Lost Indian Sports You Should Know About

Sports have been an integral element of every culture since time unknown. Disinterested from building a settled civilization, people in India felt the need to set aside leisure time for playing sports. Traces of Ancient Indian games showcase that they were innovative, fun and required complete involvement.

In the Indus Valley civilization, people contested with weapons like the toran (javelin), bow and arrow, and the chakra(discus). Besides these outdoor games, we always had a craze for the indoor, and how to we know this? Historians have found traces of primitive board games etched on the walls of caves and temples and discovered dices and counters at sites like Harappa. Ancient Indian texts also incorporate references to different sports.

Over the years, we have lost touch with our majestic sporting culture, and even though we are heading towards a brighter future for sports, some have been lost over the ages. Here are some of the prominent games that left an impression on our history:

Night Polo in the Mughal period

The history of polo in India can be traced to Manipuri villages, where the tribals enjoyed a game called pulu. Although Zahir ud-din Babur was the first Mughal Emperor to establish Chaugan, night polo was an invention of Jalal ud-din Akbar, who created a set of rules and introduced an illuminating ball for late-night matches. The sport nearly died with the end of the Mughal dominion.

Kalaripayattu

Kalaripayattu, also known as Kalari, is an ancient form of martial arts that holds its root in Kerala. The word Kalari appears in various Hindu texts to describe a battlefield and combat arena. Owing to its long-standing history, it has a distinguished place for martial artists. Traditionally, this game includes two forms: the northern style or Vadakkan Kalari, and the southern style or Thekkan Kalari. Over time, a new pattern has also gained recognition, called the primary method or Madhya Kalari, which aims at combing the elements of both styles.

Kushti

Kushti, also called Pehalwani, refers to wrestling contested in Ancient India. It developed during the Mughal era by combining the techniques of Persian koshti pahlevani and native Indian Malla-yuddha. The origin of this sport dates back to the 5th century BC, where it was popularly known as Malla-yuddha, meaning combat wrestling.

Atya Patya

Atya Patya often described as the “game of feints,” is played between two teams, with nine members on either side. It is a popular sport in India, especially Maharashtra. It gained national importance after the formation of the ‘Atya Patya Federation of India’ in 1982. The Government of India listed the federation amongst its list of recognized organizations for the year 2013.

Yubi Lakpi

Yubi Lapki, which translates to coconut snatching, is an individual contact sport that requires coconut. It is an ancient Indian game that originated in Manipur. It is a traditional football game that holds notable similarities to the tournament of rugby, but the two are not related.

Before each game, players rub their bodies with oil to make it slippery for the fame, and a ball soaked in oil is placed before the king. To score a goal, the player has to approach the goal post and cross the line from the front with his oiled coconut.

Kambala

Kambala is an annual buffalo race held in Karnataka, during the Kambala season that begins from November and lasts till March. It started as a traditional sport to entertain the rural public by whiplashing buffalos on a slushy paddy field. The buffalos are adorned with colorful jewels and elegant headpieces of brass and silver.

Jallikattu

Jallikattu is a folkloric bull-chasing sport practiced in Tamil Nadu, organized during the harvest season of Pongal. It is almost two millennia old. In the ancient period, it was popularly known as Yeru Thazhuvuthal. The participants hold on to the hump of the bull for a particular time and grab their horns to achieve authority.

Insuknawr

Insuknawr is a Rod Pushing Sport of indigenous Mizoram. The Mizo community developed multiple games to break their tiresome routine of shifting cultivation; this was one among them. This game requires two players, who hold the rod under their arms while trying to push their opponent out of the ring.

Dhopkhel

Dhopkhel was organized in the state of Assam during its annual festival, Rangoli Bihu. This sport requires two teams, where Dhop, a ball, is tossed by the player in a fashion that it lands in the opponents’ court. It is similar to modern-day Throw ball, and at times there are parallels drawn with Kabbadi.

Pachisi

Pachisi, which translates to twenty-five, is a cross and circle game that originated in Medieval India. It requires a board that resembles a symmetrical cross. The player’s pieces move around the board following the throw of the six or seven cowrie shells, with the number of shells resting with gap upwards designating the number of spaces to move.

Chaupad

Chaupad or chausar has existed in India for most of the past two millennia. This game features a cross-shape board, where four players contest in two teams, and each player owns four pieces. It shares significant similarities with pachisi and modern-day ludo.

