink water or other fluids
every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you don't feel thirsty. If you have clear, pale urine,
you are probably drinking enough fluids.
 Don’t drink alcohol, tea or coffee before or after exercising, as these beverages
promote fluid loss.
 If you have travelled to a hotter climate, remember that it may take about 10 days of
exercising before you fully acclimatise.

Exercise safety in cold weather

In cold weather, muscles are more susceptible to
injuries. Safety suggestions include:
 Wear appropriate warm clothing. Multiple layers
of clothing trap more body heat than one bulky
layer.
 Devote more time to warming up and stretching
before exercising and make sure you do a
thorough cool-down.
 Keep up your fluid intake, since cold weather prompts fluid loss.
 Don’t forget sun protection – it is possible to be sunburnt even in cold weather,
especially at high altitudes or on clear days.

Exercise safety and your equipment

Most sports and exercises rely on some

type of equipment, such as shoes,
bicycles or racquets. Protective
equipment – such as mouthguards, shin
pads and helmets – can significantly
reduce the risk of injury by absorbing
the impact of falls or collisions. Safety
suggestions include:

 If your sporting equipment is handheld, make sure you are using the right grip – for
example, holding a tennis racquet the wrong way can increase your risk of tennis
elbow (tendonitis).
 Make sure your equipment is appropriate to your sport or activity and your size and
age.

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 Wear appropriate shoes for your sport and replace them before they wear out.
 Wear protective equipment during training, not just for competition and games.
 Check equipment regularly and replace if worn out. If you are unsure how to
maintain or check your equipment, consult with your coach or sporting association.
 Injuries can also be caused by incorrect form or technique. Consult your gym
instructor, coach, sporting association, exercise physiologist or physiotherapist for
instruction on how to improve your sporting technique.

Where to get help

 Your doctor
 Sports medicine doctor
 Physiotherapist
 Sports association
 Exercise physiologist

Things to remember
 Training too hard or fast is a common cause of sports-related injuries.
 Consult with your gym instructor, coach, sporting association, exercise physiologist
or physiotherapist for instruction on how to exercise safely.
 Potentially harmful exercises include bouncing while stretching, standing toe-touches,
full squats, straight-legged sit-ups and double leg raises.
 Wear appropriate protective gear and make sure your sporting equipment (including
shoes) is well maintained.
 Stop exercise immediately if you are injured and seek medical advice before starting
exercise again.

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 Chapter 8: Sports
Injury Management
After a sedentary work week, end-zone catches and 36-hole weekends can take their
toll in common sports injuries. The seven most common sports injuries are:

1. Ankle sprain
2. Groin pull
3. Hamstring strain
4. Shin splints
5. Knee injury: ACL tear
6. Knee injury: Patellofemoral
syndrome — injury resulting from
the repetitive movement of your
kneecap against your thigh bone
7. Tennis elbow (epicondylitis)

To see how to prevent and treat these common sports injuries — and to learn when it's
time to look further than your medicine cabinet to treat sports injuries— read on.

The most common sports injuries are strains and sprains

Sprains are injuries to ligaments, the tough bands connecting bones in a joint.
Suddenly stretching ligaments past their limits deforms or tears them. Strains are
injuries to muscle fibers or tendons,
which anchor muscles to bones. Strains
are called “pulled muscles” for a reason:
Over-stretching or overusing a muscle
causes tears in the muscle fibers or
tendons.

“Think of ligaments and muscle-tendon

units like springs,” says William Roberts,
MD, sports medicine physician at the
University of Minnesota and
spokesman for the American College of Sports Medicine. “The tissue lengthens with
stress and returns to its normal length — unless it is pulled too far out of its normal
range.”

Preventing the most common sports injuries

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Sometimes preventing common sports injuries is beyond our control, but many times
sports injuries are preventable. “Some injuries,” Roberts says, “we bring on ourselves
because we're not conditioned for the activity.” His advice: “Work out daily and get

double benefit — enjoy your weekend activities and garner the health benefits.”

Every workout should start with a gentle warm-up to prevent common sports injuries,
says Margot Putukian, MD, director of athletic medicine at Princeton University. “Getting
warmed up increases blood flow to the muscles, gets you more flexible, and could
decrease injuries,” she adds.

Overuse injuries are common and preventable, according to Putukian. “Don't come out
and hit the ball for an hour after not playing for a while,” she says. Whether it's hiking,
running, or team sports, do some “pre-participation training” first by lightly working the
relevant muscle groups in the weeks before the activity.

