Basic Rules of Badminton

• Players spin a racquet or toss a coin to determine who gets serve or side.
• Men's singles and all doubles are played to 15 points, women's singles are played to 11 points, and a one-game match of any type is played to 21 points.
• Length of the game can be extended by setting when the score is tied near the end of the game. In a 15 point game, when the score is tied at 14, the set to win is three (raising the winning score to 17).
• The shuttle must be hit underhand into the service court diagonally opposite the server.
• In singles, the shuttle must land in the long, narrow court (tall and skinny). In doubles, it must land in the short, wide court (short and fat).
• In singles, when the server's score is even they must serve from the right side and when the server's score is odd they must serve from the left side.
• In doubles, once the serve has been returned, the full court is used.
• In doubles, the first serve is always started from the right court whenever a team acquires the serve from its opponents.
• The server will alternate service courts each time a point is made until the serve is lost.

Service faults

• The shuttle does not cross the net.
• The shuttle lands in the wrong court.
• The shuttle is above the server's waist when hit.
• The shuttle is hit in an overhand motion.
• The server is outside the service court.
• The server steps on the line during the serve.
• The server misses the shuttle when serving.

Receiving Faults

• The receiving player is not standing in the correct service court.
• The receiving player moves before the serve is made.

Faults that Can Be Committed During Rallies

• The shuttle falls outside the playing court.
• A player and/or partner hits the shuttle more than once before returning it over the net.
• A player touches the net with their body or racquet.
• A player reaches over the net to play the shuttle.
• Resting the shuttle on the strings or carrying the shuttle.
• A let occurs when a point does not count and must be replayed.

A let occurs when:

• Serves are taken out of turn
• Serves are taken before the receiver is ready

Court diagrams: Badminton court, formations, serving boundaries

Common Badminton Terminology

• Shuttle or bird The "ball" used for play. Shuttlecock is the full name.
• Match Usually composed of a best of 3 games
• Fault A violation of the playing laws that concludes a rally.
• Let A halting of play that results in a replay of a rally.
• Clear The high lob shot hit to the opponent's back boundary area.
• Drop The soft shot angled down just over the opponent's side of the net.
• Smash The hard hit down-angled shot.

Skill cues

Grip

• Shake hands with racket and pull the trigger. "V" w/thumb and index finger.

Serve

• Forehand grip, forward stride and knees flexed
• Take racket back waist high, cock wrist on short serves and uncock wrist on long serves
• Release shuttle on forward swing and follow through. Contact below waist.

Overhead clear

• Drop racket arm behind shoulder, cock your wrist, and weight on back foot.
• Shift weight to front foot.
• Contact in front of body with racket face open and follow through down.

Underhand clear

• Make a semicircle pattern with racket face open.
• Shift weight from back to front foot.
• Follow through high.
• Imagine your scooping ice cream

Smash

• Same cues as overhead clear. Scratch your back.
• Tighten grip and reach high. Contact shuttle in front of forward foot.
• Contact with a closed racket face and follow through.

Drop shot

• The same mechanics as overhead clear and smash.
• Contact shuttle with a square or flat racket face in front of the body.
• Slow the speed of the racket before contact.
• Follow through slightly so shuttle barely clears the net and drops in the front court.

Web site

USA Badminton www.usabadminton.org

The Intl. Badminton Federation www.intbadfed.org

Basketball Positions

• Team players include a center, two guards, and two forwards.
• The center is usually the tallest player. He or she often takes the jump ball and is responsible for rebounding the close-range shots.
• Guards are usually the best ball handlers. They advance up the court by dribbling and passing. The point guard sets up a team's offensive pattern like a quarterback.
• Forwards are responsible for shooting and rebounding missed shots.
• Extra players on the bench can substitute for the players on the court.

Basketball Rules

• The ball is put into play at the beginning of the game by a jump ball in the center circle by two opposing players.
• An offensive player may not remain in the free-throw lane (the area between the endline, free throw line, and free throw lane lines) for more than 3 seconds during play.
• If two opponents are holding the ball, or if an offensive ball handler traps a defensive player for more than 5 seconds, the ball is awarded out of bounds to the team who did not have possession last.