Chaturanga

Chaturanga referred to as the predecessor of modern-day chess, is a strategy game that originated in India during the 4th century BC. The exact rules of the game are unknown, but historians believe that it was similar to its predecessor, Shatranj. It was played on an 8×8 uncheckered box, with pieces similar to chess.

Achugwi Phan Sohlaimung

It is a wrestling tournament held between two men to test their strength in the state of Tripura. It is also known as Thwngmung in the Tripuri language(Kokborok). But, in recent years, people are abandoning such sports as they are exposed to modern sporting culture.

Inbuan

Inbuan is another form of wrestling that originated in Mizoram during the early 1700s. It involves strict rules that prohibit kicking, stepping out of the circle, or even bending knees.

Over the years, modern culture has taken over our age-old tradition, not just in terms of sports, but also in our lifestyle. Let’s take a step back and rejuvenate these games that have entertained our ancestors for centuries together.

Smart Work, not Hard Work – 12 Ways to Study Better

Every sportsperson faces difficulty in balancing their sports training and academic endeavors. Every student has the same number of hours in a day, but how they use it matters. They can either spend hours together, attempting to comprehend the syllabus or adapt new study methods that can assist them in reducing the hard work, and focus our energy on developing other skills.

Every person has a different way of retaining information; what helped one might not serve another, and it’s crucial to develop your way to learn. Computing the most efficient way to study is a never-ending process; one can always discover new techniques for improving our approach towards learning.

So here are a couple of tips that can help you study better.

1. What is ‘Your’ learning style?

Like stated earlier, everyone has a different way of grasping information, and it can be divided broadly into four categories:

● Visual learners: they learn more efficiently by seeing, it can be through diagrams, color-codes, videos, and patterns.
● Auditory learners – they learn best by listening. Now this includes speeches, music, rhyme, and additional sounds.
● Reading/writing learners: they learn by reading and writing relevant information down.
● Kinesthetic learner: they enjoy learning by actually doing it, like role-playing, building blocks, drawing, and making flashcards. For them, it is mandatory to put abstract data into practice.

Discover and implement your learning style in daily practice. If you’re a visual learner, then watch videos online, if you’re an auditory learner, listen to classes, songs, and other forms of sounds.

2. Silence isn’t always the key

In contrary to popular opinion, silence doesn’t work for everyone, so figure out which noise environment works well for you. Listening to music enhances concentration for some, while for others, it might be a disturbance. The point is, silence can be as distracting as a background buzz, so choose a place that suits you the best.

3. Change your scenery

Psychologists suggest that a change in scenery can intensify your concentration and retention levels, and it can also help your brain build various associations with particular study material. Now, this change in scenery can range from a switch in the room, to advancing a step ahead and picking an outdoor location.

4. Break the digital, print is the way to go!

You are more likely to forget what you read on your laptop or phone than what you learn from a book. Moreover, a study has claimed that students who take notes on their laptops tend to know less efficiently in contrast to the ones who write it by hand. Now, this is not just because of the online distraction but also because, when you register, your mind processes the information better. So, lose the screen, take notes manually, and get those online articles printed!

5. Studying is not just read

Reading is not the same as studying, since it does not include the active engagement of the participant. Reading and re-reading will not help you remember; it is necessary to make sense of the text and actively involve in the process. Here the question is, how do we formulate a method to study? This is possible by generating a concept map, making and understanding diagrams, develop examples that you are familiar with, try connecting concepts with real-life situations.

6. Stick to a schedule

Making a schedule can help you concentrate and urge you to study regularly. Sit down and make a list of your daily goals, it will motivate you to finish your work on time, and you won’t miss out on assignments.

7. Is multitasking a good idea?

Multitasking is a myth. Researches suggest that multitasking reduces your efficiency and leads to a negative impact on your work. You might think you’re doing a great job at it, but the truth is you’re developing harmful study habits that will affect you in the long run. Always stick to one work at a time and give it your 100%.

8. Getting into the zone

Some people need a medium to get into the ‘study zone.’ It can be music, art, or any other form of activity that calms your mind down and increases your concentration level. Find what works for you and implement it whenever you find it difficult to focus.

9. Take regular breaks

The average concentration span of most people is about 50 minutes in a go, but that’s just an average; your attention span might be as less as 20 minutes or more than an hour, identify yours and take breaks accordingly. Short sessions can help retain more information accurately than stuffing yourself with everything at once.