And learn to recognize when you've already left it all on the field. “Stop when you are
fatigued,” says Roberts. “Muscle fatigue takes away all your protective mechanisms and
really increases your risk of all injuries.” You can always come out to play again next
weekend — if you don't get injured today.

Treating the most common sports injuries

Usually, common sports injuries are mild or moderate — there's some damage, but
everything is still in place. You can treat them at home using the PRICE therapy method
described later in this article. But you should expect that some common sports injuries
may take months to heal, even with good treatment. If a sprain or strain is severe,
however, the entire muscle, tendon, or ligament is torn away, and surgery may be
needed.

Here are some specific tips for treating each of the most common sports injuries:

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1. Ankle sprain

What it is: Most athletes have experienced a sprained ankle, which typically occurs
when the foot turns inward. This turning stretches or tears the ligaments on the outside
of the ankle, which are relatively
weak.

What you can do: With an ankle

sprain, it’s important to exercise to
prevent loss of flexibility and strength
— and re-injury. You can ask your
doctor or physical therapist to help
you know what kinds of exercise you
should do.

When to see a doctor: It’s important to note where the sprain has occurred. “A 'high
ankle sprain' is slower to heal and should probably be seen by a doctor to make sure
the bones in the lower leg did not separate,” says R. Marvin Royster, MD. Royster is
assistant team physician for the Atlanta Braves and an orthopedic surgeon with
Peachtree Orthopedic Clinic in Atlanta. One way to recognize a high ankle sprain is that
this sprain usually causes tenderness above the ankle.

2. Groin pull

What it is: Pushing off in a side-to-side motion causes strain of the inner thigh muscles,
or groin. “Hockey, soccer, football, and baseball are common sports with groin injuries,”
says Royster.

What you can do: Compression, ice, and rest will heal most groin injuries. Returning to
full activity too quickly can aggravate a groin pull or turn it into a long-term problem.

When to see a doctor: “Any groin pull that has significant swelling should be seen early
by a physician,” Royster says.

3. Hamstring strain

What it is: Three muscles in the back of the thigh form

the hamstring. The hamstring can be over-stretched
by movements such as hurdling — kicking the leg out
sharply when running. Falling forward while
waterskiing is another common cause of hamstring
strains.

What you can do: “Hamstring injuries are slow to heal because of the constant stress
applied to the injured tissue from walking,” says Royster. “Complete healing can take six
to 12 months.” Re-injuries are common because it's hard for many guys to stay inactive
for that long.

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4. Shin splints

What they are: Pains down the front of the lower legs are commonly called “shin splints.”
They are most often brought on by running — especially when starting a more
strenuous training program like long runs on paved roads.

What you can do: Rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medicine are the mainstays of
treatment.

When to see a doctor: The pain of shin splints is rarely an actual stress fracture — a
small break in the shin bone. But you should see your doctor if the pain persists, even
with rest. Stress fractures require prolonged rest, commonly a month or more to heal.

5. Knee injury: ACL tear

What it is: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) holds the leg bone to the knee. Sudden
“cuts” or stops or getting hit from the side can strain or tear the ACL. A complete tear
can make the dreaded “pop” sound.

When to see a doctor: Always, if you

suspect an ACL injury. ACL tears are
potentially the most severe of the
common sports injuries. “A
completely torn ACL will usually
require surgery in individuals who
wish to remain physically active,”
says Royster.

6: Knee injury: Patellofemoral syndrome

What it is: Patellofemoral syndrome can result from the repetitive movement of your
kneecap (patella) against your thigh bone (femur), which can damage the tissue under
the kneecap. Running, volleyball, and basketball commonly set it off. One knee or both
can be affected.

What you can do: Patience is key. Patellofemoral pain can take up to six weeks to clear
up. It's important to continue low-impact exercise during this time. Working out the
quadriceps can also relieve pain.

7. Tennis elbow (epicondylitis)

What it is: Repetitive use of the elbow — for example, during golf or tennis swings —
can irritate or make tiny tears in the elbow's tendons. Epicondylitis is most common in
30- to 60-year-olds and usually involves the outside of the elbow.

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What you can do: Epicondylitis can usually be cleared up by staying off the tennis court
or golf course until the pain improves.

The PRICE principle for treating common sports injuries

The U.S. Marines say that “pain is weakness leaving your body.” Most of the rest of us
would add, “OK, but can't we hurry it up a little?” The answer is yes. Using the PRICE
method to treat any common sports injury will help get you back in the game sooner.