Violations include:

• Sending the ball out of bounds
• Double dribbling (dribbling with two hands or picking up dribble then dribbling again)
• Running with the ball
• Kicking the ball
• Interfering with the basket (goaltending)
• Stepping on the line during the throw-in
• Taking more than 5 seconds for a throw-in
• Staying in the free-throw lane for more than 3 seconds
• Keeping the ball in backcourt for more than 10 seconds

Some personal fouls include:

• Holding, pushing, tripping, or charging
• Contact with a shooting player
• Rough Play
• A player fouled while shooting is awarded 2 free throws if the shot misses or 3 free throws if missed and shot behind the 3-point line.
• If the fouled offensive player is not shooting, the team gets possession out of bounds nearest where the foul occurred.

Court Diagram

Common Basketball Terminology

• Assist A pass to a player that directly leads to a basket
• Backcourt The half of the court that is farthest from the basket for the offense
• Frontcourt The half of the court that is the closest basket for the offense
• Pivot A circular movement around one foot to change directions

Skill cues

Triple threat position

• Feet shoulder-width apart with left foot forward and right foot back for right handed and right foot forward and left foot back for left handed.
• Ball next to right hip for right handed and left hip for left handed
• From this position you can pass, dribble, or shoot

Passing

a. Chest

• Fingers on side of ball and thumbs behind ball
• Step forward and snap wrist
• Follow through with palms out and thumbs down

b. Bounce

• Hold ball similar to chest pass
• Step forward and snap wrist
• Bounce ball 1/2 to 3/4 of the distance between passer and receiver

Dribbling

• Contact with fingertips
• Dribble at waist level
• Keep the head up

Shooting

a. Lay-up

• Approach at an angle (approx. 45 degrees)
• Take off with opposite foot and drive shooting knee up
• Aim for top corner of box

b. Set shot

• Place shooting hand underneath ball and non-shooting hand to side
• Hold ball on finger tips
• Balance-Non-shooting foot forward and shooting foot back with knees bent
• Elbow in make an "L"
• Eyes on target
• Follow through with wrist snap (imagine reaching for cookie jar or a goose's neck)

Web site

National Basketball Assoc. (NBA) www.nba.com

Women's National Basketball Assoc. (WNBA) www.wnba.com

International Basketball Federation (FIBA) www.fiba.com

Basic Rules of Pickleball

• The serve must be hit underhand and each team must play the first shot off the bounce.
• The double bounce rule states that after the ball has bounced once on each side, both teams can hit the ball before it bounces.
• To volley a ball means to hit the ball without letting the ball bounce.
• No volleying is permitted within the 7-foot non-volley zone, preventing players from executing smashes from a position within this 7-foot zone on both sides of the net.
• A team scores points only when serving.
• A game is played to 11 points and a team must win by at least 2 points.
• Points are lost by hitting the ball out of bounds, hitting the ball into the net, stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying the ball, or violating the double bounce rule.

Specific Rules of Pickleball

The serve

• Players must keep one foot behind the back line when serving.
• The serve is made underhand.
• The paddle must pass below the waist.
• The server must hit the ball in the air on the serve; he or she is not allowed to bounce the ball, then hit it.
• The serve is made diagonally cross-court and must clear the non-volley zone.
• Only one serve attempt is allowed, except in the event of a "let".
• At the start of each new game, the first serving team is allowed only one fault before giving up the ball to the opponents.
• Thereafter, both members of each team will serve and fault before the ball is turned over to the opposing team.

Double-Bounce Rule

• Each team must play its first shot off the bounce.
• The receiving team must let the serve bounce, and the serving team must let the return of the serve bounce before playing it.
• After the ball has bounced once on each side, the ball can be either volleyed or played off the bounce.

Doubles Play

• If the receiving team faults, then a point is scored by the serving team.
• When the first server faults, the players will stay in the same court and the second partner will serve.
• When the serving team wins a point, the players will switch courts and the same player will continue to serve.
• When the second server faults, it is the opposing teams serve.
• Players switch courts only after scoring a point.
• A ball landing on any line is in.