10. Snooze away the alarm

Pulling off all-nighters is the new trend, but is it a healthy one? Sleep is as vital as food for a human body, so never underestimate the power of a sound slumber. Sleep at least 8 hours to be more alert and focused while working. It will help you convert short-term memory to long-term, and you will learn better.

11. Break the monotone: study multiple subjects

Sticking to one subject and deep-diving into it is not an excellent idea, you might feel burned-out, and lose enthusiasm for that matter. Always juggle between topics rather than zeroing to one.

12. Become the teacher

The job of a teacher is to learn the subject matter and further explain it to the students, and when one does that they gain a clear understanding of the topic in hand. Besides that, they will also reach out to learn new techniques for recalling when expected to teach.

The aim is to study smart, not to study hard! Efficient learning is a skill that will benefit you for life. We understand the pressure students face while studying and focusing on other fields at once, so follow these tips for a better learning experience, without compromising on your dreams.

Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle for a Sportsperson

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we look at our fitness and the means of achieving our desired results. While working out has always been a priority, the importance of a healthy lifestyle and nutritious diet can not be neglected. Although there is no standard diet that can be beneficial to one and all, we can always improve on our existing food habits and lifestyle.

What is Sports Nutrition?

Sports nutrition is nothing but the right form of intake that will optimize the athletic performance of a person. This concept emerged in the early 1940s among bodybuilders as a way for them to gain the right kind of nutrients in the handiest form possible. Slowly, it gained recognition among people from all walks of life as a way to fuse an invigorating diet into their lives. However, the kind of nutrients that will benefit a person depends on their need, profession, and goals. For example, a professional tennis player usually needs plenty of carbohydrates for refueling; on the other hand, a professional bodybuilder needs a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in their diet. The right kind of nutrients can improve performance, keep athletes hydrated for long, and raise their recovery rate.

Nutrition and a Healthy Lifestyle

Consuming the right nutrients is the first step to a healthy lifestyle. Not only sports enthusiasts, but everyone needs a diet plan that can help them push their limits for good. A fulfilling diet clubbed with physical activity can help in reducing the chances of chronic disease, achieving a healthy body, and leading an active life. As far as athletes are concerned, making the right food choices becomes all the more necessary because they need more calories compared to an average adult.

Not only is the type of nutrients a significant factor, but the number of times we eat in a day also matters. Now, this depends upon the calories we burn, the kind of workout we follow, and the sport we play. For a sports person, the meals consumed before and after a session are the most important meals of the day. Ideally, athletes should eat two hours before their workout.

Impact of a Well-Planned Diet on an Athlete’s Health

A nourishing diet can enhance an athlete’s performance, make them more efficient, and increase their recovery rate during a match rapidly. The intake they follow should promote muscle growth and repair.

An inadequate diet can hamper their performance and lead to an increased recovery rate. It can also lead to hormone suppression because sports generate a lot of stress hormones, and encourage your body to release energy stores.

What Does a Fulfilling Meal Include?

Requirements of every person vary based on their body type, physical activities, and calories burned in a day. The general rule is to replace the number of calories burned and provide sufficient fuel for the body to function. On an average basis, a person needs 1,500 – 2,000 calories in a day, but athletes should consume 500 to 1,000 additional calories, attributing to their demanding profession.

A balanced diet should include all the essential nutrients that are required for everyday activities. These nutrients are:

Carbohydrates – These are considered to be the most significant source of calories in your meal. There are mainly two types of carbs; simple and starchy/complex sugars. Milk products, fruits, and vegetables are a good source of simple sugars. These can be used to provide instant energy to the body since they are easier to break down. Complex sugars can be found in grains like rice, bread, pasta, and white flour. But processed, refined grains like white flour are not recommended as they remove fiber and nutrients.

Fats – Fats are an essential part of any meal. They are required to absorb nutrients and act as a critical fuel for your body. But excessive fat consumption can be harmful as the body needs to work harder to burn fats compared to carbs, and it tends to make you slow. There are mainly two types of fats: Saturated and Unsaturated fats. Animal products and processed food is a rich source of saturated fats, whereas olives, nuts, and avocados provide unsaturated fats. Nutritionists advise the consumption of unsaturated fats, as they are heart-healthy.