First, it’s important to know that swelling is a normal response to these injuries.
Excessive swelling, though, can reduce range of motion and interfere with healing. You
can limit swelling and start healing faster after common sports injuries by using the
PRICE principle:

 P — protect from further injury

For more severe injuries, protect the injured area with a splint, pad, or crutch.
 R — restrict activity
Restricting activity will prevent worsening of the injury.
 I — apply ice
Apply ice immediately after a common sports injury. “Ice is the miracle drug” for
sports injuries, says Putukian. “It's an anti-inflammatory, without many side
effects.” Use ice for 20 minutes every one to two hours for the first 48 hours after
the injury. Don't use heat during this time — it encourages swelling and
inflammation.
 C — apply compression
Compression with an elastic bandage will help reduce swelling.
 E — elevate the injured area
Elevating the injured area above the heart will also reduce swelling.

Over-the-counter pain relievers usually relieve the pain of common sports injuries to a
tolerable level. If they don't, it's probably time to see a doctor.

When to get medical attention for common sports injuries

We know you're tough — but you also need to be smart. If you suspect a serious injury
or if you have any of these signs, see a doctor:

 Deformities in the joint or bone — it looks “crooked,” or moves abnormally

 You cannot bear weight or can't use the limb without it “giving way”
 Excessive swelling
 Changes in skin color beyond mild bruising
 It's not getting any better after a few days of PRICE therapy

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 Chapter 9: Sports: An
Introduction
4 Different Types of Sports That You Have
To Know

As you know, there are many different sports that a person can play. In fact, a sports
event like Olympics features a long list of sports. Therefore, it only goes to show that the
field of sports is diverse and extensive.

But, if you want to know much better about the different types of sports, you are advised
to check out and read the list shown below as it gives you information about these
different types of sports. Bear in mind that on this article we don’t include any type of
sports that are not physical.

For example some people

consider Chess or even
poker games as sports
because people compete
against each other using
their brain instead of their
body.

But on this article we only

include the types of sports
that are considered as
physical.

1. Ball Sports

First on the list of the sports’ different

types is the ball sport which is the most
common one among of all types as well. Ball
sports are any sports that involve and use the
balls. The ball sports are divided into three

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classifications which are the ball only, ball and a stick or bat, and ball over the net. Under
the classification of the ball only are the basketball, soccer or football, bowling, football,
paddleball, handball, and table tennis.
On the other hand, some examples of the ball and a stick or bat are the golf, baseball,
field hockey, cricket, lacrosse, billiards, and softball. Tennis, badminton, water polo,
pickleball, and volleyball are some of the sports which are under the classification of the
ball over the net.

2. Strength and Combat Sports

Another type of sports is the strength

and combat sports which are sports that
involve strength and fighting. Some
examples of sports that are strength –
based include bodybuilding, weightlifting,
and powerlifting.
Meanwhile, some examples of the
combat sports are boxing, ultimate
fighting, wrestling, and the ancient
martial arts such as jujutsu, karate, and
taekwondo. Kendo and fencing are some
examples of the combat sports that allow
and use weapons.

A lot of these sports are Olympic Games which clearly shows the importance of them

3. Track and Endurance Sports

Track and endurance sports is

another type of sports which
exists in this field. Under the
track, sports are the marathons,
sprints, relays, long jump and
high jump, javelin throwing, pole
vault, and discus throw which are
some can be played either by a
single person or by a team.
Mountain biking, road cycling,
BMX, track cycling, and
cyclocross are included in the
track sports as well.
With the endurance sports, the duathlon which consists of biking and running, the
biathlon which consists of skiing and shooting, and the triathlon, consisting of swimming,
biking, and running are some examples of this type of sports. The decathlon which
consists of running, long jump and high jump, hurdling, throwing such as javelin throw,
discus throw, and shot put is under the endurance sports as well.

4. Water, Snow, and Ice Sports

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 Lastly, is the water, snow, and ice sports
which are any sports that associated with
the elements of water, snow, and ice.
Some examples of the water sports are
swimming, synchronized swimming, diving,
wake boarding, surfing, sailing, and rowing.
Some of the sports which can be played on
the ice are the popular ice hockey, figure
skating, speed skating, and curling.
Meanwhile, under the snow sports are the
snowboarding, skiing, sledding, luge,
skeleton, bobsled or bobsleigh, and ski
bobbing.
As the result of giving time to read the list above, you have now informed yourself on the
different types that sports have. So with this, you are now convinced as well that sports
are a diverse and extensive field. If you are still eager to get more information about the
different types of sports, you can do your research on the internet or in the available
research facilities in your place.

