Ice hockey-which has been evolving for thousands of years-is not now, nor has it ever been, a sport for the timid. Armed with pounds of padding, wooden sticks, and goal-driven intensity, the players of this sport are indeed a force-a fast and often fierce force. Readers of this book will learn about the history and evolving rules of the game, how it came to be organized into leagues, and who the movers and shakers in the icy and often adrenaline-riddled...

Martial arts are extremely popular today, and teens will be captivated by the history of the fighting sports. This volume takes a look at kung fu and tai chi chuan in China; the practices of the Japanese samurai warriors as well as jujitsu, judo, sumo, and karate; and the global rise of martial arts from muay Thai in Thailand and capoeira in Brazil to the Mixed Martial Arts that are now so widespread in the United States. Legendary and contemporary...

The oldest organized sport in North America, lacrosse was first played by the Six Nations of the Iroquois and later adopted by European settlers in the nineteenth century. The game has evolved into a thrilling, fast-paced field sport enjoyed by players of all ages. In addition to the thousands of youth and college teams, professional leagues in the United States and Canada have raised the level of competition. Readers will discover the rules and levels...

When asked to define what makes a sport extreme, one practitioner-a rock climber in the countryside and a skateboarder in the city-replied, "It's a sport where you may well hurt yourself, or worse." Readers of this compelling book will learn all about these alternative, edgy sports and what it takes to parachute from an airplane, zip-line through the air, or brave the possibility of a flash flood by venturing into a canyon. Or, readers may simply...

One of the few organized team sports that can be enjoyed either indoors or against a backdrop of sun and surf on the beach, volleyball has become a beloved game around the world. International competitions have fueled volleyball's global appeal and earned the sport a dedicated fan base. Readers will learn about the history of this exciting game, how to coordinate various positions, formations, and moves for successful play, and the stories of some...

Drawing crowds for its displays of both raw athleticism and spectacular showmanship, basketball has become one of the most exciting spectator sports in the United States, as well as the world. Players renowned for their maneuverability and skill—"Air" Jordan and his classic acrobatic moves, for instance—have intensified the level of competition in professional leagues and inspired everyday fans to "shoot hoops" in friendly games. This engaging...

Discusses key people and exciting finishes involved in soccer's World Cup tournament, sharing the perspectives of various people involved in the tournaments, including a fan, player, coach, and team.

"Through narrative nonfiction text, readers learn about the World Series through the eyes of some of the most famous players, managers, fans, and officials in baseball history. Additional features to aid comprehension include a table of contents, a fast-fact section, fact-filled captions and callouts, a glossary, sources for further research, an introduction to the author, and a listing of source notes."--Publisher's website.

"Through narrative nonfiction text, readers learn about the thrilling finishes and unlikely stories behind the creation and growth of one of the most famous motorsports events in the world. Additional features to aid comprehension include a table of contents, a fast-fact section, fact-filled captions and callouts, a glossary, sources for further research, an introduction to the authors, and a listing of source notes"--Amazon.com.

Second only to the National Football League, NASCAR is insanely popular among television viewers. NASCAR is also one of the most attended single-day sporting events in the world. This title takes a close look at the history, the vehicles, the events, and the stars who make NASCAR racing unique. Complete with informative sidebars, a photo diagram, and much more. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. SportsZone is an imprint...