Proteins – Proteins are essential for cell repair and building of tissues. It is also required to create enzymes, hormones, and other chemicals in the body. Ideally, they should make up for 10-15% of your daily calorie consumption. Meat, fish, eggs, pulses, nuts, seeds, and soy products are a rich source for proteins.
Dangers of following a rigid diet plan

Strict diet plans can have adverse effects on athletes’ bodies. Since they need a diet rich in all forms of nutrients, a restrictive diet can damage their health. A rigid diet plan can also lead to eating disorders, produce severe stress on our bodies, and become an obsession for many. In the chase to eat healthily, we might end up avoiding the nutritious food needed for our growth.

Instead of following a diet plan, one can always set a balance between calorie intake and physical activity for the desired outcome. It is a much healthier and safe practice since your body will receive all the nutrients it demands.

Staying healthy is the goal, not meeting the societal standards! Following a diet that works for you and benefits you the most is the final objective. Always listen to your body; it will show you the right path.

At Sports School, we understand the importance of healthy eating habits and a good lifestyle for a sportsperson to perform at their best. We have partnered with nutrition experts who regularly monitor and provide diet plans for our students as per their activity level to ensure that they consume the right amount of nutrients and fluids for all-round nourishment and scale up their performance.

Dealing with Pre-Competition Anxiety

Athletes often find themselves in a tight spot right before a big game, and that is human nature. But, when these episodes of nervousness and anxiety are not managed efficiently, they take a toll on the game.

Pre-competition anxiety is an uneasy feeling, usually, tension and low concentration that an athlete experiences before an event. It is characterized by sweaty palms, sleep disturbance, agitation, and in some cases, a loss of appetite.

Anxiety is broadly classified into two types:

● Trait anxiety: This is a chronic condition in which anxiety is a part of that person’s personality.
● State anxiety: This is a temporary feeling of anxiety, which occurs due to an event or state.

Sportspersons usually suffer from state anxiety that occurs before a match, since they are put under a great deal of pressure, not only to win but also to be the best. This condition slowly leads to competitive state anxiety.

The unpredictability around sports is the major contributor to athletes’ anxiety and nervousness. It can be about the outcome of a particular match, their performance, and their opponents’ capabilities.

The magnitude of a match also plays a huge role. More significant the game, the higher the expectation, and hence, the higher the level of anxiety. From not being in form for a particular match to an entire season, anxiety can hamper an athlete’s career. All these factors hinder their performance, and they end up paying a hefty price.

So how to deal with such kind of pressure and not fall prey to anxiety?

Games can be very demanding, and it becomes crucial to channel your energy in your favor. To do so, athletes practice stress bursting techniques, and we’ve listed some of them here:

1. Mindful visualization

Many athletes practice visualization to enhance their performance and manage stress. For this method to work, close your eyes, and concentrate on your breathing. Now imagine that you are competing against your opponent in a match, and create a winning situation. If you still feel tense, concentrate on your breathing, and calm your nerves down.

2. Relaxation techniques

A focused and calm mind always works in favor of an athlete. Some of the standard relaxation techniques are:

  • Five breath technique: This a simple yet effective method to control stress right before a match. This requires you to breathe deeply and evenly from your nose and exhale from your mouth. With the first breath, let your face and neck relax. With the second one, ease out your shoulders and arms. By the third breath, allow your chest, gut, and back to unwind, and with the final one, relax your whole body.
  • Centering: This technique is called centering as it concerns itself with the center of your body. Firmly fix your feet on the ground, and make sure they’re shoulder-width apart. Close your eyes and breath deeply. While inhaling, notice that a certain tension is created in your upper body, and it becomes much calmer with exhaling. Continue breathing heavily and concentrate your attention on the area immediately behind your naval. To make this process more efficient, emphasize the words that encapsulate the feelings and focus you desire.
  • Progressive Muscle Relaxation: This technique has been proven extremely effective if you’re suffering from a social anxiety disorder. For this to work, find a calm place to lie down or sit in a chair. Ease out your muscles and close your eyes. Now, with each breath, concentrate on a set of muscles and let the rest of your body relax. While inhaling, tense those muscles for 5-10 seconds and loosen up as you exhale. Progressive muscle relaxation works wonders in games with breaks such as tennis, football, and basketball.
  • Yoga and meditation: Yoga and meditation can be remarkably helpful for stress management and dealing with anxiety. Practicing it daily can be beneficial for your physical and as well as your mental health. It can channel how a person reacts to stress and pressure and helps them work on their concentration.

3. Cognitive reconstruction

Cognitive reconstruction is a psychotherapeutic process that helps people identify and change their negative thinking patterns. It can help them reconstruct their views on competition and function more efficiently when it comes to pre-competition anxiety.