3 CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PICKING A

SPORT

With so many sports out there, it can be difficult to choose the right one for you.
While you can always try any sport, it’s good to have an idea which one will suit you. Before
you pick a sport and buy gear like radar guns, bows and arrows, baseball bats, or epees or
sabers, consider these factors first.
Your interests
When choosing a sport, it’s important that
you’re really into the sport so that you
won’t easily lose interest. Maybe you’ve
always admired Michael Jordan for
winning six NBA championships, making
you want to try basketball. Or perhaps
you like tennis because everyone in your
family plays. Whatever the reason, just be
sure that you’re truly interested in the
sport as you’ll most likely be investing a
lot of time, effort, and even money in it.
Your physique
Aside from fitness, the right body shape and size are also crucial for playing the sport of your
choice. If you’re tall and have long limbs, for example, basketball and volleyball are great

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options. Conversely, if you’re on the stocky side, weightlifting could be the sport for you.
However, don’t fret if you don’t have the right body type because hard work and discipline
can help make up for whatever you lack in the physical department.
Your skills
Finally, your skills should also matter in the
selection of your sport. Think about your
physical skills and determine what you’re
naturally good at. It could be that you run really
fast, and track and field sports like sprint and
long jump would be best for you. You probably
have a knack for accuracy, so it’s a great idea
to try pistol shooting. Remember, though, that
you still have to work on your skills to further
develop them.
Hopefully, your choices have been narrowed down after considering these factors. You’ve
moved closer to choosing the sport for you.

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 Chapter 10:
Organization and
Management of Sports
Events
Tournament Format
What are the different types of tournament formats?
There are quite a few different ways to run tournaments, but there are about
7 formats that are far more popular than the rest. If you read on, there is a
brief description of each tournament type. By clicking on the link to that
particular format you will get a complete explanation along with printable
brackets for each format.

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Single Elimination Tournament
The single elimination format is by far the easiest to organize. The name
says it all, if a team loses one time they are out of the tournament. This type
of tournament works best if you have a large number of teams and a short
time frame. Single elimination tournaments don't work well for "matches"
that are very short in time. For example an Arm Wrestling Tournament,
where a match takes just a few seconds. If participants are traveling to enter
the tournament, they would like to be around for more than 3 seconds. So
you would be better of using one of the other formats listed below. Check out
our Single Elimination Tournament Brackets.

Double Elimination Tournament

The double elimination tournament is my favorite format, and along with
single elimination is the most popular. To be eliminated from this type of
tourney, a team or player must lose two times. There is a winner's bracket
and a loser's bracket, everyone starts in the winner's bracket. Upon defeat
they will move to the loser's bracket where they will battle their way to play
in the championship match, which they must defeat the winner's bracket
champion twice. Check out our Double Elimination Tournament Brackets.

Triple Elimination Tournament

Not quite as popular as the Single and the Double, the triple elimination
format is good to add to you arsenal if you are looking to add a few extra
matches for the participants. Just as with the other two, Triple Elimination
simply means that a team or player needs to lose 3 times in order to be
eliminated from the tournament. When a team loses in the winner's bracket
they will drop to loser's Bracket 1, when they lose there they will drop to
loser's bracket 2. If beaten in loser's bracket 2 they are eliminated from the
tournament. Check out our Triple Elimination Tournament Brackets.

Round Robin
The Round Robin Tournament is fairly popular and simply means that every
team will play every other team in the tournament one time. This allows for a
wide variety of opponents, and as opposed to an elimination tournament the
teams can see how they match up with all teams. Based on the number of
participants, the round robin format can be broken up into "pools". A pool is
a group of teams that will play round robin and the winner of each pool will
usually face off in a championship tournament. Example: A normal 24 team
Round Robin Tournament would have 276 games, so the ideal way to run
this would be to break it up into 6 Pools of 4 teams which would have 36
total games. You could then take the 6 winners from each pool and have a
single elimination tournament to decide the overall championship.
We have basic Printable Round Robin Schedules and we also have a Round
Robin Generator which will allow you got customize your tournament by
typing in team names, locations, number of pools ect..

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3 Game Guarantee Tournament
The 3 Game Guarantee format is popular in the Softball world as it allows
teams traveling from far distances to be assured they are getting in enough
games to make it worth their time and money. Each team will play a
minimum of 3 games, the format is similar to double elimination. There is a
winner's bracket and a loser's bracket, the main difference being teams that
lose their first two games will get to play an extra game in the loser's bracket
in order to assure everyone gets to play at least 3 games. Check out our 3
Game Guarantee Tournament Brackets.