Skill cues

Grip, Ready position, Forehand, and backhand similar to tennis cues

Serve

a. Lob

• Foot placement- one foot in front of baseline, other foot in back of baseline
• Toss- drop the ball then swing the paddle
• Swing- like tossing horseshoes, follow through

b. Drive

• Foot placement- one foot in front of baseline, other foot in back of baseline
• Toss- ball held waist high and out in front, wrist in cocked position
• Swing- drop the ball then swing the paddle with arm stiff
• Follow through- paddle finishes on edge, shoulder level

Volley

• Paddle held at eye level and in front of you
• Step and punch with little or no backswing
• Contact ball in center of racquet

Drop

• Slide racquet under ball
• Paddle face is open to give ball underspin

Smash

• Contact in front of body with paddle face tilted toward floor

Court diagram

Web site

U.S. Pickleball Assoc. www.usapa.org

Players

• A team generally consists of seven players, and the offensive team must have at least three players on the line of scrimmage when the ball is put into play. Any number of substitutions may be made at any time during a stoppage of play.

Scoring

• Touchdown = 6 points
• Safety = 2 Points
• Conversion after touchdown = 1 point for running and 2 points for passing

Fumbled ball

• A fumbled ball at any time is considered a dead ball and belongs to the team that committed the fumble.
• The down and point to be gained remains the same.
• A fumbled forward pass is ruled as an incomplete pass.

Downed ball

• In flag football, the ball is downed or the player is tackled when his or her flag is detached from the belt or the ball carrier loses his or her flag.
• If a player loses his or her flag when they are carrying the ball, then all the defense must do is tag the ball carrier.

First Down

• Each team has four chances to move the ball from one cone to the next.
• If a team is not successful at moving the ball from one zone to the next in four downs, the ball is awarded to the opponents on the spot where the last stoppage of play occurred.

Passing

• All players on both teams are eligible to catch passes.
• Forward passes may be thrown from any point back of the line of scrimmage.
• Lateral passes may be thrown anywhere on the field.

Field Diagram

Skill cues

Throwing

• Stand sideways
• Grip Grab top of ball like making the letter "C" and finger pads hold laces
• Step with opposite foot
• Make an "L"
• Index finger responsible for spin
• Follow through with arm next to opposite hip

Catching

a. Above the waist

• Make a triangle with thumb and index finger
• Thumbs in
• Tuck ball in

b. Below the waist

• Touch pinkies
• Thumbs out
• Tuck ball in

Blocking

• Sit on heels/sit on a chair
• Arms crossed and elbows in
• Mirror the opponent

Hiking

• Feet shoulder width and sit on heels
• One hand below the other
• Follow through with hands behind thighs

Punting

• Grab end of ball with laces up
• Point ball slightly inward and down
• Step into kick and focus on laces
• Imagine kicking a fish in the belly

Web site

Flag Football www.flagfootball.com

National Football League (NFL) www.nfl.com

Canadian Football League (CFL) www.cfl.ca

National Collegiate Athletic Assoc. (NCAA) www.ncaafootball.net

Softball Fielding Positions

• Pitcher
• Catcher
• First Base
• Second Base
• Third Base
• Short stop
• Left Fielder
• Center Fielder
• Right Fielder
• Extra Fielder (Slow Pitch)

General Rules

• Each team is allowed three outs when at bat.
• An out can occur several ways:
• A ball is caught before touching the ground
• A ground ball is caught and thrown to first base before the batter gets there
• A baserunner is not touching a base and is tagged by a fielder holding the ball
• A fielder holding a ball touches a base with a runner advancing to it, and runners are on the previous bases which is called a force out.
• A player leaves a base and does not get back before a caught fly ball is thrown to that base when the pitcher gets three strikes on the batter.
• A strike is a ball swung at and missed, a ball hit into foul territory (except on the third strike), or a ball not swung at but within the strike zone.
• Batters may also advance to first base if hit by pitched ball, or by receiving a walk (not swinging at four pitches outside the strike zone).