4. Focus on What is in Your Hands

We often try to control external factors and forget to focus on what is under our control. It is essential to work towards improving things we have a command on and learn the art of letting go. Every game has something in it for us. You either win, or you learn. Your attitude towards a specific situation helps you deal with it more carefully.

Our mind is our greatest weapon; it is up to us how we train it. If we understand its power, it can do wonders in our favor.

CBSE or PUC? Which is Better?

If you are a student who has just completed Class 10th, especially in Karnataka, it’s given that you’ve been or are going to pass through this dilemma where you must pick one between CBSE and PUC. For the longest time, we have heard how ‘crucial’ these two years are, and how our judgment today will mold our future. Hence, there is additional pressure while selecting a suitable board for Grade 11th and 12th.

The question isn’t which board is superior; the question is – which board will serve your purpose? There are several different opinions floating out there about how one exceeds the other – it can be in terms of subjects, combinations available, depth of their prescribed syllabus, etc. Still, the first step towards this process is understanding what will work best for us more than anything else. Let’s look at the two in a little more detail:

CBSE – Central Board of Secondary Education is a national level board of education controlled by the Union Government of India. This board revises its syllabus with the required changes to benefit students and conducts board exams for 10th and 12th standard students. 

PUC – Pre-University Course is an intermediate course conducted by the state education board in India. It is a substitute for 11th and 12th standards under national-level boards. Every state has a different syllabus and exam pattern. 

How do you know which one will work for you? Make an informed decision, list down your interests, and final goals, instead of resorting to what parents or friends select. So, ask yourself these questions:

What is your academic objective?

If you wish to take up coaching for entrance exams besides your schooling, then PUC is meant for you. The academic load is comparatively less, and hence it gives you enough time to concentrate on classes. Along with the PUC syllabus, many colleges facilitate students with integrated courses, which is not an alternative in CBSE. While appearing for CET (Common Entrance Test), it shoots up your percentage because it is simpler to score. 

On the other hand, if you aspire to crack exams solely with the syllabus in hand from your board, CBSE works in your favor. It comes with a relative structure in terms of competitive exams; it is your bible for every test and provides you with a strong academic base. 

However, if you crave a profession beyond the regular medical and engineering, then this can be a confusing process for you. The structure of CBSE is more inclusive than PUC and opens up a variety of options for you; this proves to be worthwhile if you are still uncertain about the degree you want to pursue. Whereas PUC can be a better alternative if you have a goal set in your mind. It provides you with numerous combinations, and you can opt for subjects of your interest, which is unavailable in CBSE. 

Is your goal beyond academics?

Do you aim to be a sportsperson who is at the top of their game or part of the industries like entertainment or fashion? Then PUC aids your cause. Attributing to the relaxed syllabus and a more comfortable choice of subjects, PUC will permit you to dedicate yourself to your goal. On the contrary, CBSE demands commitment and makes it arduous for the students to focus on additional fields of interest. 

When the elders say that these years determine where you go, they aren’t entirely wrong. Therefore, never underestimate the significance of choosing the right alternative.

We at The Sports School understand you and your passion. Along with the best academic experience, we aim to strike a complete balance with professional sports training and elite academic prospects on the same campus. From Grade 1 to 10 and Grade 11 and 12, we are affiliated with CBSE and the Department of Pre-University, respectively. We of We also aid sports aspirants and assist them in their journey towards a better future along with a certified degree in the course of their choice. So, be a part of our family if you are determined to seize an athlete’s limelight. 

 

Why Marks Don’t Matter to Build a Successful Career

In our society, children are brought up with the mindset that they must score high marks in order to succeed in life. Each parent has expectations that their kid will excel in his/her career, and at the base of those expectations are, according to many, scoring high marks. 

From childhood to 12th-grade board exams, kids have heard from teachers, parents, and media that they must work hard, and score above 90%. But the question is, does that guarantee a successful career? Are companies looking at your marks? 

While a good score in school might help you attend a good college, it still does not guarantee a successful career. What matters is what students do with the opportunities they are given and how they develop their skills. A student may cram and score in their final exams of school, but employers will always look at a person’s abilities rather than their marks when it comes to the real world. The way scores are evaluated in the current times is more often than not a reflection of the student’s ability to learn large amounts of text. They demonstrate subjective knowledge of a particular domain, and may or may not be evidence of an aptitude for the subject or the field. 