Consolation Tournaments
Consolation tournaments are very popular in the wrestling world. There are
quite a few variations to the consolation brackets, but the basic idea behind
them is the same. When a team wins in the first round they move/stay in the
winner's bracket for the duration of the tournament and will be playing for
the overall championship. When a team loses in the first round they will be
moved to the Consolation Bracket where they will have no chance of winning
the tournament, but instead be competing for the consolation championship.
Some Consolation Brackets will also have the losers of later rounds of the
winner's bracket drop down to the consolation bracket to compete for the
consolation championship. Check out our printable Consolation Tournament
Brackets.

Compass Draw Tournaments

Last, but not least, is the Compass draw tournament, which is used widely in
Tennis and Pickleball, but is actually a really nice format that can be used for
any sport. The are various brackets on each draw sheet that are marked by
points on a compass(East, West, North, South, Northeast, Northwest,
Southeast, Southwest). When a team loses they are moved to a different
bracket, winners always just advance in their current bracket. This allows
players to play in plenty of matches and as the tournament progresses the
bracket is designed to automatically pair them with others of their skill level.
Check out our printable Compass Draw Tournament Brackets.

Explore the Strategy of Sports Marketing

There are few things in the world as widely

loved as sports. The National Football
Foundation reports that 49,670,895 people

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 attended an NCAA football game in 2011, while over 110 million people watched the
2012 Superbowl, according to Nielsen. From fanatics to casual viewers, sports capture
the attention of more people than almost any other kind of event.
Marketers understand the popularity of sports and have made them a centerpiece of
marketing campaigns for decades. As the size and popularity of national sports has
grown, the field of sports marketing has grown with it. According to CNBC, Budweiser
has spent almost 240 million dollars on Superbowl ads alone over the last 10 years. As
long as sports continue to thrill hundreds of millions of people, they will continue to be a
prime events to deliver advertising messages.

What is Sport Marketing?

Sports marketing uses sports, in any form, to help sell goods and services. This
particular style of marketing is less about using a single strategy and more about using
the content of sports to assist marketing efforts. This is not limited to professional sports,
and may include college athletics, minor leagues, or alternative sports.
Since sports can be watched on a variety of platforms, sports marketing can take many
different forms. Teams sell advertising space inside their stadiums to marketers who
want to purchase billboards and other print ads, while TV networks sell airtime during the
events. Famous athletes also sign contracts to work as celebrity endorsers and lend
their images to marketers.
The biggest advantage of sports marketing is that it allows marketers to piggyback on
the popularity and devotion many fans feel towards their favorite teams and athletes. If a
baseball fan has loved a specific team since childhood, any marketer who associates
themselves with that team gains instant credibility in that fan's mind. Since the revenue
ultimately goes to support the team, the marketer is considered a sponsor and invested
in the team's success.
The only major disadvantage is that the sports marketing industry is so large that it can
be hard to stand out in the crowd. A fan who watches a three hour football game will be
exposed to dozens of different marketing messages. Marketers must advertise to a wide
range of customers, but risk that their ad gets overlooked by fans more interested in the
game.

Example of Sport Marketing

 Allstate – The insurance company sponsors NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne. His car is
covered in prominent Allstate ads and he appears in the company's print and TV ads.
 Reebok – The sneaker maker lead one of the most memorable ad campaigns of all time
when they created a fictional rivalry between decathletes Dan O’Brien and Dave
Johnson. This created buzz for both the Olympics and Reebok.
 Coke – An iconic ad featuring football player Joe Green signing an autograph for a
young boy helped introduce the slogan “Have a Coke and a smile.”
 StubHub – The ticket agents featured a common sports sound, the buzzer signaling the
end of a period, at the ends of their ads. When fans heard the sound in the course of a
game, they thought of StubHub.
 Budweiser – The beer maker invests heavily in TV marketing during the Superbowl.
Viewers look forward to the humorous new ads almost as much as the game itself.

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 Citi Bank – The company paid millions of dollars for naming rights to the home field of
the New York Mets, now called Citi Field.

The Most Popular Sports

It is important for any sports marketer to understand the audience for sports. Different
customers favor different sports. The UFC attracts a younger crowd while the audience
for the PGA tends to be older. The chart below, based on a survey by Scarbrough
Sports Marketing, illustrates the 20 most popular sports in America. It contains a number
of surprises that are relevant to marketers. The Olympics, for instance, are widely loved
despite being held every 4 years. Major sports like hockey and golf are less popular than
college athletics and individual sports like gymnastics. Marketers use data like this to
help them reach their target audience.