Batting

• Each batter gets four balls and three strikes (a ball is a pitch out of the strike zone, a strike is a pitch in the strike zone).
• The pitch must reach an arc of between 6 to 12 feet from the ground in slow-pitch softball.
• For a pitch to be called a strike, it must be between 6 to 12 feet at its peak and cross the home plate between the batter's front knee and back shoulder. Anything else will be called a ball.

Baserunning

• If the ball is caught off the bat and the baserunner has left the base they were occupying, they must return to that base before attempting to proceed. This is called tagging up.

Fielding

• When the fielding side makes three outs, the team's switch sides.
• To force a runner out at a base, the runner must be forced to the next base. For example, the batter is forced to run to first base when they hit the ball. If there is anyone on first base, he or she will be forced to second.
• If a runner is not forced to run, he or she must be tagged in order to be called out.
• The ball can be caught and an out made if the ball is hit foul.

Field Diagram

Skill cues

Throwing

• Grip Hold ball in pads of two fingers
• Make an "L"
• Step forward with opposite foot and snap wrist
• Follow through

Catching

• Reach out with hands, pull ball in
• Give with the ball and squeeze
• Watch ball go into the glove

Fielding

a. Ground ball

• Stay low and behind the ball
• Put fingers of glove in dirt
• Keep palms up and pinkies together
• Bring glove and ball towards body

b. Fly ball

• Glove out in front toward ball
• Stay behind the ball and fingers toward the sky with thumbs touching
• Give with the catch and use both hands
• See ball into glove

Hitting

a. Stance

• Sideways and slightly wider than shoulder width
• Weight on balls of feet with more on back leg

b. Arm Swing

• Think shoulder to shoulder (start swing with chin on front shoulder, then finish swing with chin on back shoulder)

c. Hip rotation

• Rotate back hip at pitcher
• Drive body through the ball

d. Focus of eyes

• Hit the middle of the ball
• Watch ball into catcher's mitt

e. Step

• Step 3 to 6 inches
• "Step to hit"

f. Follow Through

• Top hands roll over bottom hand
• Bat goes all around the body

Common Softball Terminology

• Base on balls Being awarded the right to go to first base after being pitched four balls (also known as a walk)
• Batter's box The area within which a batter must stand when hitting the ball
• Batting order The order in which individuals on a team are scheduled to bat
• Double play Making two outs in one continuous play
• Error A mistake in fielding, throwing, or catching made by the fielding team
• Force-out An out made at a base when the baserunner need not be tagged
• Strike zone Slow pitch: The area over the plate that is between the batter's highest shoulder and the knees
• Tag up To return to a base after taking a leadoff or starting to advance to the next base

Web Site

USA Softball www.usasoftball.com

Serving

• The server delivers the ball from behind the base line.
• Two tries are permitted for each service.

Play

• If a player hits the ball before it touches the ground and is standing outside the court, the ball is still in play.
• A ball landing on the base line, sideline, or service line is in.
• The ball is in if it hits the top of the net and goes into the proper playing areas.
• A player must let the service ball bounce before it is hit.
• A player may not reach across the net to hit the ball, but may follow-through across the net.

Scoring

• Scoring is identical in singles and doubles games.
• Tennis matches are scored in points, games, and sets.
• The server's score is always called first.
• The server continues the service during the entire game.
• A player wins a point when his or her opponent makes a fault.
• A fault occurs when:
• A player hits two serves out or into the net which is called a double fault.
• A player hits the ball into the net during a rally.
• A player hits the ball out of the court lines.

Points

• No point = Love
• First point = 15
• Second point = 30
• Third point = 40
• Fourth point = Game
• Deuce = Each side has 3 points or 40 all. One side must have two consecutive points after deuce to win a game.
• Advantage = The first point after deuce.
• If the server wins the first point after deuce, the score is called advantage server or add-in.
• If the receiver wins the first point after deuce, it is called advantage receiver or add-out.
• A set in tennis is the player who wins 6 games and is ahead by 2 games. Exceptions are when the games are tied at 6-6 each, and players play a 12-point tie-breaker. The set is scored 7-6 for the winner. A match in tennis is 2 out of 3 sets for women and 3 out of 5 sets for men.