This is precisely why many college admission boards and companies have adopted aptitude based entrances, scrapping the practice of relying on marks as a sole indicator of a student’s potential. They take aptitude, general awareness, and softer aspects like communication skills and team coordination into account to gain a holistic picture of the student’s capabilities.

What are employers on the lookout for? 

  • Skills- The first thing that is essential to succeed in any career is your skillset. This can be developed through theoretical knowledge and on-the-job practical training. 
  • Learning Capacity- The corporate world is for hustlers, and of course, eagerness to continually learn is a crucial ability needed and desired. 
  • Communication Skills- Whether it is to talk to customers, clients, or heads of the company, communication skills are incredibly essential for anyone looking to have a successful career.
  • Ownership- You should be able to do your work well but to succeed in your career, you must be able to take ownership and responsibility.

These are not skills that our conventional educational system currently aims to teach, despite the demand for them in the job market. Employers want candidates with well-rounded personalities, people who are skilled at the work they do and possess the soft-skills to match it. Even the topper of a batch is not guaranteed a job if they don’t possess these qualities, however much excellence their academic record may display.

Usually, a person who has a lot of work experience will not even be able to recall their exact board percentage. It is because it doesn’t hold much importance to their lives or their career. Marks may seem like a life-and-death matter at the time, but they are very short-lived criteria of evaluation that would make way for other successes over the years.

Sure, primary education is essential, it helps people shape their lives and choose the right paths, but education is not the only prerequisite to walk on the road of success. We at The Sports School understand that the conventional norms of education are not what the country needs right now. Instead, it requires institutions that provide holistic development to students so that they can become well-rounded professionals, irrespective of their fields. 

The Sports School is the only institution in India that integrates sports and education to create the perfect training ground for champions of tomorrow. The Sports School offers an educational curriculum that, instead of just including sports, has academics built around sports. We encourage our students, from Grade 1 to Post Graduation, to balance their pursuit for both sporting and academic excellence.

How to Balance Sports & Education While At Home

As the current pandemic situation around the world changing the way people live and limiting everyone’s capability to train outdoors, it’s especially hard on the students who have to balance their academics and sports training now while staying at home. It is important for them to balance both of their pursuits but in an environment different from what they are used to, which eventually leads to stress. Adults recognize the signs of stress and overscheduling and are able to control some of the competing variables, but what about children and their stressors? How does the student-athlete manage to achieve good grades and retain optimal performance on the playing field despite being stuck at home? 

Here are a few tips for balancing Sports and Studies while studying at home: 

 

  • Getting and staying organized:

 

Get organized is vital while at home and maintaining the organized structure on an everyday basis. Use a big desk calendar for school and sports. Write down all due dates for work and papers that your teachers ask during online classes. Write down all sport’s practices and games that your coaches ask you to follow every day. Every week revisit your calendar and make corrections.

 

  • Prioritize and plan:

 

Think about what is important to you and what interests you. If you have more interest in sports training, decide to give up on other activities later. You can simply finish your important work first like training and studies and then do other things if time is available. It will also help you to prioritize things from the beginning and instill a pattern of rewarding yourself when you stick to the schedule. 

 

  • Plan your week/month:

 

Take a look at your calendar and make a note of when you have projects due, tests scheduled, etc. Plan how you will study and when you will study along with your training at home. It is essential to stick to your plan religiously for efficiently balancing both sporting and academic pursuits. 

 

  • Do not procrastinate: 

 

It is imperative to do assignments and homework as soon as you get them, rather than waiting until the last minute. Poor planning and waiting until the last minute will result in missed practices or missed assignments that lead to poor skill development and lead to the piling of studies, which will increase the stress. Understandably, homework and training at home aren’t on top of the fun list, but poor planning and waiting until the last minute could yield negative results. 

 

  • Take advantage of the extra time and research about your Interests: 

 

Getting excited about certain parts of sports training and academics can be difficult. Look into books and other materials that will pique your interest in the subject. If you can be disciplined not to start surfing on the internet without any apparent motive, look for top athletes and other known names in the domains you have interest in to understand their mindset. 

 

  • Staying Safe indoors and maintaining your skillset:

 

It is impossible to ascertain as to when the situation will go back to normal or how life would be after a while. Staying indoors to keep yourself and those around you safe is of utmost importance. However, this does not mean that you can not maintain your skillset. Regular training and nutrition while focusing on academics, can significantly impact your overall personality. It’s better to stay ahead than to catch up.