How is a Sport Marketing planed developed and

Implemented
Using sports to sell products presents many opportunities that bring both risk and reward.
A successful sports marketing campaign can linger in the minds of consumers for years,
while an ineffective one can be a significant waste of money. All marketing efforts must
be guided by a comprehensive marketing plan if they hope to succeed.
The plan will begin with a number of logistical questions, such as budget estimations and
resources. Sports marketing can get expensive quickly and the companies will need to
use their resources wisely. They will also need to establish a time frame for the
campaign. Will it run for a week, an entire season, or involve a multi-year marketing

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effort like buying stadium naming rights? Different marketing objectives will involve
different plans.
The company then needs to know who their target audience is and how they can best be
reached. This involves analyzing the company, their product, and the customer. If a
marketer wants to reach males under 35 they might focus on extreme sports. If they
want to reach a casual sports fan, they might focus their efforts on the Olympics. The
marketer will need to examine the entire sports marketing landscape and identify the
most promising opportunities based on scientifically based market research.
A team of creative professionals will work on developing ads whether they are TV spots,
billboards, or radio ads. Research findings should determine the goals of the
advertisements, but ad makers will develop the content that they think can best speak to
the target audience. They will use team colors, slogans, and sports imagery to create a
link between the product and the sport. (See also Brand Marketing)
Once the ad campaign begins, the company will need to evaluate how effective it is.
Metrics like increased sales, Twitter followers, and brand awareness are all indicators of
how well a campaign is being received. The metrics should reflect the goals established
in the marketing plan. If the goals are being met, the campaign can be continued and
built upon. If the number falls short, the marketing strategy will have to be revised.

Career in Sport Marketing

Brand Manager
A brand manager is responsible for all of the marketing related to a specific brand.
Popular brands like Gatorade, Nike, and Under Armour dedicate huge parts of their
marketing budget to sports marketing. The brand manager will coordinate the marketing
efforts across print, radio, TV, and online advertising channels.
Education/Experience
 Brand Manager
entry level - $35,000-$65,000
after 10 years - $70,000-$140,000
 Sports Agent
entry level - $25,000-$100,000
after 10 years - $100,000-$1,000,000
 Sports Marketing Project Manager
entry level - $45,000-$60,000
after 10 years - $70,000-$110,000
Source: http://www.indeed.com/salary
All brand managers will need to have a degree in marketing. Many have advanced
degrees in marketing as well as supplemental education in communications or public
relations. Brand manager is considered a senior marketing position. Marketers will need
to work with a company for years before they can manage their own brands.
Sports Agent
Sports agents represent the interests of professional athletes. Their job is to maximize
the earning potential of an athlete. Part of their job is to find and negotiate deals for
product endorsements. Agents act as intermediaries between companies and athletes
and are integral to getting sports marketing deals done.

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Education/Experience
A sports agent will not need to have a degree in marketing, but it can be helpful. Their
job is to promote the athlete in many of the same ways that companies promote their
products. There are a very limited number of sports agent jobs and many people enter
the field after a lifetime spent around sports and athletes.
Sport Marketing Project Management
Companies that are heavily invested in sports marketing will have marketing managers
that focus exclusively on this type of marketing. A sports marketing project manager will
plan, design, and supervise any ad campaign that markets to sports fans.
Education/Experience
All sports marketing project managers will need to have a degree in marketing.
Experience as a former athlete or a sports fan is also important. Sports marketers need
to understand the mentality of a sports fan from personal experience.

Roles and responsibilities of Tournament Officials

The roles of the sports

official and the code of
conduct that they must
adhere to. Links to
information on the
disciplinary procedures for
your sport.

Sports officials must be able

to bring control to chaos,
understand fairness, promote safety and encourage good sportsmanship. A sports
official must have the positive characteristics of a police officer, lawyer, judge,
accountant, reporter, athlete and diplomat. They are also someone who can be put in a
position of authority and handle the responsibility without being overbearing.

Along with the rules of the game you must fully understand your role before, during and
after the game has ended.
WHAT'S EXPECTED OF YOU AS AN OFFICIAL?
Being an official is an extremely important role in any sport. Without officials giving up
their time, most sporting competitions would be unable to function. Officiating can be
challenging, and unfortunately some officials are subjected to hostile behaviour by
participants, spectators and others. They need to be able to perform their role in a
positive manner and block out the verbal comments from spectators.

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 Officials need to ensure that their approach towards officiating is in line with the aims of
the competition, for example, junior competitions are usually aimed at fun and skill
development rather than winning. Officials should be aware that their approach to
officiating can influence the participants' experience and enjoyment of the sport.