How a Player Loses a Point

• A player's racquet or clothing touches the net during a rally or point.
• He or she hits the ball on the second bounce while trying to get it over the net.
• The ball touches the player or his or her clothing during a rally before it bounces.
• The player plays the ball before it passes over the net.
• The player fails to hit the ball after the first bounce.
• The player fails to hit the ball into the proper playing area.

Court Diagram

Common Tennis Terminology

• Let A serve that hits the top of the net but lands in the correct service area.
• Ace A serve that is good and is not returned by the receiver.

Skill cues

Grip

• Shake hands with racket. "V" w/thumb and index finger.

Ready position

• Feet shoulder-width, knees bent.
• Stand on balls of feet, hands in front and racquet up

Forehand stroke

• Turn and face towards sideline
• Racquet back to hip
• Wait for ball to drop to hip height
• Look at ball, read it as it comes to you
• Finish racquet on edge

Backhand stroke

• Turn and face toward sideline
• Grip-turn racquet clockwise
• Contact made in front of right hip for right-handers and left for left-handers
• Wait for ball to drop to knee height and swing through the ball

Volley

• In ready position, step and punch
• Hand below ball
• Shoulders face net with wrist and grip firm
• Racquet never goes behind front shoulder

Serve

a. Toss

• Hold ball at shoulder level
• Toss ball 1 foot above release position
• Extend arm fully

b. Execution

• Reach for ball
• Snap wrist
• Follow through with racquet finishing by opposite calf

Web sites

United States Tennis Assoc. www.usta.com

Assoc. of Tennis Professionals www.ATPtennis.com

Women's Tennis Assoc. www.wtatour.com

International Tennis Federation www.itftennis.com/fl_index.html

Rules for High Jump

• The high jumper is permitted three attempts to clear each height.
• Most jumpers use the style known as the "Fosbury flop."
• The Fosbury flop was named for its originator, American jumper Dick Fosbury, who used the style to win the high jump in the 1968 Olympics.
• Jumpers may not:
• Take off from both feet.
• Dislodge the bar from its pegs.
• Touch the landing area beyond the plane of the uprights without clearing the bar.

Skill cues for High Jump

• Start even with standards and "J" approach
• Take off outside foot and drive inside knee up
• Swing arms up, arch back, and kick feet up

Rules for Relays

• Each equal distgance is called a leg that is run by one of four teammates, the last of whom is called the anchor.
• The most explosive runner should be the starter of the race.
• The baton is passed in the exchange zone (20 meters) only.

Skill cues for blind handoff underhand

• Receiver's arm position- slam door behind you and make a target
• Passer's arm position- hit receiver's palm with underhand delivery
• The reciever should start a slow jog and should be at full speed when handoff takes place.
• The passer should say go, hit, or other cue to tell receiver to start jogging.

Rules for Long Jump

• One foot take-off
• May not step over the take-off board
• Two foot landing
• Best of three jumps
• Exit to the rear of pit

Skill cues for Long Jump

• Start w/takeoff foot and use 12-18 strides
• Last two steps: long then short and drive up knee and opposite arm
• Arch back like a "C" then close with hands touching feet
• Fall forward and exit rear of pit

Rules for Shot Put

• Must put not throw
• Shot may not pass behind the shoulder
• Body may not pass the "toe board" or ring
• Best of three trials

Skill cues for Shot Put

• Hold shot on finger pads
• Face opposite direction of throw
• Start and explosion of glide = step, glide, step, glide, step, release (swing hips like a baseball swing). Finish with back foot in front and front foot in back
• Release shot from the neck, put not throw

Skill cues for Discus

• Holding the disc- carry a textbook (relax fingertips on edge of discus)
• The wind- twist and shout (keep body wound up until throw then swing hips like a baseball swing)
• Release- bowl the discus

Skill cues for Hurdles

• Lead leg straight or slightly bent
• Reach for lead leg with opposite lead hand and drive trail elbow back
• Trail leg- lead with knee and hips parallel to hurdle
• Stand tall when foot touches ground