Life’s demands never end. We only get better at dealing with the challenges that come along by learning from them. With more organization and time management, you will balance anything that life throws your way.  At The Sports School, we are committed to providing students with both academic and sports training opportunities. We are offering online classes and encouraging students to stay in touch with coaches and mentors for maintaining their skills. Our belief that It’s a lot easier to stay ahead than it is to play catches up makes us encourage our students to put in the extra effort and time to prevent them from falling behind.

Building a Career in Sports Management in India

Sports has the power to unite any community, and in a diverse country like India, it surely does. This is the case, not just with cricket but with several other sports like Football, Tennis, and Badminton, who are gaining popularity with each passing day. Sporting events, matches, players, and fans, are all affected by this world, even if they do not play any sport. 

Now people can enter and thrive in this world by representing their countries on the field and helping those who do. The sporting world is much more elaborate than just the players. There are several functions undertaken by people who love and understand the game but work behind the scene to organize matches, monitor team finances, negotiate contracts of athletes, etc. These people are Sports Managers, who have the responsibility to manage all aspects of the game, at all levels – from schools to colleges and from local, national to international standards.

Sports management offers roles for individuals in diverse areas and functionalities. According to the FICCI- International Institute of Sports Management knowledge report, there will be a sharp increase in the number of job opportunities in the sports sector by 2022. Moreover, India has been identified as the key player in the sports market and set to hold more international championships.

Why should Indian students consider Sports Management as a career?  

While India has a long connection with sports contribution at a national and global landscape, there is still a significant shortage of suitably qualified sports management professionals in the country. 

While Sports Management education around the globe has expanded to reflect the consistent growth within the sports industry, these education platforms are not wholly available around India. This ultimately creates an opportunity for students who are or are due to become suitably qualified sports management specialists to realize career aspirations within the sports industry. Arguably, this also creates an opportunity for higher education institutions to develop Sports Management degree programs that provide a professionalized pathway for Indian nationals into the fastest expanding global industry sector.  

 

What are the most sought after sports management career options? 

 

  • Sports Analysts- Several organizations are hiring people who can analyze sportspeople’s different trends and give their insights. Many media companies covering sports recruit analysts for live match analysis and analyze various sports clubs and sportspersons’ performances.

 

  • Sports Managers- Whether it is team management or selling sporting equipment, sports managers are people on the corporate side of sports, who enable athletes and players to perform their best.

 

  • Sports Marketers- If you like marketing and sports, this is the profession for you. Many companies involved in sports development, sports marketing, sporting event management recruit Sports Managers. 

 

  • Sports Event Coordinators- Love sporting events? From small district tournaments to international matches, sports event coordinators are needed for every organized sporting event. 

 

It is extremely vital to recognize that the sports sector has changed and now demands a significant amount from suitably qualified individuals. Therefore, now is the time for individuals to seek out undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Sports Management actively, not only to be part of the sports industry expansion.

At The Sports School, we understand the current need of the Indian Sporting Industry for well-rounded professionals. Our UG and PG courses include Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Sports Management and Master of Science (MSc) in Psychology With Specialization In Sports. That way, our students can learn the basics and have a strong foundation for a career in the Indian Sports Industry. 

 

Sports In India During and Post-COVID 19

It is no surprise that the Coronavirus Pandemic has also hit the sporting world. Who knew back in December last year that this is where we will end up? A situation where all popular sporting events will be canceled for months? For example, The most significant blow for Indian cricket fans was when the Indian Premier League (IPL) was canceled. 

As countries one after another went into lockdown, sports athletes and fans’ hopes have started falling. Every single person involved with some sporting activity or the other has been affected, ranging from playing in the neighborhood park to athletes competing in national and international competitions. Whether it is not heading out to the park to play, in fear of contracting the virus from other kids, or international sporting events being canceled, everyone has been affected. As the fact that this pandemic is here to stay for a long time started settling in, one thing is undoubted- sports in India will never be the same. 

Another challenge is dealing with the long-term impact of coronavirus, especially amidst competition involving several competitors. As we know, the sporting world has changed, and how we cope with these changes will define the future for this industry. The following areas are said to be impacted the most- 

Stadiums 

The idea of playing in front of an empty stadium is not something any athlete would have ever dream of, but here it is. And, it seems like the only safe and logical way to restart play. Even if the stadiums are opened up by the authorities, even die-hard fans of the sports will have severe apprehensions about going to the stadiums to watch games. 