Each official becomes the 'face' of officiating at competitions. People often judge all
officials by how an individual official behaves, which means that they need to behave in
a professional and responsible way. It is important that officials present in a manner that
portrays officiating in a positive and respected manner.

Officials undertake an important role in the staging of competitions. They provide

leadership and guidance to participants, ensuring that the competition is conducted in a
safe and fair manner. Qualities such as integrity, honesty, trustworthiness and respect
are integral to the role of the official. This includes how they behave and relate to others
prior to, during and after competition, how they present themselves as an official, and
how they go about their role. Officials are responsible for their actions and attitudes.
People expect the official to be a person they can trust to control the competition.

There are a number of expectations of officials including:

 Trustworthy - honest and impartial

 Responsible - have integrity and take the role seriously
 Prepared for their role - prepared physically and mentally for the task
 Competent - have and are further developing the skills for the task
It is important to remember that the competition in which the official is officiating is the
most important competition that day to those participating in it.

The physical requirements of an official will vary from sport to sport and within a sport.
Some sports require officials to be very active (rugby, basketball, netball), while others
less so (volleyball, athletics, rowing). Adopting a healthy lifestyle will contribute to all
officials being in appropriate physical condition.

Officiating in some sports will require additional physical preparation that is appropriate
for the particular sport. The more active officiating roles require a level of physical fitness
that will allow the official to achieve correct positioning throughout the competition, make
good decisions, and officiate the competition in a non-distressed physical state.

At the end of the day, it’s all about the players and athletes. You’re there to ensure
everyone sticks to the rules and ethics of the game so everyone gets the most out of it.
It’s not about you – without the participants there would be nothing to officiate.
IMPROVING YOUR PERFORMANCE

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 A big part of improving your performance as a sports official is reflecting on your last
performance – so you know what to build on or avoid in the future. Reflecting on your
performance requires a systematic approach. Three common methods include:

1. Using a logbook or diary.

2. Recording the main calls or judgements you made during a sporting event that you
controlled.
3. Reflecting on what you did and areas for improvement. Make a plan to practise and
follow it up regularly.
MENTORS
Speak to other officials, coaches and/or players to see what they think of your
performance and what they feel your areas for improvement are. Use a mentor in a
structured way – ask them if they are willing to work with you over time to improve your
performance.
VIDEO REVIEW
Record and review your performance so you can see what others see. Look for areas of
success and for improvement and then make a plan to work through any issues raised.
POST-GAME REVIEW
Have a basic questionnaire ready to hand out to players, coaches and spectators who
you think might be able to give you honest and practical feedback. Ask them to rate your
performance from 1 to 10 using questions such as:

 How was my performance overall?

 How was my judgement and decision-making?
 How was my signalling and communication?
 Was I positioned on the field correctly?
 Were my decisions consistent?
 Did I handle conflict well?
 Did I handle external factors such as pitch conditions, weather and spectators well?
 Please provide general comments on today’s performance.
OFFICIAL'S CODE OF CONDUCT
I will:

 place the safety and welfare of players above all else

 show concern and caution towards sick and injured players
 be impartial, consistent, objective and courteous when making decisions
 accept responsibility for my actions and decisions
 condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for the individuality of players
 avoid any situations which may lead to or be construed as a conflict of interest

26 | P a g e
 be a positive role model in behaviour and personal appearance and ensure my
comments are positive and supportive
 be a good sport as I understand that actions speak louder than words
 always respect, remain loyal to and support other officials
 keep up to date with the latest ‘laws of the game’, trends and principles of their
application
 refrain from any form of personal abuse towards players or other officials
 respect the rights, dignity and worth of all people involved in the game regardless of their
gender, ability or cultural background.
I will not:

 arrive at the venue intoxicated or drink alcohol at junior matches.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
All NSOs in New Zealand and their members have an obligation to follow all of the
policies, procedures and code of conduct of that sport. Disciplinary action may result
from failure to follow the code of conduct and expectations of that sport. As a sports
official it is part of your responsibility to uphold the code of conduct for your sport and
manage the game effectively. For more serious infringements contact your NSO or club
to discuss the disciplinary process so you can fulfil your obligation as a sports official.
SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS TO SUCCESS
1. Keep your perspective: Right now your most important goal is being a good official for
whatever sport you are officiating. By studying, observing and practising you will improve,
just as the players do when they practise. Remember, it’s a game for the players. Help
them have fun.
2. Prepare for the unexpected: Take time before each game to talk with your partners
about responsibilities. Meet at least 15 minutes before the start of your game and go
over the local ground rules and any special interpretations or concerns that might exist
concerning the teams involved. Don’t leave any doubts unresolved with your partners.
3. Remember, you’re in charge: When dealing with coaches or parents who can’t control
themselves in front of the players, you do not have to 'take it' as much as officials at
other levels. There are ways to handle verbally abusive coaches, players and spectators.
See the 'Game management' learning area for more information. Remember that being
disrespectful to an official is not part of the learning curve! Remember too that you’re out
there to control the game first and foremost, and to administer it within the framework of
the rules.
4. Legal responsibilities and risk management: As an official, you have a responsibility
to ensure that all games are conducted in a safe environment. Do not let a coach
intimidate you into beginning or continuing a game when rain, fog, lightning, wet floors,