Skill cues for Sprinting

• Stand tall
• Hammer nails behind you (don't swing arms in front)
• Heels to buttocks
• Run on balls of feet

Web site

USA Track and Field www.usatrackandfield.org

Volleyball Player Rotation

• Players rotate in a clockwise position.
• Net height: 7'4 1/4"(F) 7'11 5/8"(M)
• Position of players in order of the serve:
• Right Back
• Right Front
• Center Front
• Left Front
• Left Back
• Center Back

• Position of players at net:

  LF CF RF

  LB CB RB

Basic Rules of Volleyball

• Each team has three hits to attempt to return the ball.
• The volley continues until the ball hits the playing court, goes out of bounds, or a team fails to return it properly.
• When the serving team wins a volley, it wins a point and the right to continue serving.
• During the rally a player may not hit the ball twice in a row.

Fouls

• A player touches the net with any part of the body or hands, or reaches over the net.

Errors

• A player hits the ball out of the boundaries of the court.

Scoring

• Every time a team wins a rally they are given a point.
• When the serving team fails to score, it is side out and the receiving team becomes the serving team.
• The game is played to 25 points and you must win by two points.

Court diagram

Common Volleyball Terminology

• Ace Serve that results directly in a point.
• Dig Passing a spiked or powerfully hit ball.
• Match Winning 2 out of 3 games or 3 out of 5 games
• Pancake When player extends hand, palm down on floor, so that ball bounces off the back of the hand.
• Side out When the receiving team wins the rally
• Spike A hard overhand hit with one hand over the net
• Foot fault Stepping completely over center line or stepping on or over baseline on the serve
• Set A two-handed pass above waist level
• Bump/Forearm pass A two-handed underarm pass below waist level

Skill cues

Serve

a. Underhand

• Step forward with opposite foot
• Swing arm straight back
• Contact at heel of hand
• Follow through

b. Overhand

• Step forward with opposite foot
• Swing arm back and make a "L"
• Contact with open hand at palm
• Follow through

Bump

• Ready position with hands on table
• Contact with a flat platform
• Shoulders pointed at target
• Follow through (don't swing arms above shoulders)

Set

• Hands above head
• Index and thumb form a triangle
• Extend arms and legs
• Line right shoulder parallel to net

Spike

• Approach for Right handed- Left, Right, Left, Feet together
• Approach for Left handed- Right, Left, Right, Feet together,
• Arm Motion Swing both arms up and take spike arm back (think bow and arrow)
• Contact with open hand and snap wrist
• Follow through

Web site

USA Volleyball www.usavolleyball.org

Federation de Intl. De Volleyball (FIVB) www.fivb.ch

US Professional Volleyball (USPV) www.uspv.com

Pro Beach Volleyball www.avp.com

General Rules

• Handball is a fast-paced game involving two teams of seven players who pass, throw, catch, and dribble a small ball with their hands while trying to score goals.
• The game starts with a throw-off, where a player stands with one foot on the center line and throws the ball to a teammate behind the line, signaling that each team may move into its opponent's side of the court.
• The throw-off is the method of starting play after every goal, as well as the start of the second half.
• Only the goalkeeper may enter the goal area.
• Players may use any part of their bodies except their lower legs and feet to stop, hit, catch, or throw the ball.
• They may not touch the ball twice in a row unless dribbling it, fumbling it, or passing it from one hand to the other, meaning, in effect, they may not throw it to themselves.
• Players can hold the ball for only three seconds before passing, dribbling, or shooting.
• Players may take only three steps after catching the ball. If players dribble, they may only take another three steps.

Fouls and Penalties

• A free throw is awarded for playing the ball illegally.
• Free throws are the right to play the ball without interference. The person with the free throw may try to shoot instead of pass.
• A player takes the free throw on the spot where the offense occurred, unless it occurred inside the free-throw line.
• A penalty throw is awarded for illegal interference by a defender that prevents a shot at goal, or a defender playing the ball back into the goal area and the goal-keeper touching it.

Throw-ins, Goal Throws, and Corner Throws

• If a ball that was last touched by an offensive player of the defending goalkeeper goes over the back line, the goalkeeper is awarded a goal throw-out to a teammate.
• If a defender touched it last, the attacking team gets a corner throw.