Fan engagements

One of the most fun parts for any athlete is engaging with their fans, from autographs to interviews, to selfies. But that seems like a whole other time now. Players all over the world are finding new ways to stay connected with their fans, especially leveraging social media. From Instagram Live sessions to fun Q & A sessions, sportsmen worldwide are speaking with their fans. 

Player Training 

With everyone confined to their homes to stay safe, many ask if players will be able to perform when allowed to since their training has stopped. Several players have adopted new home training techniques and online monitoring, and sometimes they even give their fans a sneak peek (for example- Virat Kohli lifting weights). 

Even the most optimistic sports fans understand that until a vaccine is made and distributed to the masses, the sporting industry can’t return to its pre-COVID-19 status. The realistic fans understand that it is time to live with the utmost precautions, but all is not lost. 

In a recent conversation with BW Education, Dr. Sankar UV, Director at the Sports School, said, “Despite the fact that our way of playing sports and life, in general, are being affected, I believe that sports have a bright chance of picking up post the lockdown. There will certainly be the aspect of heightened safety protocols for the foreseeable future, and since the people of our country have become more conscious of their health, participating in sports to improve fitness will grow. Once sports resume, social distancing is going to be the new norm, and athletes will undoubtedly be more cautious of their well-being.

The current situation has also increased the awareness and importance of good health and overall fitness, which is The Sports School’s philosophy.”

Flow State: Athletics & Life

What do all elite athletes in different sports have in common, and how can their incredible athleticism be explained? The answer is that their activities can easily be linked to ‘Flow State’. Flow is a particular psychological state of total absorption in a task. In all honesty, the concept of Flow, in and of itself, is a paradoxical state of mind. When in Flow, athletes are absolutely focused on what they are doing, and this heightened attention is associated with several positive factors. 

According to author Steve Kotler who wrote the book ‘The Rise of Superman’, “Flow is a hyper-focused state. We are so focused on the task at hand that everything else falls away. Action and awareness merge. Time flies. Self vanishes. Performance goes through the roof.” 

In general, a number of factors have to be in place for Flow to occur, and it’s certainly not a natural state for most athletes to attain. However, post experiencing the flow state, Athletes are motivated to re-experience Flow because of its intrinsically rewarding nature. Understanding the flow experience is important because it provides a more rewarding performance not only in athletics but also in life. 

During the flow phase, an athlete performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. In essence, it’s characterized by complete absorption in what one does, and a resulting loss in one’s sense of space and time, an air of invincibility.

How Can You Get Into Flow? 

There are certain stages through which an athlete goes to reach the flow state. Here is everything you need to know about these stages: 

Struggle Phase:

The struggle phase commences when an athlete starts to train hard and pushes himself/herself to the limits while researching and brainstorming. All of this process leads to overloading the brain and ultimately causes a sense of extreme frustration, tension, stress & anxiety. This phase is also a result of people’s unwillingness to change themselves and move out of their comfort zone. 

Release Phase:

 Post accepting that the struggle is inevitable, athletes take their minds off the problem entirely and takes a step back to calm down and evaluate. This isn’t the same as watching TV or other distractions that keep the brain busy, but it’s about relaxing the brain so that the subconscious mind can take over the conscious mind. 

Flow State Phase:

This is what is known as being in the zone. The productivity of an athlete during this phase is off the charts and experiences an optimum performance. This superhuman experience happens when the inspiration takes over, and the struggle and release phase account into an opportunity for individuals to move their experience from average to optimal. 

Introspection & Rewiring Phase: 

During this phase, athletes take everything that happened during the peak performance they achieved and understand the possibilities it may provide in the future. Post this; they can rewire their thought process because the flow state is the moment in sports that all athletes are striving to accomplish, and not only is it challenging to enter but also to re-enter at will.

Recovery Phase:

After the dramatic high that athletes feel during the peak performance comes an equally dramatic low. Rebalancing and rebuilding through fulfilling nutritional requirements, mindfulness, and meditation to prepare the endurance for re-entering the Flow Phase.  

The flow state isn’t something exclusive to elite athletes. If you enjoy playing a sport, have fitness goals, or get better at any other activity, finding your Flow can significantly benefit you. Getting into the flow state can increase your life-quality, make you more present, boost your creativity, improve your performance, and make you feel more alive.