27 | P a g e
 leaking roofs or other problem conditions exist. When in doubt, use common sense and
err on the side of safety.
5. Climb the ladder at your own pace: Sports need officials. If you become a good official
with younger players and athletes there will be opportunities for you to move up the age
grades – if you want. It’s up to you just how far you want to go. Just go at a pace that
makes you comfortable.
6. Keep your focus: Remember, with each age level increase the games become more
competitive and the skill levels improve. Still, kids will be kids and mistakes of every kind
can happen. You must be able to concentrate. Know that if you’re not focused you risk
losing control of the game.
7. Humble thyself: No matter how good you think you are, you’re only as good as your
last call. Once your game is over, it’s history. You should learn from it and take those
lessons with you into the next game.

REFERENCE CARD
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/exercise-safety

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https://sportnz.org.nz/managing-sport/search-for-a-resource/guides/roles-of-officials

https://www.marketing-schools.org/types-of-marketing/sports-marketing.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=tournament+format&sxsrf=ACYBGNTLnauPkUgZ-
IZLj2lVg2YYuFZdOA:1577091414497&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjuhaiss8vmAhXL
P3AKHRZxApUQ_AUoAXoECBEQAw&biw=1366&bih=625#imgrc=t1QFc3b4arWvaM:

https://www.printyourbrackets.com/types-of-tournaments.html

http://www.savecivicstadium.org/4-different-types-of-sports-that-you-have-to-know/

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=625&tbm=isch&sxsrf=ACYBGNQ07DpW6JuTqIHvlE
9xfhr0sgBofQ%3A1576643533399&sa=1&ei=zav5XeOBGL2Nr7wPqb-
wiAU&q=swmming+sports&oq=swmming+sports&gs_l=img.3...146242.148531..148810...0.0..0.1494
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img.a1JPkLR9sTs&ved=0ahUKEwijnPvtrr7mAhW9xosBHakfDFEQ4dUDCAc&uact=5#imgrc=FqnCjVdi7
WNvJM:

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=625&tbm=isch&sxsrf=ACYBGNSGO_VadkJEi9CzRDk
Arbc0kV7qKQ%3A1576643422941&sa=1&ei=Xqv5Xe6KOc3VmAXOvpXIBg&q=running+sports&oq=ru
nning+sports&gs_l=img.3..0l10.39823.45664..45848...4.0..2.534.4158.0j8j5j3j0j1......0....1..gws-wiz-
img.....10..35i39j0i67j35i362i39j0i131j0i30j0i5i30j0i8i30j0i24.nWHrO2W_-
OU&ved=0ahUKEwjusaW5rr7mAhXNKqYKHU5fBWkQ4dUDCAc&uact=5#imgrc=BAsuqbC7LH63ZM:

https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&sxsrf=ACYBGNSsmICYMLLcga9xe-
FtGIIBemAiDA:1576643381159&q=manny+pacquiao&chips=q:manny+pacquiao,g_1:boxing:LCLoqrM
1zEs%3D&usg=AI4_-kRKSJcpxBvFWB14_dns9uj3lOU-CA&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjvja-
lrr7mAhUzK6YKHQwDAbsQ4lYILCgB&biw=1366&bih=625&dpr=1#imgrc=FUc4XkXC0pu7QM:

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=625&tbm=isch&sxsrf=ACYBGNSW6zh9WfQ001JrH
w7J1f4lfUsNVQ%3A1576643241661&sa=1&ei=qar5Xc3_J-
W3mAXclJywAg&q=volleyball+philippines&oq=volleyball+phili&gs_l=img.3.0.35i39j0l9.18225.19208.
.20649...0.0..0.291.1765.0j2j6......0....1..gws-wiz-img.......0i8i30.3tTW7IvMTB8#imgrc=e-
TwQ56gLhg6HM:

https://www.webmd.com/men/features/seven-most-common-sports-injuries

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