Additional rules

• Goalkeepers may defend the goal with any part of their bodies, including their feet.
• All lines on the court are considered in play.

Court diagram

Skill cue for Jump shot and Goalie

Web site Web site address

USA Team Handball www.teamhandball.org

Street hockey is a game similar to ice hockey except it is played on a basketball court. Many skills are developed and used in street hockey. Hand and eye coordination is one of the most important. Teamwork is very important in this game. It is extremely important to develop the passing coordination between team members if your team is going to be successful.

Team

Two teams of six players each play the game. These players are two stationary forwards, two stationary guards, a center forward, and a goalie. The forwards must stay in their offensive half of the court (the half of the court containing the goal they are trying to hit into). The guards must stay in the defensive half of the court (the half of the court they are protecting). The center may play on both halves of the court (offense and defense). The goalie should play in front of the goal he/she is protecting. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed in the goal area.

Play

The game begins with a "bully." A bully is two opponents facing each other in the center of the court with the puck on the ground between their sticks. They each hit the ground and each other's sticks, alternately, three times.

Goal

A goal is scored when a player hits, sweeps, or pushes the puck into the goal. If the puck bounces off of a teammate or opponent into the goal, it counts. The puck may bounce off a player's feet, but no one is allowed to kick it through the goal. Each goal counts as one point.

Goalie

Only the goalie is allowed to catch the puck. When the goalie catches or stops the puck, he/she must be given room to hit it to a teammate. He/she may leave the goal box to hit the puck.

Out of bounds

If the puck goes over the endline and is touched last by the attacking team, it is a free shot by the goalie from within his goalie box. If the defending team touches the puck last, it is put into play from the corner by the attacking team. If the puck goes across one of the sidelines, the other team puts it into play with a pass from the spot where it went out of bounds.

Halftime

When half the period is over, a half-time will be declared. The two teams will change ends of the court. Any player that was a defensive player or goalie must become an offensive player or center. Any offensive player or center must become a defensive player or goalie. Any team not complying with this rule will forfeit the game.

Rules and penalties

• A free hit is taken on the spot where the foul occurred.
• A player other than the goalie, catches, throws or carries the puck.
• A player raises the head of the stick above the waist on a backswing or follow-through called high stick. Repeated "high sticks" will mean five minutes in the penalty box.
• A player charges, elbows, hacks at the puck, pushes, trips, or hooks another player's stick.

Common Hockey Terminology

• Crease Area in front of goaltender
• Hat trick Scoring three or more goals in one game
• Power play Occurs when a team has a one or two person advantage because of opponent's penalties.
• Save A shot blocked by the goaltender
• Slapshot Hitting the puck with the blade of the stick after a full backswing

Web site

National Hockey League www.nhl.com

Breathing

• breathe out: below the surface
• breathe in: above the surface

Sculling

• sweep up & out, then sweep down & in
• change the angle of the hands

Skill cues for elementary backstroke

a. kick (whip kick)

• bend & separate knees about hip-width
• heels down
• rotate feet out
• whip legs together

b. stroke

• Chicken hands slide along the sides until the armpit
• Airplane point fingers out, then extend arms out
• Soldier press palms and arms toward feet

c. breathing

• Inhale when arms are at side
• Exhale when pressing arms toward feet

Skill cues for freestyle (front crawl)

a. kick

• flutter
• boiling action with water
• lateral

b. stroke

• hand pitched out entering in front of shoulders
• elbow high
• S-shape pattern: up & out, down & in, down & back

c. breathing

• roll the body to breathe

Skill cues for breastroke

a. kick (see elementary backstroke)

b. stroke

• from glide position:
• outsweep with palms out
• insweep with elbows in toward the chest
• shoot hands forward and extend arms to glide

Pattern is Breathe, Kick, Glide

Skill cues for sidestroke

a. kick

• scissors kick: similar to kick when treading water

b. stroke

• top hand: bring toward the chest with palm out then thrust foward
• bottom hand: bring in front of shoulder with palm down then push backward

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